Bathroom sink – Content Hub

No matter how large or small your bathroom is, the vanity should be its centrepiece. An attractive, well-constructed vanity adds the conveniences of a sink basin, as well as cabinet storage and countertop space. Here are some tips for choosing the right vanity for your bathroom.

The basics

The bathroom vanity is simply the area around the sink – the sink fixture and the cabinetry around it. You’ll use it just about every day when you wash your hands, brush your teeth, shave or just get a drink of water. Since you’re going to see and use it all the time, it’s important to get the right design for your bathroom – not just for aesthetic purposes, but for practical ones too.

You’ve got an enormous range of options in choosing a bathroom vanity. You can go big or small, and you can choose from an array of different materials – wood, MDF, or laminates, for example. Go with a moisture-resistant material for the frame that surrounds the sink, since it will definitely encounter some wetness after installation. You have a much wider range of choices when it comes to the benchtop. You can get that made with just about any type of material and in any sort of colour. Choose what best matches the rest of your bathroom.

You’ll also want to choose between a single-sink layout and a double-sink layout. Choose the double-sink if you’re concerned about sharing a single sink during those busy mornings or the single-sink layout if you think it’s not going to be that busy!

Picking out the right vanity

Like Goldilocks and the porridge, you need to pick out the vanity that is just right for your bathroom. Size is a consideration. The vanity needs to fit into the bathroom, but not seem out of place. It should be big enough to store all of the things you need, but not so gigantic that it overwhelms the rest of the room. Once you’ve got the size sorted out, choose between a single-sink and a double-sink layout, and make sure you have all the storage space you’ll need.

From there, it’s time for the fun part – picking out the vanity’s design. You have to make sure that the design goes with the rest of the bathroom. An ornate, French-styled vanity goes well with a country-like bathroom, while an opulent marble vanity gives a good burst of class to any luxurious bathroom. Choose carefully, and be sure to keep maintenance in the back of your mind – wood vanities are extremely susceptible to rot and require constant monitoring to make sure they don’t decay.

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Features to look for

Before you start shopping for a bathroom vanity, take a good look at the proportions of your bathroom. Will a rectangular vanity fit best, or should you opt for an oblong shape? Likewise, you’ll also want to prioritise your needs. If you need extra space to store toiletries, medications, cosmetics and hair products, you’ll need to find a vanity that has plenty of storage space and drawers. If you have a large family and your bathroom is a hub of activity in the morning, you might also want to consider getting a vanity with two sink taps.

It’s also a good idea to consider maintenance issues. You may love that benchtop made of exotic hardwoods, but don’t choose it unless you’re willing to do the regular maintenance it will take to keep it oiled and properly cleaned. There are a wide variety of laminate materials that are easier to clean and will look just as good.

Your vanity will more or less set the decorative style for the rest of your bathroom, so if you have a contemporary look, then opt for a streamlined vanity with simple touches. Likewise, if your bathroom is more decorative, you’ll want to choose a more ornate vanity that can be a showpiece for the room.

Beauty in simplicity

Bathroom plumbing is now being routed through the walls rather than underground. You don’t have to hide the plumbing by mounting your toilets and vanities on the floor. Stylish wall-mounted units are now catching on. The older plumbing layout also meant that the space under the counter was fully used up by the sink and its associated pipes. Now, with the plumbing safely out of the way, you can instal actual drawers to the side of the sink instead of making do with drawer facades. These drawers offer ample space to store a number of useful items for convenience and ease of reach. Floor-mounted vanities were also bulky and created the effect of a cramped space. The wall-mounted models look light and trendy, without compromising on the storage capacity inside. They make the bathroom look more spacious, colourful and lively.

By doing a bit of homework and asking for advice from a professional, you’ll be able to find a vanity that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also fits your bathroom — and your budget.

If your bathroom sink is blocked, it can cause significant disruptions in your household, especially when many people need to use it. Not only that, but it can also cause water damage, and that can lead to costly repairs. Here are a few suggestions that you can try if you have a blocked bathroom sink.

Signs your sink drain is blocked.

Your sink drain will give you a few signs that it is developing a clog long before you have a complete blockage. It is always best to address the issue before more severe problems or leaks occur. If you experience any of these signs, you should take action to correct the situation immediately.

A sink draining slowly is usually the first sign
An unusual smell from the sink, such as sewage or a rotten smell
Unique sounds from pipes, such as bangs, rattles, gurgling, or knocks

What causes a blocked sink drain?

Several things can cause your bathroom or kitchen sink to become clogged. Here are a few of the most common causes of a slow draining kitchen sink or a blocked bathroom sink drain.

Hair. When we comb our hair, some falls out and goes down the bathroom sink drain. Even if you are not experiencing significant hair loss, this can build up over time and get caught in the trap. The more people in the household who use the sink, the faster this occurs.
Dirt. Dirt from our bodies can clog the drain. Also, if you let even small food particles go down the sink when you are washing dishes, it can cause a backup over time.
Grease. It would help if you never pour grease down your kitchen sink. As it moves through the pipe, it will solidify and build upon the pipe walls. This will eventually cause a blocked kitchen sink.
Poor water flow. If your system does not have adequate water flow, then it will not be able to flush particles from the system properly. This will allow more hair, dirt, and food particles to accumulate faster.
Foreign objects. Accidentally letting foreign objects, such as sand when cleaning out a fishbowl, or cat litter can cause a clog as it builds up. It is always best to rinse out these items outside, rather than letting them go down the drain.

How to unblock a drain?

The most common method for clearing a blocked kitchen sink drain is with a plunger. This method uses force and pressure to try to break the clog-free and allow it to move through the pipes. Here are the steps to using a sink plunger.

1. Add or remove water. You will need a small amount of water in the sink to make plunging work. You should probably start with about 10 centimetres or so. If the sink is too full, you will need to remove some to prevent water from overflowing onto your floor.
2. Plug and holes or drains. If you have a double sink, use the sink stopper to close one side of the sink.
3. Submerge plunger in water. Place the rubber end of a plain cup plunger into the water right above the drain hole.
4. Clear plunger of air. Tilt the plunger slightly to one side to allow any air to escape.
5. Position and plunge. Make a tight seal around the drain opening. Grab the handle of the plunger and move it up and down forcefully. This will get more difficult as pressure builds up.
6. Release and clear. Hopefully, you will feel something let loose and start flowing. When this happens, you can remove the plunger and run plenty of hot water down the sink to clear it.

A white double sink basin with water pouring out of each tap. — An unclogged drain is important to the effectiveness of your home plumbing system / Source: Pn Plumbing And Gas

Clearing a drain without a plunger

If you do not have a plunger, there are still some things that you can try to unclog your blocked sink drain.

Baking soda. Pouring a simple box of baking soda down the sink can sometimes clear a clog. You might need to allow this to sit in the sink a few hours or overnight to work.
Sodium hydroxide. This is known as caustic soda or lye. Be extremely careful when using caustic soda on your pipes. It can cause some nasty burns. Also, it can damage some types of lines, so be sure to read and follow the directions on the package.
Bent wire/hanger. If the problem is hair stuck in the trap just below the drain, then using a bent wire of coat hanger with a hook, in the end, can help to fish out the hair and clear the drain. You can also use a coat hanger if the problem is a foreign object.
Boiling water. If the problem is grease or another buildup on the sides of the pipe, then pouring boiling water down the drain can clear it in some cases.
Vinegar. Vinegar can help to clear grease or other food particles. One popular method is to pour baking soda down the drain first and then follow with vinegar. The fizzing action can remove the clog. You might have to do this several times for it to work.
Dish detergent. Pouring straight dish detergent down the sink and allowing it to sit in the sink for a few minutes can clear some clogs, especially if the problem is grease.

Bathroom sink vs kitchen sink:

The location of the sink might be a factor in determining which method to try first to unclog a blocked drain. Determining what is causing the clog is the first step in the process.

Bathroom sink. Hair and foreign objects are the most common cause of clogs in bathroom sinks. Hair goes down the drain and can cause a clog over time. Also, items are sometimes dropped down the drain when putting on makeup or doing other personal care. In this case, the best-clogged bathroom sink drain solutions are to try to remove the offending object using a bent wire. However, sometimes, a backed-up sink can mean a clogged sewer drain. If both the sink and shower or tub are slow draining, it can be signs of a sewer drain problem.

Large neutral coloured bathroom with round mirror sink and wall mounted toilet — Be sure to keep all aspects of your bathroom clean, including the sink / Source: chrome projects

Kitchen sink. The most common type of kitchen drain clog involves grease or food particles that have slipped down the drain. For this type of clog, trying to dissolve the offending substance is the best choice. You might try boiling water, baking soda, vinegar, or plain dish soap to clear these types of clogs. It might be noted that some commercial products are available for unclogging sinks. Still, they can damage pipes, so be sure to read the label to make sure that it is safe before using it.

Large kitchen with island bench, mirrored splashback and timber cabinetry. — Don’t let a clogged drain affect your kitchen duties / Source: W Plumbing Partners

Benefits of a hiring a professional plumber

If you have tried the above solutions and nothing has worked, then it might be time to call in a professional plumber. Here are some of the advantages.

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Professional. A plumber often knows exactly what the problem is right away. They have the tools and proven methods for taking care of the problem quickly and efficiently.
Knowledgeable. A plumber knows the best way to unclog a sink without damaging your pipes or causing water damage to your floors and cabinets.
Eliminates smell. Unclogging a sink by yourself can be smelly and messy. A professional can often do it without the odour and mess.
Reduces the chance of clogging reoccurring. A professional can often take measures that will prevent the clog from reoccurring. They can also give you valuable advice to help you take better care of your sink in the future.
Saves money over time. Unclogging a pipe yourself takes time. Also, a professional can often help you to avoid costly repairs in the future.