The Parts of Your Bathroom Sink

Vessel sinks are designed to be installed to sit on the bathroom counter or slightly recessed into the countertop. They offer a unique style that drop-in or undermount sinks cannot match and are easy to install. Vessels also offer a remodel flexibility that other basins do not have. You can also gain more counter space as they don't take up as much room as a traditional bowl sink would.

Some may see vessel sinks as impractical and awkward due to their increased height. Vessels are also exposed to more chipping or cracking than a recessed basin. Cleaning the sink entails both the inside and outside of the bowl, especially where the vessel meets the countertop.

Drop-in sinks are a popular choice thanks to the ease of installation and cheaper cost compared to undermounts or vessels. These versatile bathroom basins come in materials like porcelain, stainless steel, granite, and a selection of shapes like rectangular, oval and round. Because the basin rests on the countertop and is secured with clamps below the surface, they are steady and don’t need support underneath.

Due to the weight of some drop-in basins, they do need a sturdy countertop to rest on. Drop-ins also take up a bit more counter space than an undermount due to the sink’s lip. The lip also means extra attention to cleaning and keeping the edge sealant free of debris and mildew.

Undermount sinks are gaining in popularity thanks to the cleaner lines and seamless integration to the countertop. Due to the manner of installation, undermounts are made from high-quality materials like stainless steel, cast iron, solid surface composites, and even copper. All contribute to a more modern aesthetic compared to a drop-in basin. These sinks are available in rectangular, oval, round and square shapes so they can fit any counter design.

Because of the materials and lighter weight construction, undermounts may be more expensive than other basin options. Installation can be more difficult because of the mounting clamps and necessary bonding agent to seal to the underside of the counter. Lastly, they can be more of a hassle to clean because you have to get deeper into the bowl versus a drop-in.

Pedestal sinks can add a touch of classic fashion to any style of bathroom, be it traditional or modern. Whether you like details like crown moulding and square geometric shapes or smooth rounded edges, pedestal sinks can look great for many years. Also, pedestal sinks are space-savers, working well in small powder rooms or half-baths.

Pedestals need care in mounting both to the wall and on the base to make sure they are secure and stable for use. Cleaning is easy thanks to the open accessible design.

The drain stopper is the fitting in the sink that allows water to flow into the tailpiece and out through the pipes. By raising or lowering the lift rod, the stopper can be opened or closed. The pop-up stopper is attached to the lift rod with a clevis strap, spring clip, and pivot rod. Some drain stoppers do not use a lift rod and are activated by pressing the stopper directly to open or close.

The drain tailpiece is designed to connect the drain stopper assembly to the p-trap portion of the sink plumbing. P-traps consist of two parts, the J-bend and the trap arm. These allow the sink to be connected to your home’s waste system and then to the sewer line. The curved portion of the assembly holds a little bit of standing water to prevent sewer gasses from entering your bathroom. Using the faucet and running water, the old water is rinsed away and replaced with new.

Located between the water supply pipes and the faucet supply hoses are the water shut off valves. They can also be called stop valves and are installed to shut off the water supply to the sink rather than a whole house shut down. There is one shut off valve for each of the hot and cold water supplies. These valves make faucet repair or replacement an easier task.

4-inch centerset faucets are made for washbasins with three holes and have handles that are 4 inches apart. They combine a spout and either a single control or two handles on a single base unit. Some centerset faucets may have two handles mounted onto a 6-inch plate for a more dramatic appearance. Centersets have a very compact design and are great for small bath spaces. They also are quick and easy to install.

Widespread faucets also work with three-hole basins. They have three separate pieces, two handles and a spout, and the spacing between the handles can range from 6 to 16 inches. Widespreads come in styles like farmhouse, modern, Victorian or many others. The extra space between the handles and spout also may widespread faucets very easy to maintain. And since you have to install three separate pieces, installation may be more difficult than a centerset.

A single-hole bathroom faucet can have either one single handle or two separate handles. Single-hole faucets can be installed on almost any sink, even if it has been drilled for a 3-hole faucet. Using a coordinating base plate, you can mask the two outer holes for a fashionable look. Single-hole faucets offer a more precise water flow and temperature control than two handle faucets. They are also quite simple to install.

With the higher profiles of vessel sinks, a taller vessel sink faucet is necessary to compliment the shape. Typically operated with a single handle, the installation is similar to that of a single-hole faucet. One of the features of vessel faucets is that some have a fuller waterfall water flow, rather than the normal flow through an aerator.