In just a couple of years, overhead bathroom sinks have gone from obscure to popular and in-demand sanitary ware. They differ not only in ease of installation, but also in their original design, an extensive range. Today on the market you can see models of sinks from a number of the world's leading manufacturers of the most diverse forms. Features and disadvantages of overhead washbasins are to be studied today.
Sink: pros and cons
Never encountered such plumbing and have no idea how the design looks like? Everything is quite simple - this is a sink standing on a countertop or any other horizontal surface. The bottom of the sink is flat, which allows it to be mounted on any surface, above a cabinet or even a washing machine.
Speaking about the advantages of a countertop sink in the home, there are several main pros, which will be discussed in more detail.
Space saving
The use of such plumbing is ergonomic, because with a countertop sink on a hanging shelf above the washing machine, you save space. This is especially valuable in small apartments, where the bathroom is not spacious. Yes, the place thatpreviously occupied by a bulky cabinet with a washbasin, can be used for other purposes. For example, place a heated towel rail there.
Foundation
The countertop will serve as a support, which will definitely not be superfluous in the bathroom. This is a good addition to which you can put the necessary funds and always have them at hand.
Mounting and installation
Installing an overhead bathroom sink can be done anywhere, and it's easy to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s a corner, a ledge or a niche, the only prerequisite is the presence of a countertop or any other reliable stand for plumbing.
Connect the overlay bowl in almost the same way as a regular one. Drain hoses are passed through the hole made in the countertop. Often, installation is carried out by means of a hidden installation of a drainage system in the wall. This is a new and sought-after technology that makes the sink look more impressive.
To add to this benefit, check out the Overhead Bowl Installation Chart to see how easy it is.
How the installation process of the structure looks like
The scheme for installing a countertop sink is somewhat similar to installing a conventional kitchen sink. The only caveat is the insert into the countertop, but this feature does not apply to the shortcomings. When making a slot for the siphon in the countertop, be sure to be careful. So, the hole for the siphon on the surface of the cabinet or countertop must exactly match the size of the drain pipe so that the part smoothly passes through it. Don't cut a big holeso that the pipe does not fall out. The flask with the siphon is put on below.
How to install the faucet
Plumbers recommend using one of the three methods presented during installation of the faucet:
- There are overhead bathroom sinks, which have a connector for a mixer, that's where it is mounted. It is worth noting that in this case, the hole in the mixer is made a little larger in diameter than expected for the pipe.
- If there is no hole in the sink, you can embed the faucet into the cabinet itself or countertop.
- Another mounting option is a wall. You can install a faucet in the same way as a bathroom faucet, hiding everything unnecessary.
To mount the mixer, you can purchase a special siphon equipped with a clamping nut, although it is quite possible to do without such an addition.
In principle, you are familiar with the basics of installing a faucet and the features of installing an overhead bowl-sink in the bathroom. As you can see, the workflow is practically the same as installing classic sinks.
Sealing
To achieve high-quality sealing of such a design is much easier. This helps to increase the service life, reduce the risk of system leakage, and therefore get rid of possible problems with the formation of fungi and mold, which love moisture so much.
Design
It would also be useful to mention the attractive appearance of overhead shells. They look unusual, and some even creative. This brings a touch of individuality to the interior of the room and allows you to beat the style. Thanks to a large assortment, choosing a bowl is not a problem. And the most ordinary washbasin of the overhead type becomes a bright accent point in the bathroom composition.
Some disadvantages of overhead sinks
As such, the negative qualities of this type of plumbing are not found. The only error is hidden behind the additional installation costs, except for the plumbing itself, countertops or cabinets for a countertop sink in the bathroom, which must be made of high-quality moisture-resistant material.
Sink selection details
During the selection of plumbing, there are some difficulties and nuances associated with the characteristics of products. They may be positive or problematic in some circumstances. Therefore, when buying a sink, you should pay attention to their distinctive characteristics: the material used for manufacturing and the shape of the washbasins. Differences and combinations of these two parameters give a considerable number of plumbing models for a reasonable choice.
In the showroom or store you can look through the catalog of furniture and sanitary ware for the bathroom with colorful photos and full description of the goods. This is an indisputable advantage of buying in a specialized place - the opportunity to view and study the details and characteristics of the countertop bathroom sink.
It's also good that the store will help you make a choice and tell you which material is best for today.
Attention: What is the best material for sinks
Raw materials and their quality determine the strength, durability and reliability of the product. Separate emphasis is placed on the appearance of the shell, since it is supposed to visually review not only the inner surface of the bowl, but also the outer one. Therefore, the level of quality of faience or ceramics, which are most often used in production, is important. The advantages of overhead bathroom sinks include low price and familiar care.
Lovers of antiquity prefer copper and brass bowls, which are truly considered exotic. It is worth taking care of such products more carefully, and the process is troublesome. Since regular use of special products is required to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the shells.
Glass washbasins are no less popular. They are stylish, inexpensive and require little maintenance.
There are overhead bowls made of natural and artificial stone. But to install a natural sink, you need to install a special countertop that can withstand the weight of plumbing.
Some customers like acrylic substitute sanitary ware - it's cheap and easy to maintain.
Furniture features for overhead sinks
Installing a countertop sink in a bathroom is an asset in itself. Because it requires an additionalsupports, then here you can choose a cabinet, and a countertop, and a shelf. Specially designed furniture allows you to hide all the "insides" of plumbing: couplings, tubes, hoses.
Undoubtedly, the property of moisture resistance for furniture is a big plus, because it is supposed to be used in a room with increased formation of steam and moisture accumulation.
The best option for a countertop under the sink is a surface made of natural marble or artificial stone. Special furniture or countertops can usually be purchased as a kit from a plumbing supply store. Most often, this is a surface made to standard sizes.
Bathroom cabinets are equipped with special drawers or shelves where you can store everything you need. So you can free up part of the room, thereby saving usable space.
Price as an undeniable advantage of overhead sinks
Price is another advantage that cannot be ignored. The cost of a countertop bathroom sink is different and largely depends on the country of origin.
Sinks of domestic production are the cheapest. For oriental overhead sinks, prices start at 3,000 rubles.
Europe-made earthenware products will cost several times more, the price range is from 7,000 to 41,000 rubles.
The most expensive option is products from an Indian manufacturer, made of natural onyx, granite, bas alt. Behindsuch a pleasure will have to be paid from 27,000, not to mention more solid models related to LUXERY-class plumbing, the cost of which reaches several hundred thousand rubles.
Summing up, I would like to say that overhead bowl sinks for bathroom countertops have earned their inherent popularity due to their originality and a lot of advantages.
