Bathroom Basin Suggestions?

PipeGuy

Last year I remodeled our tiny masterbath. It included installing one of these sinks.

The problem I want to resolve is this: the sink drains extremely slowly. In fact, depending upon the content of the water, it often stops draining before the sink is empty.
The problem seems to stem from the OEM tailpipe. It has a fixed grate (strainer) that consists of about (20) 1/4" holes (I suppose this keeps valuables from going down the drain). The holes are so small that the surface tension of water in the basin actually keeps it from venting and draining properly. Surprisingly enough, the basin will not fill to overflowing even with both faucets fully open.
Can someone recoomend a particular brand / style of tailpipe I might install that will drain better?

firemike

I have installed a couple of these in customers houses, both did the same thing. Talked to the wholesaler, they said it is normal for them, although the ones I installed never stopped draining before it was empty. It seemed like the lower the water level got in the bowl, the slower it drained though, I assume the lower head pressure had something to do with that. Thought about enlarging the holes in the strainer,but the customer said she would live with it like that.

It would be intersting to find out if there is a solution for future projects.

Mike Finley

I've seen this problem on numerous vessel sinks, everybody who makes these sinks seems more concerned with making them pretty and not about how somebody will actually use them.

PipeGuy

Yeah, like it should be normal to have to stand around and wait to clean up scum EVERY time one uses the sink. What a lame design.

I enlarged the tree holes closest to the center of the strainer without much effect (other than making it look butchered). The outermost holes areso close to the tailpipe casting itself that they can't be enlargeed.
I suppose I'll spend a couple of hours poking around in plumbing supply houses to see what I can find. I don't like the idea of an unprotected drain opening but I just might have to live with it - I hate the slow drain.

PipeGuy

That's because women are buying them, not men.