Basin Plugs and Wastes

No bathroom basin is truly complete without a basin waste.  A basin waste will close off the drain with a watertight seal and allow you to fill the sink with water. Different types of basin will probably need a different basin waste, to suit your colour scheme and bathroom theme. The UK standard size for a bathroom basin waste is 1 1/4" (or 32mm), which fits standard basin holes and traps. A bath waste and kitchen sink waste are larger, at 1 1/2" (or 40mm).

Do I Need A Slotted Or Unslotted Basin Waste?

As well as choosing one that will go with your basin tap or coloured bottle trap, you also need to consider whether you need a slotted or unslotted basin waste.   Making the wrong choice could lead to flooding and expensive damage.  The easiest way to choose is to check whether your basin has an overflow hole. If the basin has an overflow, choose a slotted waste. If the basin does not have an overflow, choose an unslotted waste. Some basin wastes are universal, meaning they can be adjusted for either type of basin. With this advice, choosing the right basin waste should be easy.

Slotted basin waste: 

A slotted basin waste is designed for a washbasin that has an overflow.  An overflow is a small hole that is positioned near the top of the inner basin, and its purpose is to let any excess water drain away should the basin be overfilled or the tap left running while the drain hole is closed off. A slotted waste has a slot in the side so that when water goes into the overflow hole in the basin, it travels through a hidden channel inside the sink and through this slot in the waste and out through the waste pipe preventing flooding.  

Unslotted Basin Waste:

An unslotted basin waste is designed for a basin without an overflow hole. As there is no overflow channel, the basin waste fitting is completely sealed and has no slots. Unslotted wastes are most often used with countertop basins and designer washbowls. These basins are usually fitted on top of a vanity unit or worktop and may have a simple design without an overflow hole.

Types Of Basin Waste

Bathroom sink wastes come in many styles including click clack, flip top wastes, pop-up or push button wastes and the traditional style with the plug and chain.  The latter is most often used on a traditional bathroom basin with a pedestal, where clicker or click-clack wastes are more popular in modern bathrooms. 

Click Clack Wastes

A click-clack basin waste is sometimes called a push-button waste. They are operated by pushing it down to stop the water from flowing out of the basin and down the drain.  One push closes the waste, allowing the sink to fill with water, and the second push opens it up again to let the water drain away.  

Flip Top Wastes

A flip-top waste has a rotating disc that can be turned to open or close the plughole. These offer a modern look and are easy to operate. 

Traditional Plug and Chain Wastes

A plug and chain waste gives a more traditional appearance. It consists of a simple plug made from rubber or metal which is attached to a chain.  The plug is then manually put into the plug hole when filling the basin with water and manually removed to let the water drain away.  The chain is attached to the basin via a chain stay, which keeps the plug close at hand for when it's needed. This style is particularly well suited to vintage-style bathrooms, traditional basins with a pedestal and classic bathroom suites

Choosing The Right Basin Waste

Basin wastes are available in finishes such as chrome, matt black, brushed brass and brushed nickel, helping them coordinate beautifully with your chosen basin taps and bathroom accessories. They're almost all available in slotted and unslotted versions, making them suitable for a wide range of basin types.

The colour and style are mostly down to personal preference, but the slotted or unslotted design must match the basin. Choosing the correct fitting will ensure that water drains efficiently and allows the overflow system to work as it is intended.