Overhead sink on the countertop in the bathroom: how to choose + installation manual

Compared with the usual types of plumbing fixtures, a washbasin on the countertop in the bathroom allows more efficient use of space. This is true not only for small bathrooms - in large rooms you can also find application for a vacant place.

We will tell you how to choose the best for you sink sink. We will describe in detail how the selected plumbing fixture should be installed on the countertop. In the article we presented, valuable recommendations are given, the observance of which will ensure an impeccable result of the efforts made.

Features of the selection and installation of washbasins

When you become interested in existing types of overhead washbasin bowls, you get the impression that the fantasies of the designers have finally given free rein after many decades of forced creative abstinence.

And indeed, it is on-board options due to their original design that allow you to create such a variety of forms.

Shapes and sizes of overhead sinks

There are models so unusual that it is simply impossible to install them in the first bathroom that comes across, you need to create an interior based on the design of this sink itself. Manufacturers produce them in the form of a cup, an open flower bud, a flowing stream of water.

To find a suitable version of the washbasin will not be difficult at all, including for the interior in the steampunk style

But choosing a false sink on the countertop for the bathroom, you need to evaluate not only the design, but also the convenience of subsequent operation.

For example, small washbasins can only be used for washing hands, and even washing the child in them is uncomfortable, since water is sprayed outside the bowl. About that, to wash your hair or refresh large things when cleaning, and there can be no question.

Small overhead sinks are more likely an option for a guest bedroom in a large house, plumbing, which you won’t have to use often

Washbasins are oval, round, triangular, rectangular. Overhead shells of unusual, abstract forms are also common, in the form of a drop, a boat, a stone with a depression, a flower. All of them come in different depths and widths - each one chooses a suitable size individually.

In small bathrooms, the rational use of space can be achieved through several methods: a functional cabinet is placed under the washbasin, not too wide for the sink to protrude, but there is room for movement. A flush toilet device is built into the cabinet

Bowl-shaped sinks on the countertop have gained widespread popularity. Small models are not very convenient, it is unlikely to wash in them without wetting the countertop. But the large washbasins are both beautiful and practical.

The size and depth of the sink is especially important if you use a tabletop made of materials that do not tolerate contact with water - MDF or wood

Features of the choice of sinks on the countertop

The first thing you need to pay attention to when buying is having a tap hole. It is not always necessary, because the mixer can be used in common - for the bathtub and sink. But most often, in the case of the overhead sink, a freestanding mixer is installed on the countertop or a faucet built into the wall is connected.

If you really liked the model, and it has a hole for the mixer, installation of which is not necessary, then in this case it can be closed with a decorative cover, colored or chrome

Another important point in choosing counter top sink - the presence of an overflow hole that protects against flooding in the case of using a sink with a closed drain. The overflow can be through or integrated into the sink, which will be connected inside it with a common outlet to the siphon.

If the overflow hole is through, then a special siphon is connected to it with separate water outlets from overflow and discharge, then connected to one outlet.

The finer the sink, the lower the mixer should be, otherwise the water will spray past the bowl

Before purchasing, it is necessary to carefully measure the installation location of the sink, so as not to make a mistake with the size, and when buying the product, make sure that there are no cracks, chips.

Material for the production of washbasins

Despite the constant search by designers for new ideas, materials for production, the most popular are the washbasins from sanitary ware and sanitary ware. This material is resistant to the formation of scratches, cracks, does not collapse under the influence of temperature changes.

And although they can crack due to a blow, but, nevertheless, this happens quite rarely. The traditional white color of the material is suitable for almost any design.

Glass sinks look airy and elegant. The disadvantage of such washbasins is already apparent after the start of their use - each drop of water, drying up, leaves a mark. Since it is unlikely that someone will wipe it after each use, then such a wash basin does not look very neat. Frosted glass behaves much better from this point of view.

Sinks made of natural or artificial stone can be made of marble, stone chips, sand and a binder. It would seem that this is a very durable material, but even with stone products there may be problems with improper use - small cracks appear, or even crack.

How to properly care for such plumbing, the manufacturer describes in the instructions for the product. Most often there are recommendations to wipe them dry, do not use too hot water.

Like any product made of natural material, the overlaid stone sink always looks expensive and refined.

Wood shells are also produced; for this, hard rocks with a beautiful texture are used. Washbasins are of interest already by the choice of material, and in combination with a successful design can become a real decoration of the bathroom.

The wood from which plumbing fixtures are made is treated with special oils that prevent water from penetrating into its pores. Caring for such a sink is quite complicated. It can not be cleaned with detergents with a high content of acids or alkalis, abrasive substances.

For the production of sinks made of natural wood, oak, teak, and bamboo are used. Some of them require periodic treatment with special oils.

Acrylic shells are also produced. The material is more familiar in connection with the production of bathtubs, but the washbasins from it are also deservedly popular. Strength, lightness, resistance to temperature changes, ease of maintenance, as well as the ability to create the most incredible design solutions make acrylic attractive for buyers and manufacturers.

Is the sink above the washing machine comfortable?

If the bathroom is disastrously small, the sink can be installed on the countertop above the washing machine. This will free up the space that a conventional plumbing fixture could take, and in its place you can install a spacious laundry basket, make a cabinet for detergents, cleaning supplies.

To install the sink on the countertop located above the washing machine, choose low, or rather even flat models

But, perhaps, this option is not suitable for a house in which all or some members of the family are below average growth, since the sink installed on the countertop above the washing machine will be located quite high.

Above the machine you can install a sink - a water lily. For it, it is not necessary to install the tabletop as a support - it is suspended on the wall, the connected siphon is located as close to it as possible

The main difference water lily sinks from invoices - the presence of mounting elements for fixing on the wall. This solution looks less sophisticated, but in small bathtubs it is the only possible one.

So that the future use of the false sink on the bathroom countertop does not cause inconvenience, it is necessary to calculate its height before installation.

You need to focus on the standard height of the wash zone - about 0.8-0.85 m, while the permissible deviations are about 20 mm. The approximate height of the washing machine is 85 cm. The thickness of the countertops can be from 2 to 7 mm.

This should also add the height of the shell, which can be very different. Therefore, having carefully calculated all the quantities, it is already possible to decide whether or not to refuse the installation sinks above the washing machine.

There should still be some space between the countertop and the washing machine, because the equipment creates strong vibrations during operation

When installing the sink for the wash zone above the washing machine, care must also be taken to correctly position the equipment. Vibrational manifestations may make the use of countertops and sinks impossible.

Therefore, from all sides from the pedestal they leave a small gap. It is necessary even if the machine has an imbalance control function.

You can “recover” a few centimeters if you use the built-in sink. The washbasin is placed a little to the side of the washing machine and is "drowned" in the countertop. To do this, use special built-in or as they are also called mortise sinks

Which worktop to choose under the sink?

The overhead washbasin does not have mounts for wall mounting and can be installed on any flat surface. It can be a curbstone or a shelf fixed in the wall from MDF, wood, artificial or natural stone, glass.

For installation under the washbasin countertops made of MDF use a material with a laminated coating. The coating itself is not afraid of moisture, but at the joints between it and the edge or in places of cut (for example, if the wash basin is built into the cut-out of the countertop), the plate, when wet, absorbs water. This leads to its swelling and delamination of the laminate.

You can use MDF worktops, but you need to do this correctly - protect from prolonged contact with water, wipe dry after use

A wood worktop is a beautiful and environmental material that fully justifies its use both in terms of aesthetics and in terms of practicality. But there is one thing.

Wood itself does not serve well not only in direct contact with water, but also in conditions of high humidity. Therefore, it is important that the manufacturer of such products knows his job well - after all, properly processed material can even be used for the manufacture of bathtubs and sinks.

Care for the wooden worktop should be approximately the same as for the product made of MDF - wipe dry, protect from mechanical damage

Natural stone worktops are most often used under built-in types of sinks or a shell is cut out in them. But as a support under the washbasin washbasin, they can also be considered, most importantly, to select compatible materials.

Another option for designing a surface under the washbasin is tiling or mosaic. The basis can be a shelf, a niche or a ledge of the wall. It’s easy to take care of such a countertop, it is not afraid of moisture, does not scratch, it does not show any stains

Glass surfaces are suitable for interiors in the style of Hi-Tech, minimalism. They are made of fairly thick and durable glass, and if you do not subject them to shock, you can call it quite safe. Glass is not afraid of moisture and can be washed with any detergent. One of the main disadvantages of the material is traces of water drops, stains.

The glass countertop gives the impression that the wash basin soars in the air. Beautiful chrome-plated siphons are used to connect to the sewage system.

How to install an overhead washbasin?

The sink mounted on the countertop is connected in almost the same way as the usual models for us. The only significant difference is that it does not need to be fixed to the wall.

Procedure for installing the overhead sink:

1. They block the water supply with hot and cold water.
2. Shut-off valves for eyeliner are screwed to sockets of cold and hot water.
3. To seal the threads, wind the FUM-tape or flax with a special paste. Enough 5 turns of the tape in a clockwise direction. High-quality wound, it does not slip into the hole, completely closes the thread.
4. The cranes are twisted clockwise. If they are angular, they must be turned with the hole up.
5. On each of the taps install a hose-liner and tighten by hand. The presence of sealing gum eliminates the need to use gaskets for this connection.
6. Next, you need to check the quality of the connection of taps and hoses - turn on the water, make sure that there are no leaks. At the same time, pipes and hoses are washed so that the dirt accumulated in them does not get into the mixer.
7. Then they establish a stand on a constant place or carry out the installation of countertops and shelves.
8. If necessary, two holes for a sewer pipe are drilled in the cabinet. The first hole is made at the bottom of the cabinet. To do this, measure the distance from the wall to the center of the drain neck in the floor. Measure and mark the same distance from the edge of the cabinet and drill a hole using a drill with a round nozzle.
9. If there are several shelves inside the cabinet, they also make a hole in them, but of a smaller diameter.
10. With the help of adjustable legs, the cabinet is set up according to the level.
11. The next step is to install the siphon. Install the corrugated tube with the end with a large diameter in the drain.The upper end is connected to the body of the siphon, adjust the length of the corrugated tube.
12. A siphon grill is screwed onto the sink. Take a rubber ring designed to seal the connection with the drain hole of the washbasin, and put on a siphon. Hand tighten the union nut.

Installation of the mixer consists in connecting to it flexible hoses, fixing brackets.

In the case of mounting the sink on a shelf screwed to the wall, it is necessary to replace the usual sanitary siphon with a beautiful nickel-plated analogue. It is not very cheap, but it will not only not spoil the interior with its appearance, but also be able to complement and decorate it.

The siphon is connected without special tools. All parts are twisted by hand, without excessive force

With the specifics of the assembly and fastening of the design of the curbstone with a sink in the bathroom will acquaint next article, which describes in detail the process of choosing furniture and plumbing, as well as the installation procedure itself.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. How to install the sink on the stand:

Video # 2. Overhead bath: 75 ideas for your home in the photo:

Summing up, I want to say that the overhead sink in the bathroom is very beautiful, not beaten and just functional.

Moving away from the traditional perception of the bathroom only as a place for hygienic procedures, you understand that it can become a full-fledged relaxation room. Therefore, I want to make the room stylish, cozy and harmonious, and the overhead sink will not take the last place here.

Want to talk about how to assemble a design from a false sink with a countertop with your own hands? Have a desire to share the technological subtleties known only to you? Please write comments in the block below the text of the article, ask questions, post a photo on the topic.