Installing a new sink is an opportunity to add a unique accent to your bathroom, and manufacturers offer a vast array of choices, from countertop bowls (called vessel sinks) to models made from nontraditional materials such as glass, copper or even hand-turned pottery.
Keep in mind, though, that an unconventional sink may lack an overflow port — an important design difference that can pose a plumbing challenge. Most lavatory sinks (including vessel sinks) from major manufacturers feature an overflow port, a small hole located near the top of the basin. If the sink is overfilled, water flows down a channel in the underside of the basin that leads to the drain tailpiece (Photo 1). However, many sinks made from nontraditional materials do not feature any overflow system, so they are incompatible with the drain tailpiece that comes with most new faucets.
Tailpiece hole left exposed
A standard drain tailpiece features a small inlet hole in the side. If the sink has no overflow port, this hole in the tailpiece will be left exposed (Photo 2) and will leak every time water flows down the drain. The inlet also interferes with the drain-piece threads, making it impossible to tighten the locknut and secure the drain to the sink.
Solution: nonoverflow drain
The solution is to replace the standard drain tailpiece with a nonoverflow or vessel-type tailpiece. A nonoverflow drain has no opening in the side of the tailpiece (Photo 3). These drains tend to be slower because the overflow port on a standard drain also acts as a vent, which helps the water drain more quickly and smoothly. Avoid nonoverflow drains with grid covers because the grids can slow drainage even more.
Another option
If you won’t need to plug the drain, choose a drain with an umbrella cover (Photo 4). If you want to be able to plug the drain, choose one with a spring-loaded pop-up stopper (Photo 5). In this case, remember to watch the water level anytime you plug the drain; if you run to answer the phone and leave the water running, you might return to an unwanted waterfall.