Sink and Basin Plumbing.Done Right.

Slow drains

A slow sink is usually a blocked trap or waste pipe. We clear it and check the drain behind it.

What we do

We clear the trap and waste, replace worn parts, fit new taps and traps and install new sinks and basins.

Kitchen sinks

Food waste and grease are common. We can fit strainers and advise on avoiding blockages.

Bathroom basins

Hair and soap build up. We clear and replace parts as needed.

Materials and what suits your home

Sinks are made from stainless steel, ceramic, composite and stone. Stainless is common in kitchens and is light and durable. Ceramic basins are common in bathrooms and are easy to clean. Each needs the right mounting and sealant. A heavy stone benchtop or a large undermount sink needs good support underneath.

Tell the plumber what you are fitting, and have the product ready before the day, because fitting depends on the actual unit and its instructions.

Disposal units and filter taps

If you are adding a waste disposal unit, an instant boiling water tap or a filter tap under the sink, plan the space first. These need power, water or both, and take up cupboard room. Think about where bins, cleaning supplies and plumbing will all fit.

Overflows and plugs

Most basins have an overflow slot that stops the bowl spilling. If the overflow is blocked or leaks, it can drip into the cabinet. Pop-up plugs can jam or leak at the linkage behind the tap. These are usually small fixes once someone looks.

Safe use and cleaning

Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds or harsh chemicals down sinks. Clean taps and strainers regularly. Wipe up spills near the cabinet and check under the sink once a month for damp.

Choosing a sink or basin that suits the room

Depth, bowl size and mounting style change how a sink works day to day. A deep single bowl suits large pots, while a double bowl suits people who like to soak and rinse. A basin that is too small splashes onto the vanity. Check the tap hole count before you buy a tap, since a mixer needs one hole and separate hot and cold taps need two.

Take the model number or a photo of the product label to your plumber, so fittings and waste outlets match.

Traps, wastes and what lives under the sink

Under every sink sits a trap that holds a plug of water to stop sewer smells coming up. Slow drainage, gurgling or a smell often starts here. A trap can be cleaned, but a corroded or cracked one should be replaced. Check the flexible hoses to the taps too, as old braided hoses can fail without warning. If you store cleaning products under the sink, look for drips every few months.

Fixing leaks around the bench

Water around the base of a tap can come from the tap itself, from a loose nut under the bench or from a cracked basin. Dry the area, wipe it and watch where the first drop appears. A silicone seal that has aged can let water under a basin or sink and into a cupboard, where it swells the carcass. Resealing is cheaper than replacing a damaged cabinet.

Installing a new sink in an old bench

Bench cut-outs are a fixed size, and a new sink has to fit. Measure the opening and check the manufacturer's template. A stone bench cannot easily be recut, so a mismatch is costly. A plumber and a cabinetmaker or stonemason may need to coordinate on the day.

Disposal units, dishwashers and the waste line

A kitchen sink shared with a dishwasher or a food waste disposer puts more demand on the waste line. If you add one of these, check that the trap, the waste pipe size and the connection suit it. A poorly connected dishwasher waste can let dirty water back into the sink.

Kitchen sinks: bowls, depth and drainage

A deep bowl makes it easier to wash large pots, and a double bowl suits people who rinse and soak. A kitchen sink needs a waste that can handle food scraps, so a basket strainer and a properly sized trap are important. A dishwasher connected to the same waste adds demand, so check the trap and the vent arrangement.

Bathroom basins and vanities

A vanity basin hides the plumbing in a cabinet, so access matters. Check that the trap and isolation valves can be reached, and that the waste is at the right height for the cabinet. Wall-hung basins need a strong fixing and in-wall pipes that match, so plan them before the wall is lined.

Waste smells and traps

A bad smell from a sink or basin often comes from a dry or dirty trap, a vent problem or a blocked waste. Run water in rarely used basins and clean the trap.

If the smell is constant, the plumber checks venting and the waste line.

Slow draining sinks and basins

Slow drainage is usually build-up in the trap or waste. Bathroom basins collect hair and soap. Kitchen sinks collect grease. Cleaning the trap often fixes it.

If cleaning does not help, the blockage is further along the pipe.

Replacing a sink or basin

A replacement needs the right cut-out size, the correct tap holes, and a waste and trap that fit. Take measurements and the model numbers to the plumber. Old pipes may need new flexible hoses and isolation valves, which is a good time to add them.

After fitting, the plumber should test for leaks and run water through the waste. Ask where the isolation valves are.

Guides worth reading

• What Causes a Leaking Tap and How to Fix It

Related plumbing services

• Leaking Taps: Dripping taps fixed with new washers, cartridges or full replacement.
• Tap and Mixer Installation: New kitchen, bathroom and laundry taps and mixers fitted properly.
• Toilet Repairs and Installation: Running, leaking and faulty toilets repaired, plus new toilet installation.
• Shower Repairs: Leaking, dripping and low-flow showers repaired.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.