Soapstone Sink Drains
Here is what the new drains look like on my refurbished 2-basin soapstone sink.
I had a problem with replacing the drains on the sink last year. The standard hardware is made for thin basins, but the stone is 1-1/8" thick. I found a good solution at a plumbing supply house.
They make extended drains, as shown in the photos below. A bonus with these drains is a nice deep strainer basket that serves as a stopper when the wire loop handle is flipped the right way.
Because the old drain was a smaller diameter than the new one, I had to router out a larger inset. It was tough on the router bit, but it worked. I then set the drain in a bead of silicone sealant before tightening the nut underneath. It came with a thin fiber washer, which goes right above the nut.
I had a problem with replacing the drains on the sink last year. The standard hardware is made for thin basins, but the stone is 1-1/8" thick. I found a good solution at a plumbing supply house.
They make extended drains, as shown in the photos below. A bonus with these drains is a nice deep strainer basket that serves as a stopper when the wire loop handle is flipped the right way.
Because the old drain was a smaller diameter than the new one, I had to router out a larger inset. It was tough on the router bit, but it worked. I then set the drain in a bead of silicone sealant before tightening the nut underneath. It came with a thin fiber washer, which goes right above the nut.
(photos refreshed 9/8/14)
posted by Pheidias at 11:19 PM
8 Comments:
You may have saved the soapstone sink in my basement with this idea...thanks!!!!
Thanks for sharing it.
Awesome post! I have to do the exact same thing with a similar two-basin sink. Could you share the construction of the box frame you built for this? My problem is that I am building a kitchen around this, so I also have to get the height correct.
John Gillis
Arlington, MA
Nice job. I will bring these pictures with me to the plumbing supply place.
Can you share the box construction details as well?
I am building a basement kitchen and will also have to make sure the height will be level to a countertop and cabinets, which I have yet to order ...
John Gillis
Arlington, MA
The construction of the frame is simple. It's all 2x4s glued and screwed with polyurethane glue (like Gorilla Glue) and 3" and 4" drywall screws.
The top is a simple rectangle.
The legs are two pieces of 2x4 together in an L shape as seen from the top, and screwed together with 3" screws and to the top frame with 4" screws at an angle.
The diagonals are fit in and screwed to the top frame and legs with 4" screws.
Everything is glued.
The sink rests on two 2x4s laid flat across the frame (glued and screwed of course). Because the front of the sink is at an angle, there is a slight slope to the back drains.
Because there is no movement I saw no need for gussets or splice plates.
Hope this helps - there's another picture on the previous post.
Really great project, nice work!
I'm currently overhauling a two basin soapstone tub and I have two questions. Where did you find old brass faucets to use? (Mine are old, but not operating 100% and I can't figure out where to get a refurbish kit for them) and do you have a link to the drains you used? I'm going to have a hell of a time getting the old drains out of the tub, but want to make sure I have a replacement before I go hacking away :)
Thanks in advance!
C.W. - It was a while ago, and we sold the house 5 years ago, but I'll try to remember. I think the faucets were there already, but if I went looking I would look for an architectural salvage place. Habitat for Humanity has stores with salvaged and donated goods, and here in Western New York there is another store that sells the same sort of thing. Or you could get some faucet packing and rebuild them if they are not too far gone. Most hardware stores and Amazon sell it and you can find directions how to use it online.
As for the drains, I got them at a local plumbing store that's not even in business anymore. I was able to find one online that at least will give you an idea what to look for, called a "Long shank utility drain". This one is costly and maybe a little fancier than you need, but it's a start: https://deabath.com/product/long-shank-utility-drain/.
Anyway, thanks for the comment and the opportunity to look back on the project.
Good luck!
When I say the faucets were there, I mean I dismantled the existing plumbing and re-used the faucets, routing the piping out of the way to the left of the sink.
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