Six Thoughts On Basin Choice

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Last week was ‘Bathroom Week’ on ‘The Block’ and all the contestants were out shopping for basins with the WOW factor.

Fine for the judges. . . . . but some of these design concepts don’t think about the splashing of soapy water that can mean constant cleaning is needed.

Here are some of the practical things I have learned about wash basins.

  • Basins with a flat internal base, or that have a mixer that directs flow at the drain tend to cause more splashes than a bowl shaped basin.
  • For basins on the vanity a straight back that can be sealed against the wall avoids having a hard to clean area behind the basin.
  • A mixer set to the side, rather than centrally, allows you to lean lower over the basin minimising splashing outside the basin.
  • Having a medicine cabinet in front of the basin can prevent you leaning lower over the basin, thus increasing splashing outside the basin.
  • Square mixers result in water drying on the top surface of the mixer rather than running off, so they need cleaning every day.
  • Splashes really show on mirrors so have at least a couple of rows of tiles between the top of the basin and the bottom of the mirror.

2 Comments

  1. John C

    All great points.
    It seems that aesthetics have taken priority over functionality in most things these days.
    Maintenance and cleaning issues are an after thought.
    Even safety aspects are ignored. I was astounded to recently see a plethora of bath taps with fairly sharp, square edges.
    Not a good combination when you add water, soap/detergent and the likelihood of slipping.

    1. Brian Ashworth (Post author)

      The bathroom feature that really does amaze me is the freestanding bath that is 100mm or less from a wall. . . how do you clean in that space????
      Brian

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