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    sheilalynne's Avatar
    sheilalynne Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 26, 2007, 05:47 PM
    Sink w/o overflow hole
    I just had a home inspection on a house I am considering buying. The inspector mentioned that the 2nd floor bathroom sinks did not have overflow holes. Is this a Uniform Plumbing Code violation?
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
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    #2

    Apr 26, 2007, 06:21 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by sheilalynne
    I just had a home inspection on a house I am considering buying. The inspector mentioned that the 2nd floor bathroom sinks did not have overflow holes. Is this a Uniform Plumbing Code violation?
    It is, but most Plumbing Inspectors have long ago given up the fight against them and just sign the job off.

    The last time I had this discussion with a Home Inspector I pointed out that kitchen sinks and laundry sinks also do not have overflow holes, nor is there any specific mandate requiring them.

    The flip side, of course, is that a lavatory has a smaller capacity and is more likely to overflow than a kitchen sink or laundry sink.

    The bottom line is, if the previous homeowner took out permits for the installation of the lav's sans overflows and the inspector signed off the job anyway, then the previous owner bears no responsibility for any damages incurred if the new homeowner overflows the lavatory.

    Having said all that -- If you like the house and are a bit forgetful at times, then buy the house and spend the money to have a Plumber replace the lavatories with sinks that have overflows.
    letmetellu's Avatar
    letmetellu Posts: 3,151, Reputation: 317
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    #3

    Apr 26, 2007, 08:34 PM
    The so called overflow hole is not the only purpose for the hole, as you can tell it will not take much of a flow of water to over come the amount of water that would be going down the hole. The hole's main purpose is to provide air under the pop-up stopper to keep it from vapor locking with a big bubble under it and slowing down the drainage.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #4

    Apr 26, 2007, 09:16 PM
    No, but it does mean it is very easy to overflow the sink, and it gives you something to ask for a couple hundred more dollars off the asking price.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #5

    Apr 28, 2007, 07:21 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by sheilalynne
    I just had a home inspection on a house I am considering buying. The inspector mentioned that the 2nd floor bathroom sinks did not have overflow holes. Is this a Uniform Plumbing Code violation?
    These lavatories without overflow openings, are they vessel sinks? Cheers, Tom
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    sheilalynne Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Apr 28, 2007, 08:58 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1
    These lavatories without overflow openings, are they vessel sinks? Cheers, Tom

    I'm sorry I am not sure what vessel sinks are... the double sink is in the master bathroom.
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #7

    Apr 28, 2007, 09:19 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by sheilalynne
    I'm sorry I am not sure what vessel sinks are...the double sink is in the master bathroom.
    A vessel sink looks like this, (see image) and has no overflow. Regards, Tom
    sheilalynne's Avatar
    sheilalynne Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Apr 28, 2007, 09:22 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1
    A vessel sink looks like this, (see image) and has no overflow. Regards, Tom
    No, these sinks look like standard sinks.
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #9

    Apr 28, 2007, 10:42 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by sheilalynne
    I just had a home inspection on a house I am considering buying. The inspector mentioned that the 2nd floor bathroom sinks did not have overflow holes. Is this a Uniform Plumbing Code violation?
    I can't speak for the UPC but Chapter nine, Section 903.0 titled OVERFLOWS of The Standard Plumbing Code does not require overflows, although in my opinion they should. Regards, Tom
    sheilalynne's Avatar
    sheilalynne Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Apr 28, 2007, 10:59 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1
    I can't speak for the UPC but Chapter nine, Section 903.0 titled OVERFLOWS of The Standard Plumbing Code does not require overflows, although in my opinion they should. Regards, Tom

    Thanks so much Tom! I really appreciate it!!
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