[Garniers]

We bought a new vanity and top and the water does not want to drain. We were told that it is because we don't have an overflow hole in the sink (This is a regular vanity top not a vessel). We paid a plumber $190 to fix what we thought was the wrong piping under the sink that caused this, but the problem was not resolved. Is there anything we can do besides buying an expensive sink top that has an overflow hole and pulling out the whole vanity?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Garniers...

A regular pop-up assembly will not always work real well without that overflow hole.

You may need to purchase a vessel sink drain... see images. Best bet is to purchase a flip top or a pop-up (also called mushroom or umbrella type) drain assembly. These drain assemblies mix air with water at a ratio that allows for better drainage. The grid style, even though made for vessel sinks, is not a great choice as they just don't seem to mix the air with the water the way the others mentioned above do. You will need to keep the rod from the old pop-up assembly in place to keep the hole plugged in the faucet.


Go to home depot, Lowe's or menards and purchase the better style vessel sink drain and you will be up and draining properly soon. You will also need plumber's putty... ;)

Mark

PS: Do not confuse a regular sink pop-up assembly with a vessel sink pop up drain... totally different.

[Garniers]

Thank you so very much for your help. We will do as you suggest and see if that works.

[massplumber2008]

Hope it helps! Let me know how you make out.

[Garniers]

Home Depot had no vessel drains in stock. My husband bought a new vanity and top that was on sale for $49 at Home Depot that had an overflow hole. He thought that if he put the new top with the overflow hole on the previous vanity base that it would solve the problem. Well we thought wrong because the water still does not want to drain. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[massplumber2008]

Sounds like it may be time to snake the drain line...

Did your old sink drain fine previously? If so, how long between removing the old sink and installing the new sink (1st replacement)? If it was awhile it is reasonable to guess that the gunk in the drain pipe dried up in between installation times and now that you drained the sinks and rewetted the gunk the drain is clogged... maybe?

Let me know if you want to discuss more, OK?

Mark

[Garniers]

The old sink drained fine. I think it was a month or a little more that there was no sink because we tore out walls and replaced everything. My husband also mentioned that maybe there is a clog since everything else in the bathroom drains but it seemed a little farfetched since the old sink drained perfectly fine. The only thing that makes it sound like it is blocked is that the water drains fine until the pipe is filled up to the wall and then it backs up.

My husband also said that he was told by someone at Home Depot that the pipe under the sink has two holes that are suppose to be front to back but I think ours are side to side so the air vent in the sink is a little to the left of those holes and they don't match up and maybe air isn't getting through, but it is not a tight fit so we didn't think that would matter. I will let my husband know and get back to you with the results.

[Garniers]

I would like to thank you for all your help. My husband used Draino gel and put it in at the wall pipe and waited one hour and flushed with very hot water and it worked.

[massplumber2008]

Draino gel is only a quick fix so you guys will want to plan on snaking that drain down the road, but for now I'm glad you're up and running smoothly.

Thanks for the update!

Mark