Wooden sink: specific care features. Comparison of wood and stone sinks

Having a sink made of ceramics, artificial stone and steel in an apartment is commonplace. Today, the global industry offers another material that is not used so often - wood.

A long time ago, this material was available to everyone. But not so long ago it moved into the class of elite raw materials. Not everyone can afford to install a wooden bathtub or sink in their home, because the cost of such products is quite high, and the sink itself requires special care.

If you decide to purchase a wooden sink, first read the care instructions and study the properties of a stone sink.

I want a wooden sink!

Men often encounter this request when discussing the design of a bathroom or kitchen with their spouse. If we turn to history, it will remind us that for many centuries, barrels and other ancient vessels for liquids were made from wood. This material is environmentally friendly.

Many men can make their own tub or washbasin. But, unfortunately, this product will not last long. That is why humanity was forced to make washbasins and sinks from other materials that are strong and durable. Today such sinks are available to everyone. But many people want to diversify the interior by including wood products. For fans of eco-style, a wooden sink or bathtub will be suitable, which will be combined with plumbing fixtures made of bronze or chrome.

DIY washbasin installation

Installation diagram for a wall-hung sink.

When all the above work has been completed, you can proceed to the next process - installing the washbasin with your own hands.

First of all, it is necessary to attach a water drainage system to the washbasin. It should be noted that when assembling a water drainage system, leakage problems often arise. You can fix this problem yourself using twines and special sealants.

In this situation, it is best to seek the help of a plumber, but if you prefer to install the washbasin yourself, then you should carefully study the two main stages of the work.

Before the sink bowl is installed, the faucet is mounted on it. Once the installation of the bowl on the brackets is completed, communications can be installed. Lastly, the siphon is installed.

Mixers can have a mixing chamber located below, under the shelf. When installing this type of faucet, you have to punch additional holes in the sink. This can be done using a thin and sharp chisel. For those people who are faced with such work for the first time, it is worth practicing on old and unnecessary objects made of the same material.

Thanks to special filtered meshes that are placed in the sink outlets, blockages can be prevented or at least minimized. They are sold at any plumbing store.

Variety of raw materials

It has long been known that wood is a durable material. To make a wooden sink, carpenters use wood that has proven itself in shipbuilding.

Any wooden sink looks interesting in the interior, but only noble species have a special charm. Their special texture will appear only with high-quality manual processing.

Advantages of modern plumbing fixtures made of artificial stone

This type of plumbing is in great demand among buyers. This is due to the following advantages of this model:

• strength. The components in the sink prevent the appearance of splinters and cracks on the surface. It is difficult to scratch such plumbing;
• variety of colors. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain different colors and shades for the sink. This helps to choose the desired tone for the interior space;
• there are no pores on the surface of the material, which prevents the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria;
• monolithic composition. Thanks to this solution, the product seems perfectly smooth and stylish;
• easy care. To clean such plumbing fixtures, it is necessary to use formulations without aggressive substances in their composition;
• resistance to temperature changes.

Overhead sinks made of stone are a product with small sides around the entire perimeter. The size of such a product ranges from 50 to 150 cm. They are in perfect harmony with the environment. In some styles it is used as the main highlight of the interior space.

Teak

This tree contains a lot of rubber, so teak products are durable. The thing is that rubber has water-repellent properties. This type of wood is resistant to aggressive environments, which means it will be particularly durable. An interesting fact is that teak wooden sinks are not susceptible to mold and mildew.

Style directions

First of all, wooden sinks can emphasize the style of rooms focused on natural wood.

Wood goes well with any other materials, so items from:

• glass;
• natural stone;
• metal

Designers' favorite styles for incorporating wood sinks into interiors.

• Country;
• Eco;
• Ethno.
• The rustic design motif will sparkle with new colors if you add a wooden washstand decorated with carvings to the “Russian hut” or American country style.
• Stylish wooden sinks will decorate the style of the chalet, giving it nobility without interrupting the natural environment.

• Rough wood will add brutality to the rustic style, especially in combination with untreated stone.
• The delicacy of Provence will be emphasized by a bleached oak sink and a forged ornament with patina or gilding.
• The eco style will be complemented by a natural element, which is not abundant in such an interior. The eco-style sink cabinet can be made of natural or artificial rattan.
• But refined classics are no strangers to the unusual manifestation of the shapes and textures of wooden sinks. Clear geometric shapes and shining varnish on noble wood will look truly luxurious and respectable.
• But for ultra-modern styles, it is better to choose a different material, closer to artificial raw materials and the latest technologies.

Criteria for choosing a wood-look sink

• Cost: this is one of the main criteria when purchasing a product. For those who are not limited in funds, you should purchase washbasins made of teak or oak. As mentioned above, products made from this material give the bathroom a special charm. There is no need to skimp when purchasing wooden sinks. The cheapest washbasin will soon have to be thrown away. You understand perfectly well that there are no miracles on earth.
• Sink Sizes: For large and spacious bathrooms, room designers choose oversized vanities. If the restroom does not have a large space, then you can choose asymmetrical wooden sinks. Thanks to this move, useful space will be saved in the room.
• Environmental friendliness: when choosing a wooden sink, you should pay attention to how the wood is treated. If the washbasin is covered with a mixture of oils, then it is natural. Most often, the manufacturer coats the product with synthetic varnish. Please remember that such an item does not come with a warranty.

How to make your own high pressure washer?

Pump and electrical network

. For any water supply device, the basis is a pump. And in our case, it must also be quite powerful (from 150 atmospheres).

When choosing a pump, special attention should be paid to the working units, that is, to the material from which these products were made.

If possible, choose a product with a high-strength metal or ceramic piston.

In this case, it is recommended to select the block head from brass or bronze alloys. This design can last much longer. Its service life between repairs is quite high.

A speed of 15 l/min for the pump will be sufficient.

It is recommended to choose an electric motor with a voltage of 220 V. An additional capacitor unit can provide reliable starting. Thanks to the higher speed, greater productivity is also ensured. But at the same time, a pump that is too high-speed at maximum operating speed is subject to intense wear.

The best option is a consumer of 2-3 kW and rotation up to 2000 rpm.

A homemade high-pressure washer must also have safety elements to preserve important components in the circuit. This link is the coupling connecting the pump to the engine.

If possible, we install a coupling that can compensate for small axial misalignments between the shafts.

You can also install a single-stage belt drive, which will balance the speed and load between the engine and the pump.

The subordinate number is selected from the required parameters according to the rotation frequency.

Reservoir and performance regulator

. A mini washer also needs a water container. In this case, you can use a simple tank, which, if necessary, can also be powered from a permanent source of water (well or tap).

To exclude the possibility of various debris entering, it is recommended to install coarse and medium filters at the entrance to the container.

We also add shampoo or other approved car cosmetics to the main water container. In this case, the washing process will be more efficient.

As a rule, the pump has a capacity regulator combined with an auto-unloading valve, which redirects unused pressure back to the tank, reducing the load on the pump.

External elements

. All elements are mounted on a frame, which can be made from profile or round curved pipes. For ease of transportation of the unit, a pair of wheels can also be attached to the lower pipes. In addition, we also install stops for fixation and a handle.

You can see what such a mini sink will look like in the photo.

For a high-pressure hose, you can use a plastic or rubberized reinforced hose. It is imperative to ensure the tightness of the connections using high-quality clamps or hydraulic sealing.

The fittings and valves used must be made of low-corrosion alloys: brass or bronze.

Water will be supplied through the gun from the nozzle installed in it. Visually it looks like a pistol from a gas station. A stream of water will be formed after pressing the key, which in turn will also save working fluid with consumable additives. You can buy a gun of this type at almost any hardware store.

1. Periodically inspect the connecting units, and if necessary, tighten the threaded connections with a wrench.
2. In order not to reduce the throughput of a homemade mini-wash, before each connection we inspect the filters installed in the device.
3. To avoid accidents during operation, we must ground the electrical part. Therefore, the plug used must have a grounding terminal, and the cable must be copper, three-wire.

Properties of stone sinks

Behind	Against
The surface of the sink is resistant to aggressive chemicals	High price compared to a stainless steel washbasin. The cost may be two to three times higher.
Closed waterproof surface	Products made from low quality material do not tolerate sudden temperature changes
No noise when water touches the surface of the sink	If the sink is intended for the kitchen, then it is strictly forbidden to place very hot pots, pans, etc.
There are no white streaks left from water	High product weight
High temperature resistance 180-280 degrees Celsius
Even if bacteria multiply on the walls of a stone sink, there is no smell
Stone sink retains color and brightness
Wide range of models
Possibility of making a custom-made washbasin
High strength and long service life (more than 10 years) with proper care
Mechanical damage is eliminated during restoration

Preparation of plywood

So that a do-it-yourself plywood tabletop is truly

reliable and has served for many years, it is necessary:

• choose the right material;
• carry out initial processing, which will provide maximum protection from moisture.

To make a tabletop, it is better to use two-layer plywood sheets, which have increased resistance to mechanical loads. They are processed as follows:

1. First, bitumen mastic is applied to each sheet. This is the first step to minimizing the negative effects of constant contact with water.
2. After this, you can cut the plywood. For this purpose, a jigsaw is used, which produces an even cut that requires virtually no additional processing. You need to cut the plywood according to the dimensions of the base (kitchen furniture), adding 3-4 centimeters to them to ensure the aesthetic appearance of the future structure.
3. At the same stage, we cut out a hole for installing the sink. Of course, you should know its diameter in advance.
4. At the end of the preparatory work, a moisture-proof impregnation is applied to the surface of the sheets. Processing must be carried out as carefully as possible on each side, including the ends. Otherwise, the risk of plywood swelling will increase significantly.

The end parts can be covered with pre-prepared wooden blanks, which are attached to plywood sheets with self-tapping screws and subsequently opened with varnish. This increases resistance to moisture and improves the appearance of the structure.

Caring for a Wooden Sink

In order for your special sink to serve you for many years, you need to take proper care of it. To ensure that your product makes you happy every day, pay attention to our tips:

1. Do not place very hot dishes on the sink.
2. Do not pour boiling water.
3. Avoid and do not use abrasive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents, especially chlorine.
4. To clean the sink, use a soft sponge with antibacterial soap. It can be replaced with a neutral detergent.
5. To ensure that the surface of the sink remains as bright, it is necessary to do preventive treatment once every three months. To do this, you need to purchase special products: wax or oil.
6. Do not place sharp objects in the sink.
7. To prevent the washbasin from darkening over time, the modern chemical industry offers protective agents. Chemical reactions occur differently in each wood. Teak is the least susceptible to darkening.

How to make your own wooden sink

If you decide to make a washbasin from wood yourself, then the first thing you need to think about is what material your product will be made of. Most often it is made from ordinary wood. To do this, you will need to apply not one, but several layers of varnish, which is used to treat wood.

Experienced craftsmen think in advance: “How to cover a wooden sink?” This is a valid question. VO impregnation (water-repellent) will come to the aid of the master. Thanks to it, moisture will not be able to penetrate the surface of the product. Remember that teak wood will never change color under the influence of water, but for this you need to coat the washbasin with a special oil.

If you have the opportunity to make an oak sink, then this would be an ideal option. It's all about the wide range of wood shades that range from dark to light.

One of the most affordable types of wood is bamboo. It is durable and available in colors and textures. The cost of bamboo is significantly lower compared to teak. Therefore, this type of raw material will be within the means of a home craftsman.

Material

When choosing a sink for installation outdoors, you should understand that its main “destroyer” will be frost. Therefore, not every plastic is suitable for this design. What they offer us:

Metal	Stainless steel is an excellent option that will withstand any atmospheric vagaries. Enameled - has also proven itself well in difficult conditions, the only drawback is that it is afraid of impacts, since when the enamel breaks off, corrosion will pass right through the sink in this place after some time. Galvanized - usually this is a basin in which you can make a hole for draining yourself. All models are lightweight, so they do not require powerful cabinets. The price depends on the material and size.
Ceramics	The product is not afraid of frost, rain or snow. It is heavy, so it is necessary to take care of the appropriate supporting structure. The sink is susceptible to impacts, so you must be careful when using it. The drainage is normal - into the sewer or into a bucket.
Plastic	Ordinary material is not suitable for this, or you will have to bring the sink into the house when frost sets in in places where they are quite severe. As an option, you can use a nylon basin, in which you make a drain with your own hands in a convenient place.
Tree	You might think that this is an exclusive option, but in many villages you can still find an outdoor sink made from a wooden basin. This design is not afraid of cold, rain and snow, so there is no need to hide it.
Stone	More precisely, stone with cement-sand mortar. You can make an interesting sink out of these materials in a suburban area in the form of a small mound with a bowl inside.

Ceramic outdoor garden sink

Advice: people in the country often don’t buy a sink for the street, but use an apartment one, which has been replaced with a newer one.

Choosing a place for the washbasin

The presence of water in a summer cottage, which is used not from time to time, but constantly, is a prerequisite. On a warm summer morning, you can drive away sleep with cool water from the washbasin.

It is not always possible to connect to a central water supply, and in some places only a well or borehole can save you. But, in this case, it is necessary to properly organize the water supply of your own site so that the pipeline does not freeze in winter. So you have two options - to conduct water directly to the washbasin or use another option for this, such as “Moidodyr”.

Advice: make a lightweight structure that can be taken outside in warm weather and brought into the house when it gets cold.

Do-it-yourself stationary car wash in a country house on the street, connected to a central water supply

In this case, you will not have to configure not only the water supply, but also the sewerage system.

All that remains is to decide where to install such a structure:

• the place should be as accessible as possible so that the washbasin can be used at any time;
• To warm up a container of water, we recommend choosing an area on the sunny side . Although, if it is made of plastic, many recommend shade;
• the design of the sink cabinet can be portable, or it can be strictly fixed in one place.

Cabinet for "Moidodyr"

This single structure consists of a cabinet with a sink and a water tank attached above it. Finding the first one may not be difficult if you or your parents used it back in Soviet times and, as usual, stored it at the dacha.

In the photo - an overhead sink made of aluminum basin

So, it completely fits our “structure”, because its dimensions coincide with the overall dimensions of a standard sink made of metal, plastic or ceramic. In this case, it is enough to show your carpentry and artistic abilities, which will help it, if not return it, then at least get closer to its original appearance.

If you haven’t found such a cabinet in your barn or garage, don’t despair either, we’ll create it ourselves.

So:

1. Prepare wooden blocks for the frame, the cross-section of which can be from 50x50 mm to 80x80 mm, there is no point anymore, or steel corners with a shelf of 25-40 mm. The latter are much stronger, but working with them will be more difficult.
2. The height of our cabinet should not exceed 1 m including legs, so it is enough to cut 4 850 mm posts.

Tip: when making a custom-sized cabinet, try to ensure that the sink fits neatly along its edges. So measurements in this case should be carried out carefully.

1. Cut 8 pieces from a block or corner to fit the size of the sink.
2. Assemble the frame, securing it with screws (for wood), bolts or welding (for metal). In this case, your guide is the inner edges of the frame, since the sink will be inserted there.

Tip: Be sure to prime the steel frame and paint it. This way you can increase its service life.

Washbasin option for a summer residence

1. Cover the frame with plywood, boards, polycarbonate, plastic panels or steel sheets. Be sure to varnish the wood and plywood to protect the material from moisture.
2. Make the front wall open or with a door, and the back wall solid.
3. The floor is made of wood, leaving a gap of 10 mm between the boards for water drainage and air circulation.

A combination of wood and metal frame is suitable for dishes in the country

Countertop sink

In the previous case, we inserted the sink into the cabinet, in this case we will tell you about another option, how to make a sink in the country house on the street simply on top of the countertop or slightly recessed into it. In this case, we will mostly use the tools and materials that everyone has in the house.

The instructions will be like this:

1. Prepare a strong bed - an old but still reliable table or a foot-operated sewing machine that has not been used for a long time.
2. A galvanized basin or something similar will work as a sink. If using a ceramic or metal sink, recess it slightly into the countertop.
3. Clean the bed and select the appropriate size of 10 mm thick plywood sheet for it. Treat it with a protective solution so that nothing happens to it from being outside for a long time. Also cut out a place in the countertop for the drain.
4. Secure the tabletop with self-tapping screws from below.
5. Place the basin on the countertop and trace it around. Let's drown it slightly; this is not difficult to do, since its sides are located at an angle.
6. Make a drain hole in the center of the basin using an electric drill (drilling along the edges of the mark), a chisel and a hammer.
7. Cut a hole in the countertop and install a basin into it, simultaneously connecting it to the drain.

Overhead sink in the country from a galvanized basin

1. You can lay pieces of old floor or wall tiles on top of the plywood as a mosaic.
2. Fill the distance between the basin and the tile with tile adhesive.