Pipework for a Belfast sink

[Tom]

Can anyone tell me where to get pipework for an old Belfast sink, please? The sink already has a waste fitted to it but the 1 1/2" trap I bought doesn't fit it...it's too small. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Flyfisher]

I can't help specifically, except to recommend finding a 'real' plumbing merchant that will be more likely to stock odd-sized fittings and adapters. Such places are also usually more helpful with suggestions and it's always good if you can take some matching parts in with you.

I've found that the DIY sheds and places like Plumb Centre are mainly geared up for modern plumbing systems.

If you really can't find a compatible part or adapter then it might be possible to replace the sink outlet altogether.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for your reply.

I can't take the sink anywhere, as it's already fitted.

I had thought about removing the original waste but I'm worried about cracking the sink. How likely is that to happen?

 

[Penners]

Jaqy - it's difficult to answer your question, because we don't know how rock-solid the waste is in the sink. If you're careful, it should be possible to get the locking nut undone without putting too much strain on the porcelain. In the past I've used a home-made T-shaped tool which has two prongs that poke down between the "spokes" of the waste inside the sink. This enables you to hold the T-bar and resist the torsion of the nut being undone underneath. Needless to say, it's a two-person job.

If it's an old steel or brass fitting, I suggest you give it a good soaking with WD40 for a few hours, before you try undoing it.

Alternatively, if you're still nervous about doing this, measure the diameter of the thread underneath the sink and then trawl the architectural reclamation yards (or - as Flyfisher suggests - old-fashioned "proper" plumbers' merchants) and try to find a trap that will fit. You will, of course, still have to find some sort of adaptor to join trap on to your existing drainage system.

We don't hear much from you nowadays. Wotcha bin up to?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Hello Jaqy - lovely to hear from you.

I think there was a very similar thread a few months ago and we came up with a few companies/website suggestions. Might be worth searching for a few words and seeing if you can find it.

Not much has changed here - threads veer off topic wildly still. Therefore think of something completely unrelated to Belfast sinks and search for that - I'm sure we'll have got to it by page 2 of the thread!! :lol:

 

[Penners]

threads veer off topic wildly still.

It wasn't me, sir, it was Wiggs. I wasn't there.

 

[Tom]

Got this sorted now, guys. No one was able to help us in the end with regard to fittings and I really didn't fancy removing the original waste. So, we're going to use some flexible hose and a couple of jubilee clips to connect the original waste to a modern trap and, hopefully, no one will moan about it