this was exactly what i needed to understand the function of an overflow pop-up drain assembly. in particular appreciated the camera angles / water's eye view of what was going on. thanks for making this video.
For some reason I was a sink nerd as a kid and I loved looking at this and like I was always testing them when there’s a new house and onetime the house I was living in was on an airforce base built in the 1970’s and it was all clogged
Love this! That's next level there. I totally appreciate the story, and time time you watched this--although it sounds like you would make an even better video than this one! If you do, please link to it here!
I occasionally take my spray bottle of 409 or Fantastic and spray into those holes to clean the inside of that “hidden” channel. I then pour hot water into those holes so the cleaner works its way to the drain. Since my sink rarely if ever is filled with enough water so water enters those holes - the channel will dry out and emit a nasty odor. That’s why I occasionally clean it.
It might just be old soap? I was just cleaning my sink today and found so much black gunk and hair in the crevices and holes. And that's just from renting. Haha.
thank you I did not know how or where the water flowed out, although I knew it had to go somewhere. I am concerned that my sisters bathroom sink overflow holes have began to rust or a rusty stain has formed and she says slimy material is coming out of the holes. How do you fix that?
I have the same problem from time to time. Taking it all apart and getting/flushing/picking it all out is the only solution I've found that works. The good news is the rust is normally just surface level on the porcelain sink (as long as the top surface is still non porous) and Bar Keepers Friend really is your friend--that stuff is magic. At that point the rusty part of the drain needs replacing. It is not a fun job, but I hope that helps!
That's a tough situation. I don't know that a hair dryer or heat gun would warm up the porcelain enough to do much more than soften the wax. The concern there is that a hot enough temperature could crack the porcelain. Even if it did and you dug out a pathway after taking the plumbing apart below would that be enough? The other answers are live with it and make sure the water level does not get high or replace the sink.
I had a top of vanity bowl sink installed and the guy mustn't have known what he was doing because the overflow doesn't overflow and tiny black worms come out. I looked them up and they're black drain worms. The landlord hired the guy and she's not having him come back anytime soon, so I pour water in the overflow to try to flush them out. It's smelly too. Is there a certain small flush type thing I can use to get them out?
Yuck! That sounds pretty gross. I'll admit though as we've been home more during the day--less time for the drain to dry out between uses--I've noticed our drains get gunky much faster in the last few years. While we don't have black drain worms, the only thing I've found that works when it gets into the gunk stage is taking everything apart and cleaning it. It is not a fun process but I don't know of any product that will eat away at everything and leave it as clean as physically removing the entire drain assembly. Perhaps someone else reading the comments will have a better idea because I'd appreciate knowing as well!
Lavatory sings WITH overflow slots! Something that has become less prevalent in American homes. This is some of the most inexpensive insurance against an accidental overflow because little ones may forget to shut off water…. Adults, too. Do this AND have a water monitor… even better!
Does water backup in to that drain hole. Because the bottom of my sink has a hole and is leaking. The bottom of the sink looks like a plaster material. The sink never over flows since I owned it. It is 30 years old. I'm thinking water going down the drain is backing up into that hat channel.
Yes, if the drain is clogged in, let's say, the p-trap, it will absolutely take the easiest route and back up into the drain hole. Sometimes plumbers putty is used and wears out, allowing the situation you just described. I hope you caught the leak soon enough so the cabinet isn't messed up!
That's terrible! There are a couple possible scenarios. The drain holes within the sink/at your drain stopper could be plugged. Or you could have a sink like the one in 1:21 where the overflow is small and can't handle a high flow coming out of the faucet. I hope the damage wasn't too bad!
Oooooh! See, this is why I like comments. That's a VERY good point. We don't use our drain stoppers. So I'm cleaning out my disgusting drain every 6 months and it takes a good 15-30 minutes per drain if I'm booking it. I'm at the point were I'm done with that style and fast and easy cleaning every month is what I'm experimenting with (although I will say my daughter beat me to it and hey--if she's willing to clean it out this was sooooo worth it!). But now that I think of your comment, between the bathroom sinks and the kitchen sink, we are down to this style where whatever radioactive stuff we put in water requires a hand to disengage the drain. So maybe I'll keep a stick with a little rubber suction cup--like you see on the end of kid toothbrushes--nearby to poke into the water instead of my hand. Thanks for adding your thoughts!!!
If you mean the pipe below the sink--I was in the process of replacing the old drain with the pop up drain. I had taken apart the p-trap and needed to put it back on. If that's not what you meant, if you reply with the timestamp in the video I can explain.
Good he has three over flow hoes, but be careful probably 90% of sinks only have one and the the hole is to small and the sink ends up overflowing anyway. Also equally important, The spout stopper need to have a big hole there to and line up with the drian overflow drain hole in the sink when installed.
#truth I may have to run a follow on video on this. So many times we're picking fashion over functionality and whoever designed that one hole wasn't thinking of function.
this was exactly what i needed to understand the function of an overflow pop-up drain assembly. in particular appreciated the camera angles / water's eye view of what was going on. thanks for making this video.
Glad to hear it helped and I appreciate your kind words.
For some reason I was a sink nerd as a kid and I loved looking at this and like I was always testing them when there’s a new house and onetime the house I was living in was on an airforce base built in the 1970’s and it was all clogged
Love this! That's next level there. I totally appreciate the story, and time time you watched this--although it sounds like you would make an even better video than this one! If you do, please link to it here!
Was wondering there were holes in the drain pipe. 🙂 Makes sense now.
Glad it was helpful!
I occasionally take my spray bottle of 409 or Fantastic and spray into those holes to clean the inside of that “hidden” channel. I then pour hot water into those holes so the cleaner works its way to the drain. Since my sink rarely if ever is filled with enough water so water enters those holes - the channel will dry out and emit a nasty odor. That’s why I occasionally clean it.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing.
Great explanation. Simple and easy. Good video!
Thank you. Glad to hear it helped!
Nice insight. 👌
the holes in my bathroom sink in my apartment are loaded with black gunk? is this normal? How to I clean inside these holes?
I have the same problem
It might just be old soap? I was just cleaning my sink today and found so much black gunk and hair in the crevices and holes. And that's just from renting. Haha.
Thank you!!
thank you I did not know how or where the water flowed out, although I knew it had to go somewhere. I am concerned that my sisters bathroom sink overflow holes have began to rust or a rusty stain has formed and she says slimy material is coming out of the holes. How do you fix that?
I have the same problem from time to time. Taking it all apart and getting/flushing/picking it all out is the only solution I've found that works. The good news is the rust is normally just surface level on the porcelain sink (as long as the top surface is still non porous) and Bar Keepers Friend really is your friend--that stuff is magic. At that point the rusty part of the drain needs replacing. It is not a fun job, but I hope that helps!
For two days hard wax is stuck inside overflows sink. How do i soften snd remove it?
That's a tough situation. I don't know that a hair dryer or heat gun would warm up the porcelain enough to do much more than soften the wax. The concern there is that a hot enough temperature could crack the porcelain. Even if it did and you dug out a pathway after taking the plumbing apart below would that be enough? The other answers are live with it and make sure the water level does not get high or replace the sink.
Does it matter which direction you place the overflow drain pipe
I just try to make sure the holes line up. Might depend on the sink/drain pipe.
i thought these were to let me know the water is very close to the edge, not a extra drainer!
That too...you can think of it as a two for one deal!
I had a top of vanity bowl sink installed and the guy mustn't have known what he was doing because the overflow doesn't overflow and tiny black worms come out. I looked them up and they're black drain worms. The landlord hired the guy and she's not having him come back anytime soon, so I pour water in the overflow to try to flush them out. It's smelly too. Is there a certain small flush type thing I can use to get them out?
Yuck! That sounds pretty gross. I'll admit though as we've been home more during the day--less time for the drain to dry out between uses--I've noticed our drains get gunky much faster in the last few years. While we don't have black drain worms, the only thing I've found that works when it gets into the gunk stage is taking everything apart and cleaning it. It is not a fun process but I don't know of any product that will eat away at everything and leave it as clean as physically removing the entire drain assembly. Perhaps someone else reading the comments will have a better idea because I'd appreciate knowing as well!
Funnel White Vinegar into the overflow and have the landlord fix the the overflow. Otherwise, you're stuck with the nasty.
Hi ... It is normal that the hole is full of water
Yikes! No. Sounds like the hole in the drain is plugged and backed up.
Can we just drill the pipe of the ones that are "without overflow" to convert them?
Possibly. The concern I would have is the raw surface--if it rusts easier? Is it possible to return the drain you have and get the one with holes?
Lavatory sings WITH overflow slots! Something that has become less prevalent in American homes. This is some of the most inexpensive insurance against an accidental overflow because little ones may forget to shut off water…. Adults, too.
Do this AND have a water monitor… even better!
Does water backup in to that drain hole. Because the bottom of my sink has a hole and is leaking. The bottom of the sink looks like a plaster material. The sink never over flows since I owned it. It is 30 years old. I'm thinking water going down the drain is backing up into that hat channel.
Yes, if the drain is clogged in, let's say, the p-trap, it will absolutely take the easiest route and back up into the drain hole. Sometimes plumbers putty is used and wears out, allowing the situation you just described. I hope you caught the leak soon enough so the cabinet isn't messed up!
Water is going in those holes and the holes are too high for the water to get out. Any ideas?
Are the holes where the water exits in the drain blocked?
Well I just flooded a room with an over flow sink how does that happen
That's terrible! There are a couple possible scenarios. The drain holes within the sink/at your drain stopper could be plugged. Or you could have a sink like the one in 1:21 where the overflow is small and can't handle a high flow coming out of the faucet.
I hope the damage wasn't too bad!
my overflow is broken so maintance is getting me a new sink
The overflow is definitely a good idea, but the stopper that expects you to put your hands in the water to release them, never made sense to me.
Oooooh! See, this is why I like comments. That's a VERY good point. We don't use our drain stoppers. So I'm cleaning out my disgusting drain every 6 months and it takes a good 15-30 minutes per drain if I'm booking it. I'm at the point were I'm done with that style and fast and easy cleaning every month is what I'm experimenting with (although I will say my daughter beat me to it and hey--if she's willing to clean it out this was sooooo worth it!). But now that I think of your comment, between the bathroom sinks and the kitchen sink, we are down to this style where whatever radioactive stuff we put in water requires a hand to disengage the drain. So maybe I'll keep a stick with a little rubber suction cup--like you see on the end of kid toothbrushes--nearby to poke into the water instead of my hand. Thanks for adding your thoughts!!!
What makes no sense?
So what is the second hole on the pipe on opposite side ?
If you mean the pipe below the sink--I was in the process of replacing the old drain with the pop up drain. I had taken apart the p-trap and needed to put it back on. If that's not what you meant, if you reply with the timestamp in the video I can explain.
Good he has three over flow hoes, but be careful probably 90% of sinks only have one and the the hole is to small and the sink ends up overflowing anyway. Also equally important, The spout stopper need to have a big hole there to and line up with the drian overflow drain hole in the sink when installed.
#truth I may have to run a follow on video on this. So many times we're picking fashion over functionality and whoever designed that one hole wasn't thinking of function.
I legibly thought those holes were there to help water drain faster 💀💀💀
In certain circumstances you are not wrong! 👊