Slotted or Unslotted Basin Wastes - Which To Get?

"Which type of basin waste should I get?". We'll be honest, this isn't the most exciting question that people ask us when remodelling their bathrooms. But, a waste is a vital part of any properly functioning basin, and no bathroom is really complete without one. So it's worthwhile spending a bit of time making sure you get everything right.

So, without further ado, here is your definitive guide to choosing the perfect basin waste for your bathroom. We will cover:

• What a basin waste does
• The types of basin waste you can get
• What determines the type of basin waste you need
• How to choose a basin waste
• The styles you can choose from

What Does A Basin Waste Do?

In case you're not familiar with the term, here's a quick rundown. A basin waste is simply the tube that water drains out of. It's a clear line between your basin and the sewage system, and you block it temporarily with a plug or stopper when you want to fill the basin. All types of basin will use a waste so that water can drain, and so that the drain can be blocked temporarily when you need to fill the basin.

It may not sound like much, but it's an important piece of bathroom plumbing. If you have or choose a basin with an overflow and you choose the wrong waste, the overflow may not work as intended. In this scenario, running water that is left unchecked with an overflow that isn't working won't drain properly and may leak all over your floor. Nobody wants that. And if you aren't familiar with this term either, an overflow is the small hole in the back of your basin that water can drain through if the level gets too high.

What Types of Basin Waste Are There?

There are two main types of basin waste: 

1. Slotted 
2. Unslotted

The slot refers to a small hole in the overflow that sits below the plug hole. This hole allows water that flows into the overflow to drain away. So, the answer to the question “Do I need a slotted or unslotted basin waste?” is fairly simple. If you have a basin with an overflow, you need a slotted basin waste and if you have a basin without an overflow, you need an unslotted one.

Here is what the same model of basin waste looks like with and without a slot:

This is the Crosswater Slotted Basin Waste. As you can see, there is a capsule-shaped hole in the centre of the product:

This hole makes this waste option compatible with an overflow 

Alternatively, this is the Crosswater Unslotted Basin Waste, without the hole.

The lack of a hole makes this waste option compatible with basins without an overflow.

How to Choose A Basin Waste

The first step is to choose the basin and taps you want, as this will give you the information you need to determine what type of basin waste you need.

You will be looking for two things:

• Does the basin you want have an overflow?
• Do the taps you want have a waste built in?

Some tap manufacturers build wastes right into their tap design or supply them with the taps already. Where this is the case, you are saved from the hassle of choosing a separate one. If you go for one of these options in your bathroom, you do not need a basin waste. You just have to check the tap you choose is compatible with your basin.

On that last point: this is exactly what our team are trained and qualified to advise on. They will help you to choose the perfect configuration of basin, tap and waste for your bathroom. They will tell you what you need and match you with a design to make your bathroom pop.

Which Styles of Basin Waste Are There?

If it turns out you do need a to buy a separate basin waste, you have several options of which one to go for. They are:

1. Plug and chain
2. Click clack
3. Flip top
4. Pop up

The one you choose will depend on personal taste, the style you're going for in your bathroom, and whether you want an exposed or concealed mechanism.

Let's introduce each one.

Plug and Chain Waste

This is maybe the most recognisable type of basin waste. The plug is connected to your sink by a chain and you block the drain with the plug as and when you need.

The chain allows you to pull the plug from the drain, while giving this waste option its simple and elegant design. There is a reason it has stood the test of time. This is a favourite for a reason. Familiar, easy to use and stylish. Just make sure that your basin has a hook to attach the chain to if you go for this option; not all modern basins do.

Click Clack Waste

The name refers to the sound this type of waste makes when you use it. When you push down on the stopper it pops up or clamps down, with a gentle clack sound.

You may also hear this called a push button waste because it is a bit like pressing a button. 

Here is an Apex Brushed Brass Click Clack Basin Waste to show you what the click clack mechanism looks like. Note that it is concealed, with no visible chain:

We find this design to be quite popular, as it is very simple to use. Just push down and you're good to go!

Flip Top Waste

With this type of basin waste, the stopper rests on a hinge. It is simple and easy to use: you just push down on one side of the stopper and it rotates, providing space for water to flow down the drain.

This is the Crosswater Flip Top Basin Waste, which shows what the mechanism looks like from the outside.

Pop Up Waste

This type of basin waste is controlled by a small lever that usually sits behind the tap. When you flick the lever from one side to the other, the stopper pops up or down.

Our customers like pop up wastes because you do not have to put your hands in the water to drain the basin. This is great if the water is dirty, has become cold, or if you just do not want to get your hands wet after drying them.

A pop up waste will look something like this. Remember that the tube will be out of sight: you will only see the silver parts.

This concludes our article on everything you need to know about basin wastes and which type you should get. If you have any other questions about basin wastes, or if we have missed anything, just contact us and we will be glad to help.