Bath Wastes with Overflows

Bath wastes with overflows guide

A bath waste with an overflow works with the small overflow hole near the top of the bath, so that water rising past the safe level drains away instead of spilling over the edge. This collection holds the bath wastes made for baths with an overflow: pull-out and pop up wastes, pop down wastes, a safety pull-out waste for family baths and universal wastes that serve both baths and basins. The questions that matter are the same for each: the outlet size, the overflow arrangement, and whether the waste suits the bath. The sections below cover each family and what to check before you order. For every bath waste type, start at bath wastes.

What a bath overflow is

An overflow is a small round hole near the top edge of the tub, usually connected to the waste pipe. When a bath is overfilled it sends the excess water down the drain instead of letting it spill over the edge. An overflow suits a bathroom with no floor waste, an apartment building, or anyone who might forget the taps. Running taps can still overwhelm it, and it needs cleaning now and then. Some designer baths leave the overflow out, so the room may rely on a floor waste instead.

Bath waste and overflow: universal or not

People ask whether a bath waste and overflow are universal. They are not, entirely. Most bath wastes are 40mm, and most have a G1 1/2 inch thread, but the arrangement of the overflow differs. Some wastes are made for a bath with an integrated overflow, some for a bath with none, and some convert. The word universal needs a caution: some universal wastes suit basins only, and choosing on a nominal size alone is a common mistake. The Fienza bath wastes and the Meir universal waste both carry universal in their descriptions, so check each waste's outlet size and overflow arrangement and do not rely on the word.

To match a waste to your bath, check four things in this order. Confirm the outlet size, which is 40mm for nearly every bath. Confirm whether the bath has an overflow hole, and whether the overflow comes with its own kit. Check the finish so the waste matches the bath tapware. Then check the surface diameter of the waste against the hole in the bath, because a flange that is larger than the hole will not seat.

The simplest rule is the one for slotted and unslotted wastes. An unslotted waste is completely watertight when closed, while a slotted waste carries overflow water away whether the waste is open or closed. A bath or basin with an overflow needs a slotted waste, and one without needs an unslotted waste. Where an overflow hole needs a separate connection to work, choose unslotted. The wrong type can cause leaks or stop the overflow from working.

Are bath overflows a standard size?

The waste is 40mm. The wastes in this collection have a 40mm outlet, a G1 1/2 inch thread, and surface diameters of 66.5mm on the ART Australia waste and 70mm on the Fienza waste. Baths are usually 40mm while basins are usually 32mm. The overflow side is less uniform. Optional flexible hose for overflow kits comes in DN40 and DN32 lengths, so the connection to the overflow can differ between kits and between baths. The bath's instructions set out what the bath needs, and the plumber confirms the connection.

The Fienza pull-out bath wastes

The Fienza universal pull-out and pop up brass cap bath waste with overflow is designed for baths with an integrated overflow. The top section pulls out for easy cleaning and drainage and it suits a 40mm outlet. The surface diameter is 70mm and the thread is G1 1/2 inch. The finishes are chrome, gloss white, matte white, matte black, brushed nickel, gun metal, brushed copper and urban brass. The cap sits above the surface when open, so The Blue Space calls it a pop up waste, and a pop down sits flush when open. The Fienza waste also comes in a non-overflow version, so check the product title for the word overflow before ordering.

Nero, Phoenix and Caroma bath wastes

The Nero pop up bath waste 40mm with overflow is brass, built for standard 40mm bath outlets with overflow compatibility, and Nero also makes a short version for tight spaces and offset drainage. The Phoenix universal pop-up waste and the flat pop-up version suit standard and overflow basins and baths specifying a 32mm waste and connect to 40mm pipework. The brushed bronze versions have an adjustable installation range between 10mm and 60mm and a required hole size of 40mm.

The Caroma bath pop-up plug and waste and the compact bath and basin waste are made for bath applications. The compact version includes an overflow and suits Caroma, Clark and Stylus baths, basins with a standard waste profile and the Urbane II and Contura II basins. The Caroma products mix bath and basin wording in places, so confirm the product title.

The safety pull-out waste for family baths

The Turner Hastings 40mm safety pull-out pop-up bath waste with a short tail and an overflow is the family option. The pull-out feature makes children's baths safer and an extra strong mechanism prevents accidental unplugging. It has a high flow rate for quick emptying, suits baths with an internal overflow, and has a clear channel design that lets a plumber service the drainage pipe without obstruction. It is brass with a removable cartridge for servicing and cleaning, and it is Watermark approved.

ART Australia and ADP wastes

The ART Australia 40mm Bath Pop Down with overflow is a quick close waste approved for baths. It sits flush in the most common open position, is safe for little fingers and toes, allows full access to the bath waste for service and maintenance, and has a quick-remove cartridge. The surface diameter is 66.5mm and the thread is 1 1/2 inch BSP. The brand was previously known as Bounty Brassware. The ADP universal mushroom waste suits 32mm and 40mm overflow and non-overflow wastes with a 40mm connection, in baths or basins, with a removable plug. For the flush design on its own, see pop down bath wastes.

Stopper types, and why a pop-out suits a bath

Bath drain stoppers come in six types: lift-and-turn, push-and-pull, toe-touch, flip, trip lever and pop-up. Identify the stopper first, because the removal steps depend on the type. The wastes in this collection are the pop-up and pull-out types, which means no lever, chain or rod sits in the overflow. Call a plumber if the drain is seized, the pipes are damaged or internal parts are broken, because forcing a drain can crack the bath. A cartridge that comes out from above is the kinder design for exactly that reason.

Pop down is the most functional option for many baths. It sits open when level and closes when pressed, it is less visually intrusive, and it poses no pinch risk, which makes it safer for children. It also keeps small items such as jewellery from falling into the trap. The National Construction Code may require fully removable baskets for trap access, depending on the bath style and location, so confirm what your job needs with the plumber or the certifier.

Offsets, clearance and connectors

When the waste and the floor waste do not line up, a flexible connector can bridge the offset, as long as the pipe keeps its fall. The space under the bath has to clear the length of the waste tail, so measure it before the bath goes in. The waste connector should meet the trap without stress, kinks or upward bends, a flexible connector needs a clear route and inspection access, and the job ends with a fill-and-hold leak test. For connectors, see bath connectors.

Freestanding and stone baths

A freestanding bath puts the waste where the maker put it, and the room's drain where the builder put it. The ART Australia Bath Bend has a 77mm low body that suits free standing baths and installs from the top. A plain brass 40mm waste suits freestanding stone baths, vessel basins and timber vanities without an overflow, which is a reminder that some baths take no overflow at all. If the bath has none, a non-overflow waste is the match, and separate installation kits are available for that case.

Care and cleaning

Lift out the cartridge, plug or top section, rinse off hair and soap, and wipe the seat before pressing it back. Clean hair and toothpaste build-up to prevent jamming, and use a soft cloth and warm water on the finish. Avoid abrasive pads and strong chemicals. Avoid vinegar on PVD in particular, because vinegar and abrasive cleaners can damage it. The overflow is the part people forget: the hole near the rim collects soap and gunk, so wipe it when you clean the bath.

Identify the type of waste before you force anything. A pop up waste lifts to open and then turns anticlockwise, a cartridge pulls straight out, and a pull-out top lifts clear of the body. If a part will not move, check the installation sheet rather than levering it, because a bent stem or a cracked bath surround costs far more than the waste.

How to choose

Check the bath first. Does it have an overflow hole, and does it expect a kit? Measure the outlet and the clearance below. Choose a waste with an overflow that matches: the Fienza, Nero, Phoenix or ART for a simple bath, the Turner Hastings safety waste for a family bath, or a universal waste if you want one part for a basin and a bath. Add a connector if the drain does not line up. Then pick the finish to suit the tap. Keep the specification sheet from the box, and give the plumber the bath's notes on the overflow before the job starts. The matching baths are on bathtubs, and the parent page for every maker's wastes, traps and grates is wastes, traps and grates.