Clark wastes and traps guide
This collection holds the Clark basin pop up plug and waste, a 40mm waste in chrome, matte black and brushed nickel. It is a plug and a waste in one part, so the basin has no loose plug to misplace. It can be used on basins with or without an overflow, and it suits wall hung, under counter, semi-recessed and semi-inset basins only. That last point is the one to check first, because it decides whether this waste suits your basin at all. The sections below take the basin types first, then the overflow, the size, the finishes and the checks to make before you order. For the Clark bathroom range as a whole, start at Clark.
What the collection holds
Every product in the collection is the same waste in a different finish. The title is Clark Basin Pop Up Plug and Waste, an easy to install plug and pop-up waste that updates the look of your basin. The box contains the one part, the waste itself, so a bottle trap and the pipework below are bought and fitted separately.
The finishes are chrome, matte black and brushed nickel. The brushed nickel finish matches Clark Round tapware and accessories in brushed nickel. Confirm the thread and the fit for your basin with your plumber, and use the basin and waste sizing rules in this guide to check the rest.
The basin types it suits
The fit note is short: suited for wall hung, under counter, semi-recessed and semi-inset basins only. What matters is what each of those basins is, and that is enough to check your own.
Semi-recessed and semi-inset basins sit partly in the vanity, while wall hung basins are fixed to the wall and under counter basins mount beneath the benchtop. The practical point is the same for each: look at how your basin is mounted before you look at the finish. If your basin is an above counter or vessel basin, check with a plumber or choose a waste made for that type.
Semi-recessed basins
A semi-recessed basin sits partly into the vanity, with the bowl projecting outward. It suits narrow bathrooms and powder rooms where floor depth is limited, and it needs a vanity designed to take the partial inset. The arrangement limits the depth of storage under the bench and may reduce drawer space, and the tapware and plumbing have to line up with the shallower bench.
A Clark round semi-recessed basin shows how the pairing works. The basin is white ceramic with one tap hole and an integrated overflow, and a chrome pop-up plug and waste suits it, with matte black as a second finish. The outlet size to match is the 40mm of the Clark waste.
Semi-inset basins
A semi-inset basin sits partly above and partly within the vanity top, which keeps the overall height lower. It needs a custom cut-out in the benchtop, which may add cost and reduce flexibility if you swap the basin later. The exposed lip can affect tapware height and placement, so the mixer needs to suit it. Clark basins and taps are collected at Clark basins and Clark taps.
A semi-inset basin is easier to clean than an above counter style, though the join needs regular attention. That join is worth wiping when you wipe the waste, since water can sit where the bowl meets the bench.
Under counter basins
An under counter basin mounts beneath the benchtop and leaves no exposed rim. It requires a solid surface benchtop such as stone or engineered material, and it is not suitable for laminate or timber. It suits family bathrooms and high-use spaces where easy clean-up matters, though installation is more complex and may need extra sealing or bracketing, and retrofitting is difficult.
The waste in an under counter basin is the part you see from above, so the finish matters.
Wall hung basins
A wall hung basin is fixed directly to the wall with no vanity below. It suits compact bathrooms and minimalist designs, frees up floor space and is easy to clean underneath. Rental properties, accessible spaces, powder rooms and narrow ensuites are good fits. It requires solid wall support and precise plumbing locations, which makes installation more complex, and it provides no under-basin storage.
With or without an overflow
An overflow is a small hole near the rim of the basin that drains excess water if the tap is left running. Not every basin has one: bathroom basins often do, while kitchen sinks and other basins usually do not. The Clark waste can be used on basins with or without an overflow, so you do not have to choose between two versions.
That matters because the usual rule is otherwise. A basin with an overflow needs a slotted waste and a basin without one needs an unslotted waste. A slotted waste lets overflow water drain whether the waste is open or closed. An unslotted waste is watertight when closed. A waste made for use with or without an overflow handles both cases, which is why it is sold as a single product.
What happens if the waste does not suit the basin
A mismatched waste can cause leaks or stop the overflow working, which can lead to floods and property damage. The wrong type can also damage the sink and risk flooding. The Clark waste answers the overflow question itself, so the checks left to you are the basin type and the outlet size.
If you cannot tell if your basin has an overflow, look inside the bowl just below the rim. A slot or hole there is the overflow. A smooth rim means there is none. For the wider question of overflow wastes, see basin wastes.
Basin types this waste does not suit
The four suited types do not include above counter basins, which sit fully on top of the benchtop. They need a taller or lowered vanity to offset the added height, are more prone to splash, and need the benchtop sealed because water can pool around the base. If you own one, choose a waste made for above counter or vessel basins.
Five checks before you order
Five steps lead to the right waste: measure the outlet, choose a slotted waste if the basin has an overflow, choose between a pop-up and a standard waste, match the finish, and confirm the WaterMark. Apply them to this waste in order. The outlet should be 40mm. The overflow is covered. The waste is a pop up. The finish is chrome, matte black or brushed nickel. Confirm WaterMark certification for your job with your plumber before you order.
The 40mm size
The Clark waste is a 40mm plug and waste. The size 32mm is the most common basin outlet size, and baths are usually 40mm. Confirm the outlet size with a qualified plumber, and measure the part inside the basin, not the pipe below. A 32mm waste can connect to 40mm pipework with an adaptor, but this 40mm waste is made for a 40mm outlet, so match it to a 40mm opening.
So the check is simple. Measure the outlet in the basin, and confirm that it is 40mm. If it is 32mm, look at the 32mm range before you order. The sizes are set out at 40mm outlet basin wastes.
Chrome, matte black and brushed nickel
Chrome is the finish most often included as standard with a basin. Matte black is the option sold as an extra. Brushed nickel is the third finish in the collection, and it ties to the brushed nickel tapware and accessories in the Clark Round range.
If you need to know whether a finish is plated or coated, ask before you order. Colour pages for the same finishes across other makers are at chrome wastes, black wastes and brushed nickel wastes.
How the pop up works
At The Blue Space, a pop up waste has a domed cap that sits proud of the basin floor when it is open. A pop down waste sits flush when open. The Clark waste is a pop up, so expect a cap that stands above the drain when the basin is empty. The cap closes the drain and opens it again.
For other styles, see pop up basin wastes.
Fitting the waste
Treat fitting as a short sequence of checks. Confirm the basin type. Confirm the outlet is 40mm. Confirm whether the basin has an overflow, though either is fine. Fit the waste following the instructions supplied with it, then fill the basin and watch the connection below for drips.
The Clark waste is easy to install. WaterMark applies where required, and licensed work is required in WA, so ask a licensed plumber if you are unsure what your job requires, and confirm WaterMark certification before you rely on it.
Cleaning and care
Wipe the waste dry after use if your water is hard. Hard water scale can stop a seal working, so wipe dry, use a mild or citrus cleaner, and avoid abrasives. That advice suits all three finishes. A soft cloth does the job without scratching.
Lift the pop up cap now and then, rinse off hair and soap, and press the waste a few times to check the seal closes cleanly. A waste that sticks half-open is usually carrying hair or scale around the stem.
Keep hair and soap from collecting around the cap. A pop-out waste has a top section that lifts out to expose debris, which is a good model for cleaning a pop up waste. Lift the cap gently, and only if it comes away without force.
How to choose
Check the basin first. It must be wall hung, under counter, semi-recessed or semi-inset for this waste to fit. Confirm the outlet is 40mm. Then pick the finish that matches your tapware and your trap: chrome, matte black or brushed nickel.
The overflow does not need a decision, because the waste covers basins with or without one. If your basin is another type, or the outlet is a different size, browse the full basin wastes range instead.
