Fienza wastes and traps guide
This collection holds the Fienza wastes: pull-out pop up bath wastes in overflow and non-overflow versions, basin wastes in brass, ceramic, cast stone and concrete, overflow metal rings, and two square floor wastes. The choice comes down to the outlet size, whether the bath or basin has an overflow, and which cap and finish suit the room. The sections below set out what each Fienza product is, what to check on size and thread, and how to match the part before ordering. For every bath waste type from every maker, start at bath wastes.
Fienza bath wastes
The Fienza universal pull-out and pop up brass cap bath waste is the main bath product here. It has a 40mm outlet, a surface diameter of 70mm and a G1 1/2 inch thread, and a brass cap with a top section that pulls out for easy cleaning and drainage. Because the dome cap sits above the surface when open, The Blue Space calls this a pop up waste. A pop down waste sits flush when open instead. The two designs are compared on pop up bath wastes.
The bath waste comes in two versions, and picking the wrong one is the most common mistake. The with-overflow version is designed for baths with an integrated overflow. The non-overflow version is designed for baths with no overflow. The product title carries the word overflow or non-overflow, so read the full product title and the option you select before ordering.
The finishes are gloss white, chrome, matte white, matte black, brushed nickel, gun metal, brushed copper and urban brass. Brushed nickel, gun metal, brushed copper and urban brass are PVD, and gloss white and chrome are electroplated. A solid surface cap version in matte white also exists, with an overflow. Related items include a two piece 40mm plug and waste, a cap and lining kit for acrylic baths and an overflow ring for clawfoot baths.
Does the bath need an overflow?
An overflow is a small round hole near the top edge of the tub that connects to the waste pipe. When a bath is overfilled it sends the excess water down the drain instead of over the edge. An overflow suits a bathroom with no floor waste, an apartment building, or anyone who might forget the taps. The downsides are that the overflow drains slowly, running taps can still overwhelm it, and it is fiddly to clean.
Some designer baths leave the overflow out, so the room may rely on a floor waste instead. If the rules for your job are unclear, ask the plumber or the certifier. To tell which waste you need, look at the bath: a hole near the rim means the with-overflow version, and a solid rim means the non-overflow version. For a wider choice of overflow versions, see bath wastes with overflows.
Fienza basin wastes
Fienza basin wastes fall into groups by size and cap.
The universal pop-up and pull-out basin waste has a brass dome cap. The entire top section pulls out for cleaning and draining, and the waste converts for use with or without an overflow by adjusting a centre screw. It suits a 32mm or 40mm outlet, and the 40mm needs the included adaptor. The surface diameter is 63mm and the thread is G1 1/2 inch. Finishes are chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, gun metal, brushed copper and urban brass.
The concrete cap versions use the same mechanism with a concrete cap in warm grey, sage, warm white, terrazzo or Tuscan. The caps carry a food-grade nano sealant, they are designed for basins only, and the surface diameter is 63mm, the overall height is 105mm and the thread is G1 1/4 inch.
The flat ceramic cap wastes are 32mm products with a vitreous china cap in gloss white or matte white. They come in a non-overflow version and a built-in overflow version. The surface diameter is 66mm, the overall height is 70mm and the thread is G1 1/4 inch, and the mechanism is pop-up/pop-down. For a basin with a 32mm outlet, this is the slimmest profile in the range. The sizing guide for that outlet is on basin wastes 32mm outlet size.
The cast stone and ceramic dome wastes complete the group. They are a 32mm solid brass waste with a cast stone dome in matte white or a ceramic dome in white. The universal design suits a basin with or without an overflow, so check whether the basin has one. The waste is designed and made to meet current Australian and New Zealand standards. The full basin range is on basin wastes.
Slotted and unslotted wastes
The overflow test has a plain rule. An unslotted waste is completely watertight when closed, and a slotted waste has a slot that lets water from the overflow drain away whether the waste is open or closed. If the bath or basin has an overflow, it needs a slotted waste. If it has none, it needs an unslotted waste. There is one exception: where an overflow hole needs a separate connection to work, choose an unslotted waste. Fitting the wrong type can cause leaks or stop the overflow from working.
Fienza names the overflow in the product title, which is the safest place to check. The with-overflow bath waste is the slotted type, and the non-overflow bath waste is the unslotted one. On the basin side, the flat ceramic cap wastes are sold as separate non-overflow and overflow products, while the universal brass and concrete wastes convert with a centre screw. Do not assume an above-counter basin has no overflow, and remember that an overflow is a drainage route and does not protect against overfilling.
Checking fit before you order
A short list of checks applies to any waste, including these. Start with the basin maker's stated waste specification, then compare the product's technical details. Do not measure across an installed plug or the visible cap, since the cap is larger than the opening. Check the permitted installation thickness, because a waste that is too short may not secure properly and one that is too long can cut into the space under the basin. Leave clearance under the vanity for the waste body, the trap, the connections and access for maintenance.
Fitting a Fienza waste to another brand
The universal wastes are designed to suit most baths and basins, and the dome and ceramic wastes pair with the Fienza basin range. The practical test is the same for any maker. The outlet size must match, the overflow must match, and the thread must match the opening in the bath or basin. A Fienza waste in a bath from another maker is a reasonable choice when those three agree, and a poor one when they do not.
The Fienza bath waste suits a 40mm outlet. The overflow arrangement varies between baths, so check the bath maker's instructions for what the bath needs before choosing the version. Two practical checks apply. If the bath waste and the floor pipe do not line up, a flexible connector can bridge an offset of up to 650mm, as long as the pipe keeps its fall. And the space under the bath has to clear the length of the waste tail, so measure that clearance before the bath goes in.
Fienza floor wastes
Two square floor wastes sit in this collection. The square floor waste with a round grate has a 100mm outlet, overall dimensions of 110 x 110mm, an outlet diameter of 102.5mm and an electroplated chrome finish. The square tile bed floor waste has a 90mm outlet in brushed nickel with a PVD finish. It measures 115 x 115mm by 35mm deep, has an outlet diameter of 90mm, and lets the tile sit neatly within the grate.
Check the material and finish of each floor waste before ordering, and confirm the outlet size and dimensions against the plan. The wider guide to floor wastes, falls and tile inserts is on floor wastes.
Care and cleaning
The pull-out design makes cleaning simple. Lift out the top section, rinse off hair and soap, and wipe the seat before pressing it back. Use a soft cloth and a mild detergent on metal finishes, and avoid abrasive pads and strong chemicals. Avoid vinegar on PVD in particular, because vinegar and abrasive cleaners can damage it. If the top section sticks, rinse it in warm water and check for hair around the stem before you try to force it.
For concrete caps, clean regularly with a soft cloth or sponge, warm water and mild soap or detergent, and avoid abrasive cleaners, solvents and corrosive liquids. Wipe the cap dry afterwards. All waste types wear over time, so weigh long-term maintenance when choosing, and a cartridge or top section that lifts out is worth having.
How to choose a Fienza waste
Work from the fixture. For a bath, check the outlet size and whether the bath has an overflow, then choose the matching version of the bath waste. For a basin, check the outlet size, the overflow and the cap material. A 32mm outlet suits the flat ceramic, cast stone and ceramic dome wastes and the universal waste, and a 40mm outlet suits the universal waste with its adaptor. Then pick the finish to suit the tapware and the cap to suit the basin.
A plumber fitting the waste should confirm the thread against the new part. Licensing rules for plumbing work differ by state, so ask who will fit the waste before the job starts. The part is small, but a wrong size sends the whole job back to the supplier.
Related pages
The wider range of Fienza products starts on the Fienza brand collection, and the baths these wastes are made for are on Fienza baths. For every maker's wastes, traps and grates, the parent is wastes, traps and grates.
