Details in a product, such as the overflow hole in a washbasin, can make a difference from both the aesthetics and the functional standpoints. What is it? The overflow is a hole in a washbasin, or in a sink or a bidet, that has the function of draining water when the level is too high and is in danger of overflowing.
History of the overflow outlet
In traditional washbasins, the overflow outlet generally consisted of three small holes. As aesthetic taste and technology evolved, there was a shift to a single round hole onto which a ring nut could be placed, or which could be left free. The hole can also be a different shape, there are no restrictions on this matter, and this is very common in washbasins made of materials other than ceramic.
Modern washbasins, however, especially latest generation and design models, have no overflow. The reason for this is mainly of an aesthetic nature: the absence of an overflow outlet makes the style more linear and cleaner.
Another aesthetic reason is the design of modern washbasins, which feature increasingly thin edges where there is no room to create a chamber for water to flow through: this applies in particular to bowl shaped washbasins (countertop models without a tap deck). The absence of this outlet, however, can be compensated for by making use of latest generation basin wastes:
- Click clack (or stop and go) basin waste: with manual mode opening and closing
- Freeflow waste: the plug remains permanently open and water is constantly drained from the basin; this solution is ideal for bathrooms in accommodations facilities and public premises where there is no need to fill the sink or bidet with water;
- Basin waste with built-in overflow: when a pre-set level is exceeded, the basin waste opens automatically so that the basin can be drained.
For its washbasins without an overflow, Flaminia supplies this type of waste available off-the-shelf. In bidets, on the other hand, the overflow is almost invariably present, even though it is not mandatory. In kitchen sinks, the overflow hole is a must, for safety reasons.
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