From the title of the post, you would’ve easily understood that we would be discussing the nuts and bolts of a Belfast sink in order to help you make an informed decision.
Irrespective of whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned professional, the piece of information related to Belfast Sink that we’re gonna share with you in this post would definitely be of great help, trust me.
The questions that we’ve answered about Belfast sink in this post are the ones asked by our clientele on a frequent basis.
So, by penning down a comprehensive post on Belfast sink, we would be able to benefit a larger audience.
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
In case, I’ve NOT covered your query related to Belfast sink then please feel FREE to reach out to us via the contact form of izzysmarthomeguide.com, and our core team would be more than happy to assist you.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
What is a Belfast sink?
The real reason behind these sinks named as Belfast Sinks is that they originated in Belfast.
In fact, they were an adaptation of Butler’s sink and gained prominence in the eighteenth century.
Primarily, these little beasts were used by the Butlers as they were involved in the task of deep cleaning of the larger items.
What made a Belfast sink so popular and in demand is the introduction of a specific feature popularly known as an overflow weir.
The feature plays a key role in preventing overspill and allowing water to drain away without the risk of flooding.
To be honest, the main purpose of the overflow weir is to actually let air into the drain when your sink is full, preventing a vacuum effect that can result in slow draining.
The added depth has played a crucial role in Belfast surge demand as it makes the sink extremely practical for clothes washing and baby bathing.
On top of it, cleaning the weir is quick, easy, and doesn’t consume much of your time for sure.
In fact, you can clean it easily with the help of a brush preventing a build-up of germs in the drainage.
[Related] How To Clean A Belfast Sink?What are the accessories available for a Belfast sink?
- Fireclay Sit On Drainers
- Chrome Plated Brass Bottle Traps
- Lever Operated Bib Taps
- Legs and Brackets for Belfast Sinks
What is the difference between a butler and a Belfast sink?
In order to present to you the differences between a Butler and a Belfast sink in the best way that we could, we’ve divided the answer into three sub-parts, that is, the historical differences, the depth difference, and the waste difference.
Let’s discuss each one of them.
The Historical Differences
When we looked back in history we found that the differences between the two go all the way back to Victorian times.
I’m sure that most of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that the Butler Sink for the first time was designed for the Butler’s Pantry in London.
The Butler sink was specifically designed with a motive to save water.
On the other hand, Belfast sinks are an adaptation of the Butler sinks.
They are also used by the Butlers but designed in Belfast.
The Depth Difference
Over years, the water supply issue has subsided so Butler sinks have increased in size.
Butler sinks were made slightly wider and shallower than the Belfast sink to encourage conservation of water without compromising on fitting into the larger kitchen cabinets.
On the other hand, Belfast sinks are comparatively deeper because limiting water use wasn’t necessary.
The Waste Difference
If we go past in history, London has struggled to get water in abundance and so Butler sinks were made with a motive to save the water.
As water had to be drawn from deep wells in London back in the 18th century so Butler’s sink was designed in such a way that it encourage people to conserve water.
Unlike Belfast sinks, a Butler sink wasn’t made with a weir overflow.
Frankly speaking, the difference in the overflows remains the primary difference between the two even today.
Can you restore a Belfast sink?
It goes without saying that Belfast sinks are definitely a wonderful and fruitful addition to your kitchen.
Of course, with reglazing, you can restore a Belfast sink.
In order to remove the marks and restore a Belfast sink, you can follow the below-mentioned steps.
You would be needing baking soda, Windex, soft cloth/sponge for this method.
- First and foremost, you need to sprinkle baking soda over the surface that are marked
- For the best result, I would suggest you should slightly wet your Belfast sink before sprinkling the baking soda
- In the next step, you need to spary the surface lightly with Windex
- Scrub with a soft cloth or a sponge till the time stains are removed
- Last but not least, repeat the steps if needed
How do I replace a Belfast sink?
By following the below-mentioned steps you can replace your Belfast sink in a hassle-free manner.
- Use a craft knife to slice around the seal of the silicone
- If possible, do remove the doors
- In order to ensure proper working space, you must remove the waste, the trap, etc
- Now, it’s time to remove any screw or fastening that has attached Belfast unit to the adjacent units
- Just for your information, in almost all the cases, screws are usually inserted from inside the adjacent units
- In case you’ve found out dowels or other hidden fixing then you don’t have to panic rather you need to sawn them using tools such as a pad saw
- You need to remove plinth to gain access to the legs
- Now, it’s time to support the weight by packing the base
- The base of the adjustable legs need to be turned anti-clockwise in order to loosen them
- Once done, remove the legs by removing screws with the help of a screwdriver
- You need to be very careful while removing the packing
- At the same time, don’t forget to lower the base unit approximately 60 mm
- Now, you can easily fit your Belfast sink and carefully slide it out
- Re-fit sink by following the reverse sequence
I’m attaching a self-explanatory video for your perusal.
Are Belfast sinks a good idea?
Well, it totally depends upon your choice and requirement.
From my past experience, all I can say is that quite a few of my clients love the fact that the Belfast sinks are so deep which simply means they can wash lot more utensils at one time.
Not only does a Belfast sink comes with an aesthetic look but also are practical for busy kitchens.
There practical nature makes them a perfect choice for a busy kitchen which is clearly evident from the fact that there have been a surge in their demands.
How much does a Belfast sink cost?
Well, the best thing about a Belfast sink is that even though you’re on a tight budget you can afford it easily.
As compared to other type of sinks, these little beasts are less expensive for sure.
In simple words, if you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen then Belfast sink could be a great choice as it will not cost you much.
Can you pour boiling water into Belfast sink?
Of course, you can pour boiling water into a Belfast sink.
In fact, you can pour boiling water into your Belfast sink, followed by ice water, and trust me, there wouldn’t be any cracking for sure.
The main reason by chips and cracks are is the fact that a Belfast sink is also resistant to hard knocks, interesting, isn’t it?
Are Belfast sinks standard size?
Double Belfast sinks typically measure 2.5 feet across, 80mm, but at the same time, sizes can vary by up to 3 percent.
The largest Belfast sink that I’ve come across measures 3 feet, and 915 mm.
What is the depth of a Belfast sink?
The most popular bowl depth for Belfast sinks are 220 & 250 mm.
Can you undermount a Belfast sink?
Definitely, you can undermount a Belfast sink but for that the prerequisite is approximate worktop depth.
Can I use a Belfast sink with laminate worktops?
Unfortunately, Belfast sinks are NOT commonly recommended with laminated worktops.
The reason behind it is the way the sinks are positioned as undermounted solutions.
If you’re interested in accommodating a Belfast sink then you need to cut out a suitable aperture.
Afterwards, you need to re-finish the exposed chipboard with edging strips.
Whilst the edging strip does hide the chipboard core of a laminate worktop, it does not necessarily provide a fully waterproof protection, and so using any undermounted sink – including a Belfast sink – is not recommended.
How robust are Belfast sinks?
It goes without saying that the Belfast sinks are among the most durable sinks that I’ve come across in my life.
However, when compared to a stainless steel sink, it’s relatively less robust and durable.
In layman’s terms, the probability of it breaking is more as compared to a stainless steel sink when a delicate item of crockery is dropped into from a significant height.
How many Litres does a Belfast sink hold?
Frankly speaking, there isn’t any hard and fast rule.
However, on an average large bowl Belfast sink can hold up to 42.3 litres.
Wrapping Up
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort in coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information on Belfast sink.
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That’s all, as of now :):)
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