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Sink

technology Maturity 11-13 Next article →

A sink is a bowl-shaped tool used for washing.

Luxury sink
Luxury sink

You might use one to wash your hands or clean dishes. In the UK, people often call a sink a basin. Most sinks have a tap, which is also called a faucet. The tap supplies hot and cold water to the bowl. Some taps even have a spray feature for fast rinsing. Sinks also have a drain to remove used water.

Stainless Steel Sink
Stainless Steel Sink

This drain might have a strainer to catch small items. It may also have a device to stop overflows.

Sinks work by moving water in and out of a bowl. First, the tap lets fresh water flow into the sink. You can use this water for many different tasks. Next, the used water moves toward the drain at the bottom. This drain can have a shut-off device to stop the water. Some sinks even have a soap dispenser built right in. Many kitchen sinks are placed inside or next to a counter. This makes it easy to reach the water while you work.

People have used different ways to wash for a long time. In the late 18th century, people in the United States used washstands.

Stainless Steel Sink
Stainless Steel Sink

These were small tables that held a pitcher and a deep bowl. This style followed an English tradition. Later, people made something called a dry sink. Between 1820 and 1900, these sinks changed quite a bit. They became wooden cabinets with a trough on the top. This trough was lined with metal like zinc or lead.

Many different materials are used to make sinks today. Stainless steel is very common in kitchens and businesses.

Stainless Steel Sink
Stainless Steel Sink

It is a good choice because it is strong and easy to clean. Workers make these sinks by drawing metal over a die. Some very deep sinks are made by welding pieces together. Other materials include soapstone, granite, and copper. You might also see sinks made of quartz or porcelain. Some sinks are even made of cast iron or fire clay.

There are many special styles of sinks to discover. A butler's sink is a rectangular ceramic sink.

Luxury sink
Luxury sink

These come in two types called London sinks and Belfast sinks. A Belfast sink has an overflow weir to stop spills. This part drains extra water into the wastewater plumbing. You might also see a vessel sink in a bathroom. These are free-standing sinks that sit on top of furniture. They can be decorated with many different finishes and styles.

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File:Luxury sink.jpg
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File:Stainless Steel Sink.jpg
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