Plugs & Wastes

Wastes look interchangeable and are not. Ordering the wrong one is among the most common mistakes in a bathroom order.

Basin wastes — slotted or unslotted?

Look at your basin. If there is a small overflow hole near the top of the bowl you need a slotted waste, which lets overflow water pass into the drain. No overflow hole means an unslotted waste.

Get this wrong and either the overflow cannot drain, or the waste leaks from the slot. See basin wastes.

Bath wastes come as a kit

Plug, overflow and the pipe linking them. Check the depth available below the bath — on a low or freestanding bath a shallow trap may be needed. The overflow is not decorative; it is what stops an unattended tap flooding the room. See bath wastes.

Shower tray wastes

Most modern trays take a 90mm fast flow waste; level access trays use a 50mm threaded outlet. Not interchangeable — check the tray specification. See shower tray wastes.

Wet room wastes are different again

These bond to the former and clamp the floor finish. Tiled and vinyl floors need different wastes and a standard trap will not seal. See wet floor former wastes and our waste selection guide.

Match the finish

A chrome waste under matt black brassware is immediately noticeable.