Do I need an outdoor sink? Yes! You do. Whether it is for gardening or grilling an outdoor sink is a handy addition to your backyard. From the inexpensive to the extravagant. The designer to the DIY. There is a sink out there to fit your needs.
Why have to run inside to clean your vegetables? Or to descale fish? Or clean a skinned knee? An outdoor sink is a convenient place to do all of these things. While almost every house has at least one spigot bringing water from the inside to the outside the majority of people just do nothing more than attach a hose to it. With an easily accessible water source at your fingertips, why not take advantage of it to make your life easier? Busy homeowners are spending more time than ever in their backyard and little conveniences can feel like luxuries.
Outdoor Kitchen Sink
When you are the backyard barbecue king and are still running in and out of the house to rinse a dropped pair of tongs, that’s a problem. Did you spend extra money for a side burner on the grill so you could cook everything outside but have to bring the water from the kitchen to fill the pot? That’s a problem. But there is a simple solution.
An outdoor kitchen sink is one of those things you may not have realized you were missing. But once you get one you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
You can watch this 12-minute video on how to make this great DIY cabinet/sink combo by clicking here. Now a plain old grill becomes an outdoor kitchen. Having a place to store cookware, utensils, and even spices is so convenient. Most prep and clean-up can be done right by the grill. The clean-up crew no longer has to miss any of the party.
This outdoor sink area is perfect for both barbecuing and gardening. Get the plans for it here. I love how the open design has an airy feel but still allows for storage. Painting it black gives a dramatic effect and causes it to really pop yet somehow still blend in naturally.
If you don’t want to do it yourself there are always contractors available to do it for you. Homeadvisor.com states, your budget for sink installation should be between $200 and $1,100, including the sink itself.
Outdoor Garden Sink
I have the above sink in my backyard. I got mine on Amazon, click here to see current pricing.
Every gardener needs an outdoor sink. For your average backyard gardener, it can be as simple as a potting bench with a sink to hold water or even one that attaches to the outdoor spigot and has a place to coil the garden hose. Gardening can be backbreaking. After a long morning being hunched over in the garden it’s nice to be able to stand at a sink to clean off the garden tools or rinse the veggies.
Outdoor Utility Sink
If you are a crafter it’s great to have an outdoor sink to clean up in. Having a multi-purpose utility sink outside keeps the mess from finding its way into the house.
When you have bicycles or motorcycles an outdoor utility sink is a must-have to wash up those greasy hands.
Keep the fish guts and scales from getting all over your kitchen with a utility sink that has a workspace designed for cutting. This portable one can be packed up and taken on the go and easily stored away when not needed.
Check out similar styles of tables with sinks by clicking here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
More Cool Ideas
Try an outdoor sink made from copper. Copper will never rust so it makes a great choice for outside. Stone vessel sinks are also a great outdoor choice and create quite a unique look. A galvanized steel tub will work beautifully and creates a nice rustic or farmhouse feel. The steel will eventually rust, but not for a very long time. Using stock tanks is becoming very popular and a small tank makes for an interesting sink. It’s also a useful addition if you have dogs, making the perfect outdoor bathtub.
A sink is also an awesome addition to an outdoor bar area. Your family and friend will never want to go home.
Here is a link to a similar Bar Sink you might like.
Installation Basics
Most outdoor sinks require no plumbing skills. You can use the garden hose for a connection if you are only looking to have cold water. For drainage, if you’re not going for beauty, only function, a PVC pipe can be affixed to drain the basin into a bucket for a simple design.
However, if you are doing a fancy outdoor kitchen you may want to consult a professional. Tony La Martina Plumbing Company Inc has this advice. Building an outdoor kitchen is a big undertaking. DIY plumbing is not recommended. Beware that special skills and knowledge are needed to prevent plumbing disasters like leaks, freezing, and burst pipes. Whether you decide to hire a professional or do the work yourself, here are the basic steps:
- Add a water supply line from inside the house, with shutoff valves and drain plugs at the lowest point.
- Run the supply line through the wall of the house and out to the outdoor kitchen.
- Route the pipe through the bottom of the outdoor sink base cabinet.
- Install male-threaded adapters for the sink tubes.
- Install a PVC drainpipe and a sink trap adapter.
- Connect the sink and the trap.
- Dig a hole for a dry well at least 10 feet away.
- Dig a trench out to the dry well, sloping down and away from the house.
- Run a PVC drain line through the trench.
- Install the dry well, connecting the drain line through a hole in the side.
Always check with your town before starting any project. Most towns have codes for everything. You may need a permit if the sink will be a permanent fixture. Some towns require that a licensed plumber is needed for certain connections. Better a few bucks to do it the legal way now, rather than hundreds of dollars in fines later. And don’t forget to winterize any outdoor water lines.
