Concrete Laundry Tub
This is a great photo of the underside of a concrete laundry tub. This drain assembly just needs to be cleaned of the rust and painted with a rust-inhibitive paint. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
"I believe the reason they're so strong is that the manufacturers decided to make the concrete mix quite rich adding a small amount of extra Portland cement."
Concrete Laundry Tub Checklist
- Concrete laundry tub is fantastic. Do not get rid of yours! Valuable!!
- Contain high amounts of Portland cement and wire mesh reinforcing
- WATCH concrete epoxy video below
- Use Stain Solver oxygen bleach to deep clean concrete
- CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!
DEAR TIM: I have a 1938 Cape Cod stone house with a behemoth laundry sink in the basement. It appears to be made of concrete, soap stone or something similar and has two giant tubs.
It's supported by a steel stand that's in pretty good shape with some minor rust. Can you identify it?
How long have these sinks been around? How can I clean and restore it?
Also, the faucet holes aren't standard size or distance can I fill and drill new ones? Chris R., Lexington, KY
DEAR CHRIS: You bet I can identify it.
Among other things, I'm a master plumber and I've owned and moved several of these monster sinks. Believe it or not, you're the proud owner of a collector's item. You've got a marvelous precast concrete laundry tub that's nearly indestructible.
When Were Concrete Laundry Tubs Invented?
Concrete laundry tubs were invented and displayed for the world to see at the 1867 Paris Exposition.
Who Invented Concrete Laundry Tubs?
A man by the name of Joseph Monier invented concrete laundry tubs. He was a gardener who started making steel-reinforced concrete tubs and pots because he was dissatisfied with clay and wood pots that would fall apart.
This is a magnificent concrete laundry tub that’s stood the test of time and can serve many future generations once cleaned up. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
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Is Concrete Strong?
Concrete is strong when you try to compress it, but if you try to stretch or bend it, it's weak. Steel is exceptionally strong if you try to stretch it.
You can make beams, columns, suspended slabs, bridges, boats, and even laundry tubs when you combine the concrete and steel in the right configuration!
Have you Used These Sinks?
The house I lived in from age 2 until 22 had a double-basin concrete sink. This concrete laundry tub was just on the other side of the wall from where I slept.
I was lucky enough to have concrete laundry tubs in the first two houses I owned. As you might imagine, they came in different models with one, two or three sink basins. The sinks weigh hundreds and hundreds of pounds.
Why Are the Concrete Sinks So Durable?
I believe the reason they're so durable is that the manufacturers decided to make the concrete mix quite rich adding a small amount of extra Portland cement.
They added enough Portland cement so the concrete probably tested out at 6,000 pounds per square inch or higher compressive strength.
Years ago when the sinks were made this extra cement, probably only cost the manufacturers a nickel since there's not that much cement volume in each sink. What a wise decision it was!
Here's a closeup shot of the underside of the tub's drain. Remove the rust, paint it, install a PVC tailpiece with a flange and a disposal washer and you're good to go! Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
What Is the Top Lip Material?
It's important to realize the top lip of these sinks is made from steel so the edge won't chip. The workmanship that went into creating each of these sinks is of the highest quality. I've seen hundreds of these sinks in my career and all of them are impressive.
How Do You Repair Cracks and Crumbles?
I feel it's best to repair cracks and crumbled areas with modern concrete epoxy.
A point often overlooked is the best method to restore the sink surfaces. Use the best concrete-repair epoxy I've ever used, if you want to repair a crack in one of these grand sinks, or fill in a crumbling area.
What is the Best Epoxy to Use?
I've had the best success with the PC-Products Epoxy in a tube. See it just below in the photo? CLICK HERE to have it delivered to your home in days.
This is a wonderful DIY foundation repair epoxy. I've used it with great results. CLICK THE IMAGE TO ORDER IT NOW.
Concrete Epoxy Repair Video
Watch this video to see how to repair cracks in concrete.
How Do You Restore The Steel Stand?
I'd start the steel stand restoration process by removing any rust. If you need a new stand, see below where I talk about hiring a local welder.
CLICK HERE if you want to get FREE BIDS from local welders who'll make a new stand for you.
Use a high-quality paint made to paint steel after the stand is sanded and ready for primer and paint.
This is a fantastic spray paint for steel. You can also get it in small cans if you want to brush it on. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW AND HAVE THIS PAINT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.
The stand probably was painted black when the sink was new. It could have been a dark gray as well.
How Do You Strip Paint From Concrete?
Use regular paint stripper to strip paint from the concrete surfaces.
Start to remove any paint from the inside of the sink basin walls after you have the steel stand repainted. Remove paint with common paste paint strippers. Follow the directions on the label and be sure the space is well ventilated if you're using a stripper that contains methylene chloride.
What's the Best Cleaner?
I feel the best cleaner for the sink is a low-grade abrasive cleaner.
I would then try to scrub the sides of the sink with Soft Scrub abrasive cleaner. While it's available at most grocery stores, you can CLICK HERE and have it delivered to your home.
This is the infamous Soft Scrub. I've used it for years. It contains very fine silica sand or volcanic pumice as the abrasive. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOORSTEP.
Just test it on a small area at first using a scrub brush with stiff nylon bristles. Do not use a wire brush of any type, especially one on a spinning power tool. That will damage the concrete surface in no time.
How Can You Remove Oil Stains?
Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. CLICK THE IMAGE to order some NOW.
You'll have fantastic results removing oil stains and any organic stains using a powerful oxygen bleach solution. I prefer Stain Solver, a pure white powder you mix with warm or hot water.
It's certified organic, it's Made in the USA with USA ingredients, and it's got the highest percentage of active ingredient that I know of. Stain Solver is non-toxic and has no odor.
Just spritz the sides of the sink with the solution keeping the concrete wet for an hour or more. Don't let the solution dry.
Every fifteen minutes, scrub with the brush and see if you're making progress. If so, keep at it until you get the sink clean.
IMPORTANT TIP: Realize if you use muriatic acid to try to clean the sink, you'll damage the steel lip and you'll erode some of the cement paste that makes the inside of the sink basins so smooth. I'd not recommend using acid at all.
Can You Drill New Holes in a Concrete Sink?
You can drill new holes in a concrete sink that will work for a modern faucet. It's best to create the holes with a diamond hole-cutting saw. Realize you'll have to make certain the blade can cut through tiny steel wire that you're sure to encounter in the concrete matrix.
Diamond hole saws are affordable and there are many to choose from. Always read the reviews and invest wisely. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THE HOLE SAWS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.
Where Can I Locate a Faucet That Uses Existing Holes?
Before you do this radical modification to the sink, please consider taking the time to visit plumbing supply houses where plumbers purchase most of their products. These unique businesses can be found in just about every large or medium city. They rarely advertise, but believe me they exist.
There's a great chance these supply houses will have a faucet that will work using the existing holes in the sink.
Can A Local Welder Help?
If that doesn't work, I'd be inclined to work with a local welder who works in stainless steel. See if he can't fabricate a mount that has holes for modern faucets.
This mount would have small bolts that would allow you to use the existing holes to pull the mount tight to the sink and leave enough space for the water supply lines to feed the faucet.
If your sink needs a new steel base, this same welder can fabricate one in less than an hour using small 1/8-inch x 1-inch angle iron. Be sure there's plenty of cross bracing so the stand will not collapse.
CLICK HERE if you want to get FREE BIDS from local welders who'll make a new stand for you.
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Tim built custom homes and did ultra-custom remodeling for 20+ years before launching his Ask the Builder media presence. He was selected as one of the Big 50 by Remodeling magazine in 1993. This award gave birth to Ask the Builder in October 1993. Tim also operates https://DrawPlumbingPlans.com. His @askthebuilder YouTube channel was the first home improvement channel on YouTube.
Hi,
I am the proud owner of a really old concrete laundry tub. I am interested in cleaning it up and maybe refinishing it. Could you recommend products for both?
I have one of these, and after using some paint stripper made for the block walls of my basement (which ironically didn't remove the old paint), I put the brush in the tub and rinsed it out... About 20min later I went to get the brush and the chemical had eroded and cracked the entire concrete edge around the drain! Be careful using paint remover in these! No idea how I'm going to fix mine now...
Hi there - I'm so thrilled to be inheriting one of these sinks with a house purchase. Any thoughts on repairing a crack in the concrete? Thanks!
Lauren,
I just went up and REVISED the column putting in a link to a page you need to see. You'll see it above under: Cracks and Crumble Repair. Here's the link as well:
http://www.askthebuilder.com/concrete-epoxy-repair-products/
Thanks so much!
I would like to have a stand built for my sink. are there any plans that your aware of.
Donna,
You don't need a plan, just a photo of a stand. I revised the column above after reading your question and included links to local welders who can make the stand. Go up and check them out. Or, you can use this:
http://www.homeadvisor.com/ext/32181948
Under the paint, my sink was smooth in some places, but rough in others. Is cement epoxy the right way to fix the rough spots? Can it be troweled over almost the whole surface to restore the smoothness or must it all be sanded down? Hate to fill the basement with concrete dust...
Use the Ask Tim link above and send in GREAT photos showing the sink and uneveness. I can't give you great advice until I see the sink.
Tim, what's the best, most durable paint to use on a repaired concrete utility sink? I plan to follow your advice on repairing some cracks in our 1940s sink, but need guidance on a good paint to recoat the interior. Thanks!
Easy.
Cement paint. Read this past column - trust me, it will make sense. Just pay attention to the cement paint part.
https://www.askthebuilder.com/resurfacing-concrete/
You may need two coats or three. Apply each coat about four hours after the first one.
Then COVER the sink TIGHTLY with plastic as soon as you put on the last coat. Leave the plastic on for at least two days to get the cement paint to cure and harden.
I'd LOVE to see before and after photos if you don't mind.
Maybe I am wrong, but I think Kirsten S was asking about what paint to use on the "finished" sink interior? I have the same question: what is the best choice for a final seal and cosmetic flair for the sink interior? I epoxied some of the dimples/cracks in mine, and have sanded/primed the inside, but wasn't sure what type of paint or sealer to finish it off with (regular eggshell or gloss interior paint, a special cement paint, etc?). It gets wet from time to time, but never any standing water for significant lengths of time. Thanks for any advice!
I understood what Kirsten was asking and gave her the best answer. Go read that column about cement paint.
If you make the mistake and apply a typical paint, even an epoxy paint, at some point it's going to peel and you'll have a NIGHTMARE on your hands.
That won't happen with cement paint. GL as we say in Morse.
Here is the tailpiece assembly.
https://www.chicagofaucetshoppe.com/Tapered-Cement-Sink-Drain-Assembly-Kit-p/cfs-cemsnkdrn1.htm
Can you show me a picture of how the repaired drain goes back together with the PVC tailpipe and flange? I just inherited one of these sinks and the bottom is leaking. It's rusted out just like the one in your picture. Thank you.
No I can't. I don't have one of these concrete tubs at my house.
Hi Tim
I have one my grandmothers and it has 3 basins on advice from a plumber they wanted to replace it with plastic. It’s grey it does leak but not cracked that I can see only the lip is busted how do you fix the lip and the leaky plumbing ?
Thanks Nick
Hi Tim,
I have a few hair line cracks in the bottom of in my cement sink and I don't want them to develop in a serious problem. Should I smooth on a thin layer of the concrete epoxy that comes in the tube? Or will cement paint work or be better for these hair line fractures?
I like to know the best method to use. Thank you in advance!
I would use the epoxy. CLICK the link for it above. Use some on the bottom too on the underside of the sink. You can use a putty knife on the inside of the sink to flatten out the epoxy so it's just 1/16th-inch thick.
Hi Tim. I have a concrete double tub in my basement and recently water is seeping up from the basement floor from the back outer leg of the laundry tub at random.(not always when do laundry, not when it's raining , etc). I've had a handyman put cement around the leg
which stopped the leak for about2 months but now it's leaking again. Any ideas where it's coming from and how to fix it? Thanks in advance.
Hi there, we have a concrete laundry tub in great condition except the bottom of the sink on the inside has many exposed stones from where the concrete has worn away. How would we repair this? Would a concrete epoxy hold?
I think I just removed one of these from my laundry room, it's incredibly heavy! How much does it usually sell for?
What would be a safe way to move the sink and stand in order to replace piping and flooring underneath? I’m afraid to damage the sink or stand.
Simple. Get two or three very strong people to lift the sink. Set it on a wood pallet temporarily. Refurbish the stand during the process by repainting it to ensure it doesn't rust.
Hi Tim! What a great website.
I am in Australia and trying to find out why an old concrete laundry tub is turning water the colour of coolant green when it hits the steel edge of the tub. It's really weird and I wish I could attach a photo. I suspect it's some mineral in the steel reacting to the water? Would appreciate your thoughts.
Cheers,
Dorin : )
This may cause many to hate me but I am thinking of trying to remove the divider in my concrete tub to make it easier to wash the dog. I am figuring that it is required for structural strength but maybe I could just remove the the center section of the divider and leave a gusset lip for support. Anyone want to talk me out of this?
Our flange is really rusted...how can we find a replacement? Or any suggestions?
Thinking about removing the center divider of my tub. Plan on leaving enough of a rib for strength. Would this compromise the entire tub?
I acquired an old double basin concrete sink that needs new drain hardware. I live in Massachusetts and have called as far as Chicago to no avail... Any idea where I can lay my hands on the plumbing hardware for this thing, and IS IT POSSIBLE to replace the hardware??
Is there any way to remove the partition from the sink to make it one huge basin?
Where can I buy one of those flanges for the bottom of my concrete laundry tub. The nut rusted and leaked, on the extention pipe, so we removed it, thinking we could go to the local home disapointment store , yeah, not so much.
My drains on my concrete laundry tubs are leaking. What would be the best way to fix them? The sink is bolted to basement floor. The leak is causing the legs to rust. Where do I start?