Replacing 1950s tiled in sinks?

Alec Moody · **Joined:** Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:02 am **Posts:** 299

Hi all,
I in the process of fixing up my bathrooms and I have 3 of these cast iron enamel sinks with rusting overflow drains. All 3 of them are tiled into the counter tops like this: http://i.imgur.com/gQ3nZnv.jpg

As far as I can tell, nobody makes replacement sinks in this style, and getting them sinks out from the tile without breaking anything is going to be difficult. Has anyone done this before? I am looking to replace these sinks without having to retile the both of my bathrooms (tile wraps into shower stalls and around walls in both bathrooms).

George Bright · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2015 9:49 am

There are contractors who recoat tubs in place. These guys say they refinish showers, tubs, and sinks:

http://trianglerefinishing.com/

Alec Moody · **Joined:** Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:02 am **Posts:** 299

Mark is a tarheel member. My concern with re-coating the sinks is the rot and damage on the overflow. It would at least need to be ground out to a larger size before coating.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2015 11:24 am

I don't think the re-coating would work in this case probably because the rust is likely extended down into the drain and there isn't going to be a way to stop that from spreading.

I think replacement is likely the best option there but not sure it will be possible without breaking some tile. Have you checked around to see if anybody can get a replacement tile that would match? I know that color obviously isn't popular these days but it seems like somebody would make tile to do repairs like that.

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2015 2:10 pm

Maybe the Habitat for Humanity Restore has some salvaged sinks that would fit?

George Bright · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2015 2:32 pm

To go the replacement route I would first remove the faucet and use a dremel cut off wheel to cut the grout around the bullnose tile that surrounds the sink. Then try to cut under the tile where it meets the sink. You will probably break some of the bullnose tiles but you can replace them with a complementary color if you cannot get the original color. Once you get the bullnose tiles out you should be able to remove the sink and hopefully find one that goes in that hole or a slightly bigger hole.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:28 am

George Bright wrote:

To go the replacement route I would first remove the faucet and use a dremel cut off wheel to cut the grout around the bullnose tile that surrounds the sink. Then try to cut under the tile where it meets the sink. You will probably break some of the bullnose tiles but you can replace them with a complementary color if you cannot get the original color. Once you get the bullnose tiles out you should be able to remove the sink and hopefully find one that goes in that hole or a slightly bigger hole.

Agreed. I would cut it out from below. You need to find a drop in sink to go back in the hole. Likely will lose the bull nose surround but that might not be a bad thing.

Or you could go with one of the bowl type sinks that sit on top of the vanity cabinet.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-Bathroom-Sinks-Vessel-Sinks/N-5yc1vZbz9i

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Replacing 1950s tiled in sinks?

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