What kind of sink can I use outdoors, exposed to the weather?

Question

I am building a potting bench outside, and would like to put in a sink. Can I use a stainless steel sink outside, or does it need to be plastic or resin? Where can I find one? I definitely don't want one of those plastic portable potting benches you can buy at Home Depot or Lowe's. What types of material are exceptable for outdoor use that will be exposed to sun, rain, etc.? It won't be in a covered area.

Answer 1

Well, let's see now. You want to get a sink that will be exposed to water outside? Most sinks are pretty much water proof. Sun affects plastics. So I would go with stainless steel. Cheap, light, and will last forever.

DT. Stainless won't stain but it will rust? Naaaaaa. The type of stainless that sinks are made from won't rust.

Answer 2

Well, Punk, you made my day...do you feel lucky? (Couldn't resist some Dirty Harry lines.) Me, I'd buy about 10 bags of pea gravel and a bunch of cedar or redwood 2x4's...but first, I'd go to a salvage yard or recycling center (lucky me, living near Berkeley, we are replete w/recycling of building materials galore) and look for 2x4's, 4x4's and/or 2x6's of cedar or redwood and an old-fashioned concrete laundry double-sink (or two): deep and good for large pots or a farm-house type of sink, usually enameled cast iron. Pick the spot for the whole affair, spread out the pea gravel in such a way that the gravel is under the frame and sink AND where you'll be standing, otherwise you'll be in mud...or add some thick flagstone/pavers on top of the gravel for you to stand on. Important: water supply and drainage. But you seem smart enough to have figured that part out already. I would use bigass bolts, washers, lock-washers and nuts, all galvanized (stainless is $$$ but classy)...better than nails and they're adjustable!

Answer 3

I wouldn't go with a metal product, stainless steel. Stainless steel mean just that, it doesn't stain, but it will rust. If it rains overnight, or when you're gone for a weekend, at the water sits in the sink, it will leave a rust mark. Especially if you are going to use it in a gardening situation, where the sink will take a bit of abuse from pots, trowels, rocks etc. What you can get tho, is a poly laundry tub. A plumbing specialty store will have them, probably not available at home depot's as they just sell common products to the masses (maybe at the contractors desk). A poly tub stands about 36" tall on 4 legs and is really nice and deep, usually about 20" deep, so it would probably be perfect for your application, then you can either screw it or clamp it to you gardening bench.

Answer 4

Any non-plastic sink will be OK. they're all 'weatherproof`.
Your problems will be:
Weather proof mounting stand, or hardware that doesn't compromist the house wall.
Freeze protection for the piping, (if your far enough north.)
Covering the thing so the drain is not clogged by windblown leaves etc.

Answer 5

Stainless steel should be fine or you can get a cast iron sink with a ceramic coating. If you have a salvage place close that sells that sort of thing it might save you some money

Answer 6

Potting Bench Home Depot

Answer 7

stainless stays stainless. Ceramic sinks will last a long time too (think of all those drinkingwater fountains.) Plastic/fibreglass and the like are tacky

Answer 8

I have seen old stainless steel sinks in builder's skips ( dumpsters) perfectly OK for your job.

Answer 9

Home depot just started selling a plastic sink basin that you simply hook the garden hose up to.199.00 i think..it has the side units for setting plants on, cleaning fish etc..

Answer 10

Stainless mounted in a pressure treated lumber frame would work fine.