Expert advice on buying a reclaimed butler’s sink

Reclaimed butler’s sinks may have oodles of rustic charm, but make sure what you’re buying is up to the job

If you’re planning a kitchen update, a reclaimed ceramic sink is a stunning centrepiece in your space, providing character as well as reassuring solidity. Durable, scratch- and stain-resistant, easy to clean and immensely practical, it’s easy to see why reclaimed fireclay sinks are so popular and have stood the test of time. And they’re easy to source at reclamation yards, such as Watling Reclamation, Authentic Reclamation and The Beechfield Reclamation Co.

The terminology can seem confusing at first. Butler or London sinks are so-named because they were created for use in a butler’s pantry. These tend to be shallower than Belfast sinks, possibly to conserve precious water, which was scarce and had to be drawn from deep wells in 18th-century London. They also don’t have a built-in overflow, maybe to prevent waste.

Belfast sinks were originally designed in that city and traditionally feature a built-in overflow weir. Some say this is because water was less scarce in Belfast, but others argue that it’s not really an ‘overflow’ at all because the small opening doesn’t efficiently drain water away in the event that a tap is left running – and it’s intended purpose is actually to let air into the drain when the sink is full, thus speeding up draining.

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From salt-glazed, patterned models to chunky, simple white designs with elegant maker’s marks such as Royal Doulton, there’s a sink out there to suit every style and budget. Adam Hills from Retrouvius has sourced and installed salvaged sinks into several chic kitchens over the years.

‘I quite like rough-looking things. A crack in a porcelain basin can be fatal, but with fireclay kitchen sinks you can get away with little chips and scratches because they’re so robust,’ he says. ‘These imperfections all add to the charm too. A salvaged sink is a great way to introduce a vintage element to a kitchen, which is a space with newer appliances.’

Adam points out that some sinks are less suitable for kitchen use than others. ‘Make sure the sink you buy has an overflow and that it’s not blocked,’ he advises. ‘A lot of sinks from school labs don’t have overflows, for example, which makes draining slow.’

It’s also worth looking at the waste underneath the sink to see if it will need replacing. ‘Quite often the bottom thread of the waste can get damaged, so make sure it’s intact, or you’ll have to change the whole thing,’ says Adam. ‘I think they look better with a brass slotted waste, but they’re not easy to get hold of. A plumber’s merchant should be able to order one for you though.’

The sheer weight of a reclaimed sink can come as a shock, so ensure a seamless delivery is arranged in advance, and a sturdy structural plinth is prepared ready to hold the weight in your finished location.

Style idea

• Damaged sinks can be picked up fairly inexpensively at reclamation yards and make fantastic garden planters, filled with herbs and flowers

WORDS: ELLIE TENNANT