How To Install a Utility Sink in a Barn

In this video, Ask This Old House master plumber Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink in Mark McCullough’s chicken barn.

How to Install a Utility Sink in a Barn

1. Determine the location for the utility sink in the barn. Ideally, it’ll be on the wall closest to the house to avoid running more pipe than necessary.
2. On the outside of the wall behind the sink’s location, dig a hole and install a dry well catch basin. Dig the hole at least a foot deep and place a few inches of gravel in the bottom. Install the catch basin on top.
3. Locate the water supply coming from the house and shut it off. Use the shovel to dig a trench to the barn.
4. Use a tubing cutter to cut the valve off of the water pipe and install a fitting in its place. Connect the new run of polyethylene tubing to the other end of the fitting. Run the new tubing to the sink’s location in the barn.
5. Assemble the utility sink kit by attaching the legs to the bottom of the sink. Place the sink in its location and drill holes in the floor to secure it with the concrete anchors. Also, assemble the drain kit and attach it to the sink using the tongue and groove pliers.
6. Use the hole saw to cut a hole through the wall for the drain pipe. Use PVC pipe, elbows, and PVC cement to attach the drain to the catch basin before backfilling the soil around the catch basin.
7. If you’re only supplying cold water, use a tee fitting to connect the hoses coming from the faucet’s cold and hot water valves to the supply line. Turn the water on and check for leaks.

Resources

Richard installed a Utilatub Combo 20×24″ Thermoplastic Floor Mount Laundry Tub. The kit comes with the water supply and drain lines required to hook up to the water supply. The utility sink kit is manufactured by MUSTEE.

To connect the sink to Mark’s existing lines, Richard used a roll of polyethylene tubing and various fittings found at home centers and plumbing supply houses.

Due to the planned usage for the sink, Richard opted to use a dry well system rather than connect it to a drain line. He and Mark installed a 12×12″ Drainage Catch Basin manufactured by NDS. Below and around the hole, Mark filled in with crushed stone found at home centers and landscape supply stores.

Shopping list

• Dry well catch basin
• Crushed stone
• Polyethylene pipe
• Various fittings, including elbows and tees
• Utility sink kit
• Concrete anchors
• Drain kit
• Various PVC pipes and fittings
• PVC Cement

Tools