Darkroom Sink Install + Ideas

I‘ve been fortunate enough to find a small affordable art studio that I’m converting to a darkroom with free permission to do just about anything I need. The space has a small slop sink which is great, but I’ve opted to install a 30”x96” stainless steel sink next to it. Most days will be 8x10 prints but I do have plans for some larger 16x20” print runs and the occasional 20x24” piece.

My sink was delivered yesterday (it’s beautiful) and now I’m at a place where I have to learn how to install the drain. There’s one drain pipe for the existing sink in the room, I’d like to have this sink connect to that same drain pipe. Is that frowned upon?

I’m planning on running a faucet to the middle of the sink with a quick connect hose that can reach both ends of the sink. I have an 11x14 print washer that will live semi permanently in the far edge of the sink.

My sink is just resting on top of the workbench. Do I need to build a box for the sink so it’s not resting directly on the wood top? Should I be concerned about condensation or anything like that? My workbench is adjustable in height, I can raise one side up 1” so the sink has an appropriate 1/8” decline per foot. I have the sink oriented with the drain in the back right corner, assuming I would attach the drain pipe to the back wall and run it lengthwise back underneath the sink to the original slop sinks drain.

Simple questions I’m sure, but hey I’m a photographer not a handyman! I’d love to get some ideas of how to tackle this part of the build. Thanks!

xtol121 said:

I‘ve been fortunate enough to find a small affordable art studio that I’m converting to a darkroom with free permission to do just about anything I need. The space has a small slop sink which is great, but I’ve opted to install a 30”x96” stainless steel sink next to it. Most days will be 8x10 prints but I do have plans for some larger 16x20” print runs and the occasional 20x24” piece.

My sink was delivered yesterday (it’s beautiful) and now I’m at a place where I have to learn how to install the drain. There’s one drain pipe for the existing sink in the room, I’d like to have this sink connect to that same drain pipe. Is that frowned upon?

I’m planning on running a faucet to the middle of the sink with a quick connect hose that can reach both ends of the sink. I have an 11x14 print washer that will live semi permanently in the far edge of the sink.

My sink is just resting on top of the workbench. Do I need to build a box for the sink so it’s not resting directly on the wood top? Should I be concerned about condensation or anything like that? My workbench is adjustable in height, I can raise one side up 1” so the sink has an appropriate 1/8” decline per foot. I have the sink oriented with the drain in the back right corner, assuming I would attach the drain pipe to the back wall and run it lengthwise back underneath the sink to the original slop sinks drain.

Simple questions I’m sure, but hey I’m a photographer not a handyman! I’d love to get some ideas of how to tackle this part of the build. Thanks!

Click to expand...

You should be able to use the same drain, assuming that there's proper venting in the wall. I would consult a good plumber. The drain needs a functioning p- trap. I would ask the plumber, might make sense to have the drain in the front left corner.

Plumber would have all the tools to run PEX water lines anywhere you want exposed on the wall (easily removed or modified)

A couple of ideas for you. If possible install an exhaust system on the wall side of the sink. Cut three thirty inch by thirty-two inch by half or three quarter inch (thick) pieces of plywood painted with marine epoxy to cover the sink when not used as a sink to make additional counter space -- they will be easier to handle and can removed individually if some access to the sink is needed. Place two bar style faucets at the end opposite the drain one of which you can attach a permanent hose to rinse trays and such. And lastly place a good cartridge water filter in the water line.

ABOUT | JEFFREY GLASSER

HOME | SCULPTURE and PHOTOGRAPHY

That is probably designed to sit in a frame. 2X6 lumber maybe. Run a shelf across the back over the top of sink and mount all the plumbing under it. As someone already stated a faucet at both ends will be good. My main darkroom has a sink about that same size 30X110 inches and I installed 3 faucets. Laundry faucets are low cost. Shower valves work good too. Learn to use PEX, (youtube) buy the tools, a cutter and a clamp tool for the stainless band clamps and you will be in business. Your stainless steel sink as a thing of beauty my friend have fun.

Spin the sink around so the drain is close to the slop sink.

Thanks everyone! I ended up chatting with a contractor friend from home and we talked a bit about the volume of the sink and the actual amount of water that will be going down the drain and how minuscule it was compared to what will be going through the slop sink. He didn’t think there was a problem with keeping the drain tidy in the back corner as long as I have the proper fall of the drain pipe and that I include a P-trap.

My main reason for the back right drain is keeping a left to right workflow and having my print washer live at the end of the line on the right side. I also have a film processor (dev.a) that will live to the right of the sink and drain in there. The machine can’t go on the other side because it would be blocking the slop sink and would impede my enlarger on the dry side. I’ll try and post more pics of the space soon!

@jeffreyg I love the idea of a flyaway table for the top. That’d be really convenient!

I will be doing an exhaust vent over the sink. The wall behind the sink is an exterior wall and the owner has no problem with me placing a small vent anywhere on that wall provided it’s done professionally. Hoping that will be the only task I need to hire out for.

Noted on the PEX. I wasn’t sure what would be best to bring some water over but PEX seems to perform without much effort. I’ll be going that route for sure. Most likely doing two faucets since it doesn’t seem too difficult with what I’ve read.

@ags2mikon yeah, the sink really wants to be inside of a container I’m realizing. Mainly because when the sink is empty it’s pretty easy to move and I’d hate to have it shifting. I’m now planning on building a box that will “float” the sink. I’ll secure that box to the work bench with a few screws.

Thanks everyone!