Bathrooms are naturally wet areas, so you may not think much about seeing water pooling on your bathroom counter. However, it would help if you didn’t overlook it as it could at the very least make your washroom unpleasant to use.
Moreover, it may indicate a more significant plumbing issue; hence it is best to deal with it early before it escalates into something huge. It is essential to keep your bathroom countertops dry for hygiene purposes and simply make the area presentable.
Therefore, let’s explore the causes and solutions for water pooling on your bathroom counter.
Reasons for Water Pooling On the Bathroom Counter
Water may be forming a pool on your bathroom counter for different reasons. You may be splashing water on your countertops whenever you use your bathroom sink to wash your hands, face, or clean anything else.
Faucet
Faucets come in various materials, styles, and finishes, so finding one that suits your bathroom sink may seem overwhelming. A lot of people pick faucets based on appearance, which is a mistake.
While it is essential to have a faucet that complements your bathroom décor, you must also ensure it works. For that reason, consider the number of handles, spout reach and height, conventional vs. pull-down sprayers, and how many holes are in the sink.
The best height for the spout will depend on the type of sink you have. For instance, a tall spout doesn’t go well with a shallow sink.
Side sprayers are more susceptible to leaks and dribbles, so you are better off with a pull-down sprayer since it is more reliable.
The Sink Depth
The depth of your sink is a significant determinant when picking your bathroom faucet and sink combination to prevent pooling on the counter. For example, a vessel sink requires a tall enough faucet to clear the bowl tip.
A vessel or bowl sink generates giant splashing because of its curvature, especially when paired with a high-arc faucet. Your vessel sink will likely splash water more if it has a diameter of below 16 inches.
On the other hand, a shallow sink combined will likely make the water splash on your counter, forming a pool. This is because the water will hit the basin’s bottom at a higher speed due to the shorter distance between the sink’s bottom and the spout.
High Water Pressure
If your faucet is pouring water at higher pressure, you will likely end up with water pooling on your counter. It will make the water hit the sink’s basin at a higher speed, increasing the chances of bouncing back, especially if the sink is shallow.
Besides causing splashing, high water pressure wastes energy and water. However, this doesn’t mean using low pressure is any better because it will impair your faucet’s functioning.
Therefore, aim to find that sweet spot between low and high, where water flows just perfectly.
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Ways to Stop Water Pooling On Your Bathroom Counter
So, now you know why there is water pooling on your bathroom counter. What follows is fixing the problem and having your sink running smoothly again.
Fit Your Bathroom Sink With A Bathroom Faucet
You need to check that your bathroom sink has a faucet explicitly designed for bathroom sinks because a generic one will cause problems. Bathroom sink faucets have lower flow rates compared to kitchen and bathtub faucets.
If you fix a kitchen or bathtub faucet on a bathroom sink, more water will splash on the counter. Therefore, to keep your bathroom area dry, install a bathroom-rated faucet with a 1.5 GPM flow rate.
Read also Can you put faucet on side of sink
Install A Faucet Aerator
An aerator is a little fitting placed at the tap’s end that lets air and water mix, lowering the flow of water from the faucet. It slows down the water flow and minimizes the likelihood of water splashing, creating a pool on the counter.
Tap aerators shorten the water travel distance from the faucet to the sink’s basin by forming smaller streams. It also softens the water stream, ensuring it doesn’t hit the sink hard, thus preventing water from splashing and pooling on the bathroom counter.
An aerator distributes the water concentration into multiple droplets, which then fall into various points on the sink.
Adjust The Water Pressure
If you fit your bathroom sink with the right faucet but the water pressure remains high, you will need to lower the pressure. You can install a pressure-lowering valve to your home’s water meter to regulate the entire house’s water pressure.
Alternatively, you can open the faucet ½ or ¾ to minimize the flow rate. Another solution is to maintain the shutoff valve quarter or halfway closed to reduce the water going to the sink.
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Install A Deeper Sink
A shallow, uniquely shaped sink will undoubtedly look fabulous in your bathroom, but how practical is it. Such a sink may function properly without causing water pooling on your bathroom counter if you have a shorter faucet.
However, a taller, high-arch faucet is better paired with a deeper bathroom sink. Ensure the sink you pick has a depth and width of more than 4 inches and 16 inches, respectively.
Install Splash Guards
You can prevent water pools on your bathroom counter by fitting shims on the sink edges to keep water in the sink. While this is a cost-effective solution, use it only if aesthetics aren’t a big deal to you.
See also how to prevent water behind sink
Caulking
This solution doesn’t necessarily prevent water pooling on the bathroom counter, but it prevents water from seeping between the countertop and sink. Caulking seals the space between a bathroom counter and the sink.
You can caulk your bathroom sink with different materials, but the commonly used are latex and silicone. Additionally, the commonly used color is white.
No More Water Pooling on Bathroom Counter
Nobody wants to use a bathroom sink that leaves a water pool on the counter. This issue will likely occur if you have small kids still learning to do things independently, but more than not, it’s a sink issue.
Nonetheless, we hope the solutions help you solve this problem effectively.