How To Install a Utility Sink in a Barn | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House master plumber Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink in Mark McCullough’s chicken barn.
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Richard Tretheway installs a utility sink with cold water that drains outside. After locating the water supply coming from the house, Richard explains that burying a dry well behind the shed is the best option. With Mark digging out the hole for the dry well’s catch basin, Richard ties into the house’s water supply and runs polyethylene pipe fitted with a vacuum breaker to the chicken barn.
With the plumbing in place, Richard assembles a utility sink kit. He also explains how to pipe a faucet when only running cold water. Then he and Mark work together to tie the sink into the dry well before testing out their work.
Skill: ⅖
Cost: Around $300
Time: 4 hours
Shopping list:
Dry well catch basin [thd.co/3cnI6mz]
Crushed stone [thd.co/3nuV1cC]
Polyethylene pipe [amzn.to/3DA64qz]
Various fittings, including elbows and tees [amzn.to/3coyMP5]
Utility sink kit [thd.co/3kNSmJq]
Concrete anchors [thd.co/3nonErN]
Drain kit [amzn.to/3ctpIZv]
Various PVC pipes and fittings [amzn.to/3CvK5jp]
PVC Cement [amzn.to/3nslw2f]
Tools:
Hole saw [amzn.to/3npLT97]
Shovel [amzn.to/3nuWq2S]
Tubing cutter [amzn.to/3HAcfgz]
Power drill [amzn.to/3FwLo3t]
Masonry bits [amzn.to/3npHhQl]
Tongue and groove pliers [amzn.to/3oDvg9y]
Where to find it?
Richard installed a Utilatub Combo 20x24” Thermoplastic Floor Mount Laundry Tub [thd.co/3kNSmJq]. 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 [mustee.com/].
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 12x12” Drainage Catch Basin [thd.co/3cnI6mz] manufactured by NDS [www.ndspro.com/]. Below and around the hole, Mark filled in with crushed stone found at home centers and landscape supply stores.
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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How To Install a Utility Sink in a Barn | Ask This Old House
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[@getyourpaper6sdown37]

"This is the gasket you dont want to lose." **Loses Gasket**

[@fadetounforgiven]

Richard: "This is called the top gasket, this is the one you don't wanna lose." Also Richard 10 seconds later: throws top gasket off table.

[@maxair420]

🤣 saw that too

[@ShawnD1027]

Gimme a break, big difference between a part falling off a table and losing it.

[@fadetounforgiven]

@@ShawnD1027 one first good step to lose something is throwing it off the table you've left it on.

[@universalask]

I also caught that detail

[@Andrico77]

Funny.

[@robertpiper6860]

I love how the dog follows them around like he is helping out. Lol

[@jkadoodle]

He IS helping

[@ericwotton2046]

It's what dogs do best.

[@grillo7196]

I was thinking the same. Cute actually.

[@thewisceeeggg1624]

...and watching the speaker...

[@mortensonaaron]

Moral support

[@pirana6]

I don't know why, but I really like the crew building something for one of their own.

[@rsprockets7846]

FEWYRS BACK TOMMY BROS HOUSE BURNT TO GROUND AND THE WHOLE GANG HELPED OUT

[@richardkoon5544]

@@rsprockets7846 Now that was a good show. This Old House vs Ask This Old House.

[@euphoria2339]

@@richardkoon5544 what season?

[@maxair420]

Love how the brand new "cheap" faucet was leaking at the spout 🤣🤣

[@Subangelis]

needed tightening

[@fiddley8894]

har har!

[@ja8898]

I'd like to see more unpermitted work on TOS. :)

[@ackack612]

.....so silly it's funny!

[@Mike__B]

Yeah but this is unpermitted because it doesn't need a permit. Like that S-trap instead of a P-trap with a vent is allowed because it's not going to the sewage lines so if a siphon in some way pulls water out of the trap it's no big deal it's simply outside air under the gravel that is going to come in.

[@kentdavies1988]

This will be a really helpful video for when i never build my barn

[@bradpaulp]

Omg 😂 dead. 3:55 “this is the one you don’t wanna lose” 4:05 **that one falls to the floor**

[@elcompanimo9434]

Lol at the beginning of the video he called Gordon (the dog) "Gordo" then at the end he called him "Gordy" 🤦😂😂

[@joshcowart2446]

I always called the washer that goes on the basket a flat or flange washer. I don’t use them on plastic though, only on cp. I generally rely on pipe dope. With plastic I put a little on the flange and with cp I put some on the flange and some on the top of the washer If you’re going to omit the vent why not omit the trap as well then it will self vent. It’s going to a dry well so sewer gas isn’t an issue. The only time I put a trap on a gray water line is when it goes outside and that’s to keep bugs out. This is going into a dry well so I don’t think you need it. It’s also one less thing you have to worry about freezing

[@InspiredJJ]

I love this series.

[@cmeller55]

Best part of this is his hands are dirty when he is explaining the drain assembly. On hgtv there would be no way he would have actually been working in the ditch for more than a few seconds to record some video

[@johnroberts9560]

HI TOH , that's a handy little utility sink , nice installation job Rich ! 👍😃

[@larry78cj7]

Richard is the best!

[@AStanton1966]

A plumber is about the only person who could afford that $5,000 French bulldog.

[@johnschiltz6440]

It's true sometimes dogs look like their owner. Gordon is a cool pup.

[@nav5897]

Thanks for sharing

[@garyreardon11]

Such a cool shed

[@ackack612]

Who hasn't wished for a sink and water in the garage or that prefab shed out back at one time or another? Great topic.

[@Mihogan]

Jewel weed galore back there! Mark youve got a gold mine!

[@robertf6344]

I have a air quick disconnect and compressor that connects to the outside water feed inside the house that blows out all the outside plumbing for winter.

[@evansamson2703]

It’s crazy how long you guys have been making videos

[@AlvisWuNYC]

I call that a team work :)

[@bmanwpg]

Is the p-trap really required?

[@c0mputer]

Not to prevent sewer gas but I guess in case you drop something like a ring. Don’t want to have to go fishing for it in the dry well outside.

[@rupe53]

@@c0mputer .. if he flipped drain box over and drilled a few holes in the bottom it would be serviceable without digging up anything. Could also use a slip sleeve for frost so a heave by the box doesn't break the pipe.

[@ncooty]

Gordie does only stain-grade finished cabinetry, so we rarely get to see his skills.

[@mikec7373]

Wonder if the trap is necessary ?

[@nusermane1076]

How is the bird called that chirps around 00:30 ?

[@andyneipert2527]

Show more videos of this

[@danmar007]

Based on the series of how-tos lately, I'm wondering if the in-laws are coming!!

[@johnnywadd7960]

House them in the shed... bwahaahaa

[@cardo1111]

😎

[@barbieskates540]

@@johnnywadd7960 yes and a shower with HOT WATER Then they only have to come to the house when they need the toilet

[@iggysixx]

"Gordon, the One and Only" :) Richard... If that is his full name... I'll need to send you a high five in the post :')

[@ALAN-gn4ud]

That connection to the sprinkler system should at minimum been a double check valve Backflow, vacuum breaker shouldn’t be below grade.

[@libertarian1637]

I agree with the vacuum break not being below grade or in the drain box where it can be covered by water as vacuum breaks need air to work. Also agree with the check valve though I would hope there is one back at the house as, at least where I am, you need a double check valve with vacuum break in the middle between a potable system and an agricultural cultural system. A below frost shutoff would have been nice to see as would a trap-less install as it would actually have been usable in the winter or at least more usable down the road. Ran a similar setup to the garage and actually added an electric tankless water heater for hot, nothing too big but enough for the 2 odd gal/min at maybe a 60 degree rise. Actually uses an electric shutoff/dump valve 48-52” down to ensure the system was dry when the water was off, as I only heat the garage when I’m using it. I’m surprised as much as this show can over build that they did what they did hear.

[@Doomzdayxx]

I wanna see another "how to solder copper pipe" video where Richard uses like a tablespoon of flux on one single fitting

[@GrahamDIY]

Agreed. I think he must own shares in all the flux companies!! You only need a small amount. As you clearly know.

[@Its_crazyadamla]

Gotta love free labor

[@dankerr6914]

Why bother with the p trap if the pipe was run directly outside? It seems unnecessary and adds work in the winter to drain the trap so it doesn’t freeze.

[@rupe53]

have you ever tried to find the pieces you'd need without buying a P-trap? (especially now)

[@woohunter1]

@@rupe53 plumber here, it would be very easy to plump that without a p trap. Plus, you don’t have to winterize it.

[@rupe53]

@@woohunter1 ... I would agree that it doesn't need a trap but the average guy at the hardware store will have trouble buying something adjustable without purchasing a standard trap kit. Besides, if the water is off for the cold season they can just remove the trap and hang in on the wall. No big deal.

[@linnsoltwedel]

The one you dont want to loose, and then scuffs it away :P

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

Watching to see how difficult it is to REMOVE a utility sink. I have one in my garage laundry room. It takes up valuable space and attracts dirt and lint from the washer outflow. Yuck.

[@tylergettings]

Lol , Hey mark

[@jeffreybell436]

I thought vacuum breaks had to be above grade.

[@XzTS-Roostro]

I must pet the good boy

[@richardcummings1215]

Attach sink to wall and keep drainage away from foundation.

[@refink33]

why didn't TOS show everything hooked up?

[@dalesworld1308]

So who's carrying buckets of water from the house to the chickens come November?

[@Wild_Bill57]

Had horses as a kid, same problem with the water. My brother and I took turns carrying buckets of slightly warm water out the them at 6am and after school. Then lastly before bedtime at night.

[@user-bw5xf3yr3m]

Wow that’s some dark soil, where is this place

[@DIYManiacJohnP]

Tighten that aerator

[@bettymaverick1098]

Polyethene hose is not always a good idea. The Chipmunks, mice and rats eat through it to get a drink. I have had bad experience with it when even a small amount was exposed.

[@purplekillerpenguin]

TOS should have a mascot dog

[@Techmatt167Official]

He really didn’t need the trap. But I’m guessing they did it because it’s an educational video

[@ALAN-gn4ud]

Well it does help keep any kind of bugs from coming up thru the drain

[@MrEazyE357]

Wait, didn't he put in that catch basin upside down?

[@oambrosia]

No because the idea is for the water to drain out of it. Basically using it for the opposite purpose.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

if it was face up the water would pool and stagnate, being a mosquito and stench trap.

[@wilbur9416]

That is a big chicken house

[@poptya]

What's the point of a P-Trap in a barn not hooked up to sewer lol

[@jeffwilson1399]

Judge Smails was right on. The world needs ditch diggers too.

[@justarandum7959]

Gordon the Gaffer

[@JJ-gk9ri]

Is it just me, or is Richard a really attractive older gentleman?

[@Mr.Poopypants]

It's the eyes.

[@iceman846]

This is not to Mass plumbing code

[@ericwotton2046]

This is an expensive kitchen coop

[@thewisceeeggg1624]

*chicken

[@MrTooTechnical]

Nice. Still using channel lock. Omg. Get knipex baby. Woohoo

[@Pyth110]

No reason to buy new tools if the ones you have still work fine

[@MrTooTechnical]

Umm no. Knipex

[@YourMom777-x3x]

BOYCOTT FACEBOOK NOW AND SHUT IT DOWN!

[@rheticus6673]

I hate to be that guy but that is definitely not an appropriate backflow preventer for irrigation an avb on a hosebib isn't back pressure or back siphon rate

[@chevrelait]

this ‘coop’ was ridiculously overbuilt… embarrassing

[@user-hv8bu8jx5k]

And voila! $2,300 later and you can wash your hands with ice-cold water in a shed!

[@Littleredrumcooler]

So…where is the part where they bring the line into the shed? Useless video.

[@jamesedwards1528]

Diy for when you know your government is out of control

[@jdorffer]

Always use vent, this is a scab job plumbing code protect the health of the nation

[@richardkoon5544]

Not liking Mark McCullough. He's taken away the show from ordinary people asking for help. Definately thumbs down.

[@dalesworld1308]

I don't think he decides the projects.

[@richardkoon5544]

@@dalesworld1308 Well, I agree. Hopefully the show doesn't get away with helping their audiance.

[@dalesworld1308]

​ @Richard Koon I'm sure a lot of what you see is because of Covid, the production team not wanting to go out into the world like they used to.

[@chrisburns5691]

is he not allowed to have a chicken coop?

[@richardkoon5544]

@@dalesworld1308 Well, that is a good point.