I have never heard of this in my life I have 2 sinks back to back in my island all one level never had a smell coming from either one of them I like a sink in the island much better than the stove . Not sure about your style but lose those spindles by the step down .

Something smells fishy... ;) Sounds odd, did he give you any sort of proof or reasoning for this theory? There are tons of people with single level islands and a sink! Just look at them on houzz. I doubt they would be doing it if this were the case. Maybe get a second opinion from a different contractor?

smells happen when a trap can't work. does it smell now?

I just looked it up as I was curious. A p-trap is the u-shaped portion of piping found under most sinks. It creates a barrier of water that prevents sewer gases from entering the room. But if you don't have one now, it would already be smelling I would think. If one has to be installed, perhaps there is no room and island has to be raised...strange.

We love our island sink. Considering I spend so much time there, it's great to be able to look out the window or talk to my kids in the eat in kitchen. If it's all done right and no one leaves stuff in the garbage disposal it should be fine. The only thing you need to think about is being on top of dishes/pots pans that you have washed. I put them away quickly.

Hmmm, do you know if the vent stack is missing? That could cause some odours when the kitchen is in use later as the drainage will be slow. Alternately, if it's a question of a ptrap they can easily be added.

He did say that the vent stack has to be higher than the faucet. I have heard that you can use a special island vent (called a loop vent I think) to do this. I just wasn't sure if that was true - and am concerned that the contractor had not heard of this.

Oh..and yes...the spindles are DEFINITELY going! :-)

Thanks for the help from everyone!

you absolutely need a vent stack, without one you will have slow running drains and odor, it can even be dangerous to get those sewage fumes in your home. It is call an AAV (air admittance valve) or a cheater vent, it is cheaper than doing a proper stack. However AAVs are not always allowed by code, and you will need a plumber because they have to be installed properly. The vent needs to come up above the height of the fixture, and they must be accessible. You must not/cannot drywall over them. If it was my place, I'd always vent to the outside and would use a cheater only as a last resort like having a sink in a kitchen island (that would be you), because you can't vent it any other way.

HI -- Did you happen to ask him-how so ? If the plumbing is done properly then there should not be a problem. I had to pay extra to have the plumbing done a special way for the sink in the island . I have never had smells . If this plumber is telling you this then he doesn't know what he is doing . Find another plumber ... a real one !

second opinion time.. if he is saying this about the sink, what else might he be adding........just saying. or he is completely right....... either way for jobs like this i would get a second estimate. paying for that now may save you 1000 in the future. or some do free estimates........

your contractor is correct, but getting a second opinion from a plumber would be in order, you should always be sure to get quality work for a fair price, on this and any issue

The AAV is a questionable method in most jurisdictions.


This method is generally accepted everywhere;

http://www.pendoreilleco.org/documents/Planning/Building/2011_Handouts/Kitchen%20Island%20Sink.pdf

Thanks Fred S, great link!