Will the sink withstand winter in a cold garage or allotment shed?

Yes, the Pi-Pi plastic sink does not crack in frost down to −40°C, so an unheated garage or garden cottage is not a problem for it. The main thing is not to leave standing water in the bowl, outlet, hose, and containers: it’s the water that freezes, not the plastic.

Preparing for winter

1. Pour out the water from the container you use to supply water and from the collection container.
2. Drain the remnants from the bowl, outlet, and hose and let them dry.
3. Ensure the hose is laid without sags where water can collect.
4. Wipe the bowl and the soap shelf.

The sink can remain on the wall: there is no need to remove it for the winter.

If you use the sink in winter

You can use the sink in cold weather as long as the water in your container hasn’t frozen. After use, try not to leave water in the bowl and hose: this way, there won’t be ice in them the next day. If the water has frozen, wait for it to thaw before using the sink. It’s more convenient to choose a water source that can be quickly emptied, such as a canister from which you manually pour water.

Bucket, canister, and hose in frost

The main risk in winter is not the sink, but what you have connected to it. Water in the bucket, canister, and hose freezes for the same reasons any water freezes outdoors. Therefore, it’s better to empty the containers after use and keep the hose without sags. You choose the water source, hose, and container yourself, so their winter mode depends on your choice. This simplifies life for the Pi-Pi sink: it doesn’t have a built-in tank and pump that would need to be drained separately.

Outdoors and under snow

The material is designed for a range from −40 to +60°C, so the sink withstands both winter cold and summer heat. If you install it outdoors, choose a place where snow won’t accumulate in the bowl. More about temperatures can be found in the question what temperature range does the Pi-Pi urinal withstand.

In spring

Before the season starts, inspect the bowl, outlet, and hose, rinse them, and ensure the hose leads to the container without sags. Then fill the container with water and use it as usual. Where the used water drains is described in the question where does the water from the sink without plumbing go.

You can choose a sink for a garage, workshop, or garden cottage on the Pi-Pi plastic sinks page; for tight spaces, the Outdoor Corner Sink is suitable.