My wife and I are working on designing our outdoor kitchen and are going back and forth on whether to include a sink. Those of you that have outdoor spaces, do you have a sink? If so, do you use it? If not, do you wish you had one?

Also, does anybody know what the code states as far as how to drain the sink? Would we have to tie the drain back into the main sewage line or can we run it to a dry well or french drain? We're in Sugar Land if that matters.

I don't have an outdoor sink currently but talked with a couple of guys about enlarging the patio and adding a sink, kitchen, etc. They both mentioned tying back into the sewage line. Located in the Land of Sugar as well so let me know if you want the names of the people / companies I used for bids.

[This message has been edited by Gus (edited 7/23/2012 11:10a).]

putting in a sink means you have to find a way to tie it into your sewer. If your main clean out is out back or on the side, probably not a big deal. If it's near the front of the house, might add up a lot.

How much real food prep are you going to do outside? I cook outside all the time, but I've yet to find a real NEED for a sink where I have to wash something. My kitchen sink is < 15ft away and I don't do food prep outside. It's too damned hot most of the year anyway.

[This message has been edited by agracer (edited 7/23/2012 12:27p).]

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How much real food prep are you going to do outside?

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This is my stance also, but my wife likes the idea/convenience of having a sink outside both for some food prep and for clean-up.

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I would add the sink yourself and just have it drain into a flowerbed.

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The plan at this point is to do everything except the concrete slab ourselves. Ideally we'd just run the drain to the yard/plants but I couldn't figure out if that was against code. My ability to comprehend legalese is not good.

I'm in Sugar Land (Greatwiod) too. I did not opt for a sink. Don't miss it either. I would rather my wife was dishes inside, while I sit out at the bar, man the grill, and watch tv.

I lovvvvve mine.

Call me a redneck but couldn't you just run a water hose to your sink and like was mentioned before run the drain into the yard?

Did not include one in mine....seemed like the cost did not justify the use I would get out of it.

Assuming it's legal to drain the sink into the yard, the cost should be pretty minimal compared to the rest of the set up.

I have one and love it. Depend on which City you live in, will depend on how you have to drain it. I tied into drain line for pool pump.

Make sure you get a valve to prevent the water from backing up into the sink. I'm not sure the name of the valve. I was required by the City to have one installed.

check valve.

reverse flow check valve??

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I would add the sink yourself and just have it drain into a flowerbed.

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This. My parents have a sink in theirs that just drains into the yard. The sink rarely gets used, but is nice to have when you do need it.

[This message has been edited by boy09 (edited 7/25/2012 2:48p).]

Hi, I want to add an outdoor sink just for rinsing/washing drink making stuff, not pots and such, but will soapy water harm the plants/flowers in the garden if I drain the sink into it?

Do you have a French drain system already that drains to the street from your back yard? Just tie into that if so.

Or dig about a 3 foot hole and fill with pea gravel and drain to that if worried about flower beds

One thing to keep in mind with sink in backyard if shut water off or wrap during those seasonal freezes