Last post, we wrote to you about the scandal of free sinks. Many counter top fabricators offer free sinks as promotions. In many cases, however, the sinks are cheap, and there not certified. Certification is expensive. Not only does the product have to be tested, but the accredited agency must visit the factory every six months to verify that all the processes that are part of the standards are still being followed.
Is your stainless sink certified?
So how do you know if a sink is certified? That is a difficult question to answer. One of the requirements of the codes is that the sink be marked in a place accessible in the final installation with the manufacturer’s name and model number so the sink can be researched. Most accredited agencies also require that the product be marked with the agencies certification stamp. If the sink is not marked it does not comply with the code. Marking alone does not mean certification. At least one major supplier to the fabrication industry listed for several years that they were certified when they were not. The best way to find out if you sink is certified is look for the mark and visit the accredited agencies web page and not the sink company’s website to find out if the manufacturer is listed. You can also ask for copies of the certification from the accredited agency, and not just a statement from the sink company.
Ultimately, why do you care if your sink is not certified? It means the sink has not been tested to meet the standards. It may have impurities that will shorten the life of the sink or even make it unhealthy to use. If may be made of softer steel. It may not have the ingredients that give stainless steel sink the lustrous finish that is the signature of a high quality stainless steel sink. Or it may not have the ingredients that harden the finish that make the sink last a life time. If it is not tested and certified who knows what is in your stainless steel sink.
Follow Eclipse Stainless on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more daily tips on everything sink and faucet related.