How do I keep my copper bathroom sink clean?

Mild soap & water are all that is needed to keep your copper bath sinks looking great.  Changes in patina in your copper bath sink are not going to happen as easily or as frequently as the do in a copper kitchen sink.  Copper bathroom sinks are great for powder bath, half bath, kiddos bathrooms and of course the master bath.

See our complete line of copper bath sinks here.

Question from Micheline

Question: I wanted to make sure that the copper sinks have a life time finish on them. Are they going to turn green in color over time?

Answer: Our sinks have a “Living finish”. This means that our copper is not treated, laqured or sealed in any way. Copper Sinks Direct hand fires the copper to it’s rich dark patina (color). This is known as pre-aging the copper. Over time, copper naturally darkens via oxidation, the use of water and then the air drying of the sink.

Acidic foods like tomato products and lemons and other citrus can cause the patina to lighten. Not to worry, the sink will darken back down with use.

To lessen the effects of changing patina, use CopperSinkCare products as they are natural, products that are safe for food use.

Check back for more questions and answers for Copper Sinks Direct.

Copper use in public places can help combat flu

hammered copper vessel sink bowl

A study conducted by professor Mr Bill Keevil from the University of Southhampton presented at the BIT Life Sciences’ 2nd Annual World Summit of anti virals in Beijing said that extensive use of copper in public places can help combat spread of the recently erupted pandemic influenza or popularly known as swine flue due to the red metal’s anti bacterial property.

The study further found that copper touch surfaces can significantly reduce the concentration of influenza a virus on them, raising hopes that it may also be effective against other strains of the virus. About 75% of influenza is knocked out in 1 hour on a copper surface and almost completely in 6 hours. The findings are timely given the current influenza H1N1 pandemic currently sweeping the world. But even more common forms of flu are a major global health issue.

The recent threat of swine flu has emerged as the most important health concern in India and has triggered the need to use the most protective and efficient measures to reduce its spread in public places. While people have been advised to be alert, wash hands regularly, avoid crowded places like cinema halls, shopping complexes, malls etc, International Copper Promotion Council finds an opportunity for more copper uses in public places as the metal has the capability to combat the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Mr Keevil said that “There is no single answer to controlling the spread of pathogenic microorganisms but copper surfaces may contribute to the number of control barriers able to reduce transmission of the virus.”

H1N1 virus appears to be transmitted the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys with public health claims acknowledging that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper and copper alloy surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours and continue to kill more than 99% of bacteria even after repeated contamination. Therefore, it has been recognized that the use of copper touch surfaces in hospitals, educational institutions, public buildings, public transport and food preparation areas can reduce the spread of harmful infections.

Copper and its alloys are available in a variety of forms like door handles, grab rails and bathroom fixtures etc. which are regular touch surfaces and can work to demonstrate reduced build up and transfer of infectious pathogens.

Mr Ajit Advani deputy regional director Asia, International Copper Association Limited and CEO of ICPCI said that “In India, we have known about the protective properties of copper since the vedic ages. This has now been corroborated by modern science. Use of this wonder metal in public touch surfaces can go a long way in reducing the spread of infections such as influenza.”

Source: http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/08/22/MTA4MTYy/Copper_use_in_public_places_can_help_combat_flu.html

Copper Doorhandles & Fittings Might Keep You Healthy

Infectious diseases are an increasing problem in big cities with high population densities. Indeed, fears of a swine flu (H1N1) pandemic have dominated media headlines this year. Diseases are frequently spread when people with dirty hands touch shared surfaces. For example, if a sick person covers their mouch when coughing, and then uses that same hand to open a door, the door handle may harbour their germs. Other people who touch that door handle may be infected.

Copper doorhandles may help prevent the spread of germs. The antimicrobial effects of copper have been known for thousands of years, but recent studies have shown that the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA (Golden Staph) that is commonly found in hospitals, cannot survive on copper surfaces for more than 90 minutes

In contrast, the more common stainless steel surfaces allow germs to survive for days, and can only be effectively cleaned using antiseptics, which need to be frequently reapplied and can cause allergic reactions in some people.

This means that reducing the spread of germs around our homes and offices may be as simple as installing copper doorhandles, and copper versions of other fittings with frequent human contact like taps, faucets, push plates and elevator buttons. The copper-containing alloys brass and bronze are also effective, but take longer to kill germs.

Source: http://herestrouble.com/archive/copper-doorhandles-fittings-might-keep-you-healthy/

Purity of Copper…how pure is it?

There is no such thing as a 99.99% pure copper sink, The only Copper Alloy that is that pure is considered “Commercially Pure” C12200, and that is 99.92 – 99.97 pure copper. The problem is that copper that is solid copper or that pure, causes problems in TIG welding and the metal spinning process which is a step in the process of manufacturing copper sinks.

Our copper sinks are comprised of approx. 97% pure copper with the trace addition of Zinc and Phosphorus. The two additional elements are beneficial in the durability of a copper sinks, and it helps in the manufacturing process of the sinks. In the smelting process, the laminadora specifically adds Zinc to the batch. The Phosphorus is typically already included in the copper, due to the fact the copper scrap, plumbing pipes, wire, ect, all are made with an Alloy of copper that contains Phosphorus for additional durability.

Our products are much different then others been sold in the US. We have had our shop IAPMO certified, and we also only use certified SEMARNAT materials. SEMARNAT, is the environmental agency that inspects and certifies smelters or what are called “Laminadoras” in Mexico. Laminadora Patzcuaro, where all of our raw materials are produced, is the only smelter that is certified and is annually inspected by the Mexican version of the EPA to ensure low emissions, and to ensure they are environmentally friendly.

Their Certification is posted here:

http://app1.semarnat.gob.mx/retc/establecimiento/resestabsustres.php?nra=LPAEA1607911&ano=2004

 

Copperhead Sinks Kitchen Sink Craze

Is it the copper kitchen sink revolution? With increasing demand for the copper kitchen sinks as well as the copper kitchen farmhouse sinks, Copperhead Sinks has stepped up production in their kitchen sinks division.

Copper Sinks Direct is now receiving new shipments daily to keep up with demand. Should it be a rush, our sinks can be shipped direct to the customer from our Mexico Distribution Center.

Custom orders are shipped direct from Mexico in less than 2 weeks time door to door.

If you are looking for a copper sink, look no further, Copper Sinks Direct has the most extensive collection of copper sinks on the market.

Custom orders welcomed.

Copper Sinks in Custom Satin Nickel Finish

Now available at Copper Sinks Direct; Custom Satin Nickel Finishes on most of our sink styles. Up-charges start at $150.00 and vary depending on the size and type of copper sink that you would like to have nickel plated. Call us at 866-789-7465 and let us know what copper sink you would like to have nickel plated and we can get you a quote and lead time. Estimated lead times on most sinks are currently 3 to 4 weeks, however with demand, that time-frame will shrink.

Copperhead Sinks are nickel plated in the United States by one of the most predominate platers in the industry. Their quality of plating is #1.

Like the hammered look in copper sinks, like the styles offered by Copper Sinks Direct, but want the classic coloring on the satin nickel finish, not a problem, Copper Sinks Direct can get you the look you are trying to achieve. Call us at 866-789-7465 or send us your questions or comments to sales@coppersinksdirect.com.

Want a plated finish, but not Satin Nickel, let us know what you are interested in and we can get you a quote on that too.

Have a great everyday,

Jill

Buyer Beware not all Copper Sinks are created equally as good!!!

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Tonight I answered the live chat to speak with Ron. He had a dilemma; His drain didn’t fit his copper oval lavatory sink and he couldn’t figure out why. After hearing his problem, he sent me some photos and much to his dismay the drain opening in his lavatory sink was the 2″ size for a bar drain. Well, having installed that copper sink and its mate under granite and after having the plumber out to install the sink, he was told that the drain that came with his faucet was too small. He chose to contact Copper Sinks Direct to find a solution.

Unfortunately, Ron did NOT buy his sink from Copper Sinks Direct. It was not a genuine Copperhead Sink; it had no IAPMO approval or UPC code. He paid nearly what he would have paid to buy it from us, but he went local and got it from his granite supplier. He did not purchase a top quality copper sink, he got something lower than second grade and he got what we would have scrapped.

I tell all that read this blog Ron’s story, because even if you are an informed consumer, something that one would never consider would be the size of a drain in a bathroom sink. Well, the American standard drain opening size for a lavatory sink is 1 1/2″. The standard for a bar is 2″ and the standard for a prep or kitchen sink is 3 1/2″. This is an industry standard, not a standard just for copper sinks.Another thing to consider when buying a copper sink; the drain that you use for a lavatory sink cannot have an overflow. Drains that come with your faucets, will not work unless your plumber is creative in sealing off that overflow hole. This was another issue Ron would have had as he was trying to use the drains that came with his faucets. Now Ron did not buy his sinks from Copper Sinks Direct, but I will do what I can to help him get the situation resolved. Ron has already had the granite cut and the sinks installed. He will not be able to get another piece of granite fabricated, so he will have to resort to settling with what he ended up with and installing a bar drain to accommodate the oversized drain opening, or we will work together to find him a pair of sinks to fit his existing openings. Copper Sinks Direct provides only top quality copper sinks. We are involved in every step of the copper sink making process and approve all sinks before they cross the border. Should a customer have an issue, we will do everything we can to remedy that issue until we have a satisfied customer. Our copper sinks will last a lifetime and beyond. We want you to own them, use them and be proud of them for all of your lifetime.

Ron, we are here for you if we can help. Granite fabricator, shame on you! Consumers beware…not all copper sinks were created equal, not all copper sink manufacturers are alike!

Need a custom copper sink, we can help!

Copper Sinks Direct is now shipping custom made sinks out of Mexico within a week, in most cases. No more waiting for 6 to 8 weeks for the sink of your dreams. Authentic Copperhead Sinks, custom made to your specifications. New express shipping times from Mexico direct allow us to take your ideas, drawings, photos etc and create the sink, range hood, table or anything copper that you can visualize.

So Dark is Dark, what is Medium?

The copper sinks offered by Copper Sinks Direct only come in 2 specific colors. Dark or Medium patina are our only real recommended choices. Can our factory make the other colors see offered on other sites, sure we can. But no one, including our Copperhead factory can guarntee the color of any other finishes.

Dark is what it is, the natural fire process to achieve an oxidation of the copper. Medium is the dark that has been burnished back to allow for the natural shiny copper undertone to show thru.

Will Medium oxidize to turn dark? “You bet it will.”

Can you turn it back to medium, “yes you can.”

You can burnish it back to it’s original brillance with a fine steel wool.

All you are doing is brushing away the oxidation in the high spots in the hammering to show the shiny copper underneath. The best of both worlds, you can let it darken for a change of pace, or lighten it even more should it begin to look too dark for your liking.

Will it darken immediatley? No. it will take time and would not be noticable unless there was a light spot that as made by harsh cleaners, or acidic foods. The shiny spots will darken down with in a few weeks. Otherwise, in the medium sink, you could notice the change more in the shiny areas of the sink, however, this is fixable with the brushing of the steel wool.

So Dark and Medium are the self correcting color choice that we recommend to all of our customer. Can and will we make a custom color? Sure we can, but remember, it will darken.

The dark patina can be incorporated into the rustic as well as the contemporary stlyes.

Have a question? Let me help you find your answer.

More blogs to come…lots to say, not enough time in the day.

Thanks for reading,

Jill