Good Questions: Dealing with Farmhouse Sink Overspray?

Marcus sent us a good question: Hi. We have farmhouse sink similar to this. We get tons of utility from it and enjoy the size, etc. One issue that we've come across is the edge. When washing large dishes or cookware, the splatter from the faucet sprays over to the lip of the sink and eventually finds its way down the apron to the top of the cabinet doors...

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Sitting water on top of any wood isn't a good thing over time and we do our best to remember to wipe it down. Has anyone had similar experiences and can recommend anything to help?

Please add your solutions and suggestions for Marcus to the comment thread...thanks!

Comments (11)

The problem is not the sink, its your water pressure. reduce it and you won't have this problem.

posted by jpriley75 on March 12th 2009 at 12:47pm
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I don't have a farmhouse sink and still have that problem, but as jpriley75 stated its you not the sink. Once I slowed down and use less pressure it doesnt happen anymore.

posted by Joan52 on March 12th 2009 at 12:59pm
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Like the others said - Either turn down the water pressure beneath the sink or refrain from turning the taps all the way on when you're working at the sink.

posted by bepsf on March 12th 2009 at 1:05pm
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good to know...we've been thinking about getting a farmhouse sink. i haven't heard of that problem before.

posted by Dayjay on March 12th 2009 at 1:07pm
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Yeah, I don't have a farmhouse sink and have had this problem occasionally. I just learned to be aware and more careful not to turn the tap all the way up.

posted by Enamorada on March 12th 2009 at 1:12pm
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Yea, I don't think there is a sink out there where this does not happen. Just chill with your dish washing ! :>

posted by labchick on March 12th 2009 at 1:17pm
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I have a regular old stainless steel sink and I have the same problem. I fold a day-old dish towel and lay it across the edge of the sink to catch the drips, then throw it in the laundry when I'm finished. It works for me!

posted by ShopgirlCA on March 12th 2009 at 2:55pm
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I think another factor in this phenomenon is we have our faucets higher above counter height than they used to be. When they were almost as low as the top of the sink, it was a lot harder to splash beyond the sink even at full water pressure.

posted by sheltered island on March 12th 2009 at 3:17pm
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If the bottom of your sink protrudes beyond the front face of the cabinet doors as it appears in the picture, you could try running a small bead of caulk across the bottom of the sink. The line of caulk will act as a dam preventing water from running back under the sink and into the cabinets or onto the cabinet doors. However, although this will help prevent wood damage, but it could make your floor slippery or damage the floor if it too is wood.

posted by John H on March 12th 2009 at 3:37pm
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I've had this problem too. The cause was too much water pressure. I replaced the small aerator at the end of the spout with a swivelling one puchased at the hardware store and the problem was solved. It cut down the water pressure enough that the spray bouncing off the bottom of the sink (or whatever was sitting in it) never reached the rim. The cost was about $10.

posted by judy in TO on March 12th 2009 at 5:49pm
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Hang a dish towel over the cabinet doors when you do the dishes.

posted by RichardinLA on March 13th 2009 at 7:02pm
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