# Does a bathtub require an overflow drain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Plumbing Inspections\ **Created:** [March 28, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226 "2015-03-28T23:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gromicko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gromicko/32/58172_2.png) [@gromicko](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gromicko)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/1 "2015-03-28T23:23:50Z")
Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/2 "2015-03-28T23:29:40Z")
Hope this helps… The ICC (International Code Council) has recently issued a ruling that they do require bathtub overflows in the IRC (International Residential Code) and the IPC (International Plumbing Code). The Uniform Plumbing Code published by IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) does not require bathtub overflows. IAPMO recognizes that real bathtub overflows do not exist and therefore it would be pointless to require them. Home buyers and new homeowners believe that bathtub overflows will prevent their bathtubs from overflowing due to an unattended filling operation. This belief is also held by many building inspectors and building code officials. This belief is a myth. Taken from here… [http://www.answers.com/Q/Are\_bathtub\_overflow\_drains\_required](http://www.answers.com/Q/Are_bathtub_overflow_drains_required) ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/3 "2015-03-29T01:34:00Z")
What about bathroom sinks where I usually see them in my service area. I do test them & sometimes they are clogged. ---
**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/4 "2015-03-29T01:38:35Z")
Bathroom sinks are not required to have overflows so it follows suit bathtubs would not require them either. ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/5 "2015-03-29T01:51:39Z")
Logical - thanks Bob. ---
**Author:** ![gromicko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gromicko/32/58172_2.png) [@gromicko](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gromicko)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 3:23am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/6 "2015-03-29T03:23:25Z")
> **[Are bathtub overflow drains required](https://www.answers.com/Q/Are_bathtub_overflow_drains_required)** > > The ICC (International Code Council) has recently is... So they really aren’t overflow drains at all. ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/7 "2015-03-29T12:46:56Z")
> [@gromicko](#): > > [Are bathtub overflow drains required? - Answers](http://www.answers.com/Q/Are_bathtub_overflow_drains_required) > > So they really aren’t overflow drains at all. That’s pretty interesting on tubs. thanks I still don’t like the glass bowl on top sinks with no overflow protection. > **[Bathroom Vessel Sinks | Copper Sinks | Glass Sinks | Natural Stone Sinks](https://www.bathroomvesselsinks.com/index.php?route=common%2Fhome)** > > Eden Bath Vessel Sinks. A Manufacturer Of Natural Stone Sinks, Copper Sinks and Glass Sinks. We also offer a collection of contemporary vessel sink faucets available in a wide variety of finishes to compliment our unique vessel sinks. ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 12:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/8 "2015-03-29T12:58:38Z")
I hate those ugly things. The bowl is usually loose you can spin 'em. ---
**Author:** ![mclark2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mclark2/32/170907_2.png) [@mclark2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mclark2)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/9 "2015-03-29T13:22:07Z")
> [@mgoldenberg](#): > > I hate those ugly things. > The bowl is usually loose you can spin 'em. Maybe they’re supposed to be used for something other than just washing hands, just make sure she don’t break it!! :mrgreen: ---
**Author:** ![asinger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/asinger/32/100152_2.png) [@asinger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/asinger)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/10 "2015-03-29T13:29:24Z")
Just came across one of these old style tubs last week with the filler spout where the overflow is commonly found today ---
**Author:** ![cbottger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cbottger/32/206_2.png) [@cbottger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cbottger)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/11 "2015-03-29T14:13:13Z")
> [@](#): > > I still don’t like the glass bowl on top sinks with no overflow protection. There is no overflow protection do you really think gravity flow through one of those little holes will stay ahead of pressure flow from a faucet. ??? ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/12 "2015-03-29T16:16:30Z")
What good is an overflow when the drain is clogged (tub or sink)? ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/13 "2015-03-29T17:48:00Z")
> [@cbottger](#): > > There is no overflow protection do you really think gravity flow through one of those little holes will stay ahead of pressure flow from a faucet. ??? Depends on how the big the overflow hole is. I thought everyone knew that? :roll: Speaking of depends. What size do you wear? ---
**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/14 "2015-03-29T17:58:40Z")
> [@mlarson](#): > > Depends on how the big the overflow hole is. I thought everyone knew that? :roll: > > Speaking of depends. What size do you wear? Depends on drain pipe diameter as well. ---
**Author:** ![cbottger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cbottger/32/206_2.png) [@cbottger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cbottger)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/15 "2015-03-30T02:24:23Z")
> [@mlarson](#): > > Depends on how the big the overflow hole is. I **thought** everyone knew that? :roll: > > Speaking of depends. What size do you wear? There you go thinking again, every time you think I smell wood burning. Was your father really a plumber if so that would make you a 1/2 A\*\* plumber;-) ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/16 "2015-03-30T03:38:43Z")
> [@cbottger](#): > > There you go thinking again, every time you think I smell wood burning. Was your father really a plumber if so that would make you a 1/2 A\*\* plumber;-) You don’t know half what you think you know. But I know this. One a s hit kicker always a s hit kicker with or without the read hat. ---
**Author:** ![cevans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cevans/32/244194_2.png) [@cevans](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cevans)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/17 "2015-03-30T04:11:37Z")
> [@mlarson](#): > > That’s pretty interesting on tubs. thanks > > I still don’t like the glass bowl on top sinks with no overflow protection. A sink overflow drain is just about the most foul and nasty thing you will find on the north side of a trap seal, short of the toilet bowl itself. ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/18 "2015-03-30T11:57:08Z")
> [@cevans](#): > > A sink overflow drain is just about the most foul and nasty thing you will find on the north side of a trap seal, short of the toilet bowl itself. Probably ---
**Author:** ![cbottger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cbottger/32/206_2.png) [@cbottger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cbottger)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/19 "2015-03-30T12:26:03Z")
> [@mlarson](#): > > You don’t know half what you think you know. > > But I know this. > > One a s hit kicker always a s hit kicker with or without the read hat. I have forgotten more than you will ever know dude go back to the NFE your above your pay grade up here. NFE should be called bottom feeders:D ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226/20 "2015-03-30T12:41:39Z")
> [@cbottger](#): > > I have forgotten more than you will ever know dude go back to the NFE your above your pay grade up here. NFE should be called bottom feeders:D Yes I hear the aged often lose their faculties. Give it up red hat. I can throw it back faster than you can sling it. [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/does-a-bathtub-require-an-overflow-drain/95226.md?page=2)