TrussMetal is a metal fabrication shop in North Vancouver. This page is for strata councils, developers, designers, veterinary clinics, groomers and pet-friendly businesses planning a wash station for dogs. We fabricate the basin and the stand or frame it sits on.
The taps, sprayer, drain fitting and plumbing connections are bought in and installed by your plumber, and the floor, wall finishes and waterproofing around the basin are by the general contractor. The basins are custom fabricated, not listed or certified grooming products.
Configurations
Raised basin on a stand
The basin at a working height for the person washing, on a welded stainless stand with levelling feet, fixed to the floor or wall. Dogs are lifted in, or use steps or a ramp where one has been agreed for that order.
Low-entry floor basin
A shallow basin close to the floor with a low entry lip, so larger dogs can step in. The floor and wall waterproofing and finishes around it are by the general contractor.
Concept drawing
Concept drawing
Concept drawing
Conceptual drawing for planning only. Not a photograph or record of completed TrussMetal work; final detailing is drawn for each project.
Basin Size, Support and Edges
Size
Internal length, width and depth are set from the largest dog the room is meant for, with space for it to stand and turn and for the person washing. The overall size also has to suit the room, the door it comes through and the plumbing positions.
Working height
For a raised basin, the rim height is set for the people who will use it, staff or residents.
Support and fixing
A welded stainless stand or frame with adjustable feet, designed for the basin full of water plus the dog. It is fixed to the floor or wall to suit what is there; the wall or floor structure is confirmed by others. We don’t publish load ratings; the quote states the largest dog and the water depth the basin was designed for.
Edges
Rims are folded or rolled, corners are rounded and welds are ground smooth, so there are no exposed sheet edges or fixings inside the basin where a dog or a hand can catch.
Backsplash
Upstands where the basin meets a wall. The joint to the wall finish is sealed by the trade doing that finish.
Material
304 stainless for indoor rooms; 316 where the basin is exposed to salt, chlorinated water or chloride cleaners. The grade and finish are checked against the cleaning and disinfecting products the building uses.
Watertightness
Seams are welded, and the basin is checked for leaks before delivery by the method and acceptance criteria agreed in the quote. Once connected, the plumber tests the drain and supply as part of their work.
Getting the Dog In and Out
Entry is planned for the dogs the room expects, and what is included is listed in the quote:
Lifting in
For small dogs and raised basins. The rim has no sharp edge, and the near side can be set lower.
Steps or ramp
A project-specific option for a raised basin, not a standard part. It is quoted only once its dimensions, stability, tread surface and the dogs and use it is for have been agreed for that order, and those are written into the quote. No load or slip rating is published.
Low entry lip
On a floor basin, a low lip on the entry side that the dog steps over.
Basin floor
Stainless is slippery when wet and soapy. A removable rubber mat is the usual answer and is bought in or supplied by the owner; a removable raised-pattern stainless floor grate can be quoted instead. Neither is a rated slip-resistant surface.
Doors
Not offered. A hinged door in the side of a basin has to seal against water every time it closes, and that has not been established for this product.
Drainage and Cleaning
Floor falls
The basin floor falls to the outlet, so water and hair don’t sit in the corners.
Outlet
The drain fitting and strainer are chosen by the plumber and fitted to an outlet made to suit. The trap, any hair interceptor and any other device the plumber or local authority requires are bought in and installed by the plumber, who handles any permit and inspection the plumbing needs.
Water supply
The hand sprayer, mixing valve and hose are bought in and installed by the plumber; the openings and a hose hook are made to suit them.
Cleaning access
Inside welds are ground smooth so hair and dirt don’t collect. The stand is open underneath, so the floor below can be cleaned and the trap and connections stay reachable.
Who Does What
Responsibilities that affect the quote
TrussMetal: the basin, its stand or frame, any steps, ramp or floor grate agreed for that order and listed in the quote, the openings for the plumber’s fittings, and the leak check agreed in the quote. Delivery and setting the basin in place can be quoted.
Plumber: drain fitting, strainer, trap and any interceptor, the water supply, mixing valve and sprayer, the connections, and any plumbing permit and inspection.
General contractor: floor and wall waterproofing and finishes, the room’s ventilation, and power for dryers or lighting through the electrician.
Owner, strata or operator: the largest dog the room is for, who uses it, the cleaning products, mats, and the rules for using the room.
It is sized from the largest dog the room is meant for, with space to stand and turn, then checked against the room, the door and the plumbing positions.
Do you install the taps and the drain?
No. The drain fitting, trap, sprayer and supply are bought in and installed and connected by your plumber. We make the openings to suit their fittings.
Is it a certified grooming tub?
No. The basins are custom fabricated and are not listed or certified products. If a listed product is required for your use, check before ordering.
Can it have a door?
Not from this page. Entry is by lifting, over a low lip on a floor basin, or by steps or a ramp agreed for that order.
Can you replace an existing basin?
Send photos, the dimensions you can take and the plumbing positions. The new basin is made to fit the space and the existing connections where the plumber confirms they can be reused.
Request a Quote
Send the room plan and what you know about the dogs and the plumbing.
What to include in your message
Room plan with the door width and the drain and water positions
The largest dog the room is for, and who will use it
Raised or low-entry, the basin size if known, and the working height
Entry: lifting, or steps or a ramp, and the dogs and use it is for
Mat or floor grate, and the cleaning products used
Indoor or outdoor, and any exposure to salt or chlorinated water
Who is doing the plumbing and the waterproofing, the quantity and your timing
The form starts blank: in “What do you need?”, select Other Custom Metalwork.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (778) 805-5333, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5:00.
