Why I am so unhappy with IKEA and their new Havsen double farm sink

6 years ago

We are finishing up a kitchen reno. We went went with Ikea cabinets and their double Domsjo farm sink. We were "lucky" enough to get one of the last ones available - it has since been discontinued. I installed it on our temporary counters - everything was fine - next day though to our horror we saw that it had cracked - about 6" on the inside and part way up the side.

We called IKEA who said they would take care of it. They gave us the option of either having it repaired or we could wait until the new Havsen was out and replace it with it. We were told by an Ikea rep that this new one would be "Identical". We were also told, again by an Ikea rep that they had so many people wanting a Domsjo (guess they crack on a regular basis) that they would likely be doing another run of them. So we waited, and waited and called and called. Finally I found an Ikea person who actually knew what was going on. The Domsjo would not be made again. The new Havsen would not be "identical" - it is missing the washboard at the back. They would not cover the cost to repair my Domsjo - they would only give me $100 and have me sign off on the warranty.

Reluctantly I put in the Havsen sink - again onto the plywood - we needed a sink in for the quartz to get templated.

We don't like the Havsen:

- it is plain looking without the washboard at the back.

- the drains are more towards the front of the sink meaning the plumbing and garbage disposal take up almost all of the usable space in the cabinet.

- the divide between the two bowls is level with the front and back so if you overflow one bowl the water will overflow onto the counter not into the other side.

- the counter at the back of the sink combined with how the sink sits on the counter is going to be a pain to keep clean.

- we need to pay an extra $537 for the counter that will now run behind the sink.

- the sink where the drains fit is fairly thick, maybe this will prevent cracks, but it left just enough space for the waste king disposal to be installed. I wouldn't be surprised if some disposals won't work with this sink.

If we had know the problems we were going to have we would have looked harder at other options besides Ikea. I didn't realize the their cabinet for the sink would only easily fit an Ikea sink. They sort of have you locked in that way.

Thanks for letting me vent - hope this somehow helps others. Best to know what your getting into when you buy Ikea.

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JAN MOYER

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I'm waiting for the near day / seventeen thousand posts asking how to get the chipped, stained, farm sink out, and replace the cabinet and counter on no money. Those will be right beneath the similar question regarding ship lap walls

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Comments (88)

Katie Tate
6 years ago
I'm actually pleased to have the option of the new one without the washboard. Now I can install in counter soap dispensers where as before I couldn't. Sorry to hear of your issues though.
pink_peony
6 years ago
This only makes me thankful I didn't cave to our builders designer trying to talk me into the farm sink. Everyone I know who has had one has had some kind of issue with them either during installation or after with chipping, cracking etc. Not Ikea specific just in general.
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Hi Julian H, Wow, many thanks for your amazing inspiration! I love the idea of bifold doors, although that would take me way over my budget....but it would be lovely - and has got me thinking...! Unfortunately I don't want to lose the single door as that is the door to a small bathroom which is difficult to access from elsewhere and would then be access from a carpeted floor rather than a tiled floor, which from a muddy garden is a no. …. But with the bi fold doors, I would then be ok with blocking up my side window as per Jonathan's initial comment. Yes, moving the sink and water supply would be a pain/pricey, but it could be worthwhile seeing as everything is coming out - this is the one time opportunity. Let me have a think! Many thanks for this idea. I am trying to avoid having an extension, but maybe bi-folds could get round this and still provide a fabulous view (plus I think my boyfriend's parents are thinking of getting their bi-folds updated!!!). Many thanks again.
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Marisa Gill
6 years ago
Argh! How did you get your sink so fast?! They said no inventory until end of April sigh
Susan Lundstedt
6 years ago
I'm glad they found something to take the place of the domsjo. I had been planning to have two of them in my new kitchen when I got around to having the time and money to undertake that particular remodel (that is, when I finish up the livingroom and hallway). Then, just when I thought I was going to be ready this fall....no apron sink! Oh no! So glad they didn't give up on the look. And I particularly like that it is still an over-mount style...that's what I really liked about the domsjo. To me, under-mount sinks always look like someone didn't measure quite right. It's too bad about the center divide being the same height as the surround, but, since that is the way my current stainless steel sink is, I don't think it will bother me too much....I will be soooooooo happy to get rid of the stainless. No matter what you do stainless always looks grubby.....I don't mind a few signs of wear, (mars or even stains)....but somehow stainless, no matter how clean, always looks smeary....
Dorota Badiere
6 years ago
Garth, Thank you for this post. I am in the middle of my own kitchen renovation with the exact Havsen sink. Just tried settng it onto the base cabinet yesterday - I love it but it seems like the apron is sticking out too much in front and leaving too much space between the sink and the wall. Does the whole front suppose to stick out? Or did you have to cut a bit into the cabinet? (I had to router cut the top of the base cabinet for the cooktop to fit, so I am ready for it...) This is my first apron sink so maybe it should be like this?
prplfpd
6 years ago
I'm so sorry for the issues you are dealing with! My daughter and her husband were told the same thing ... that the new sink was an exact replacement - that Ikea had just gotten rid of the washboard. Not true! Unfortunately they already have installed the countertop, thinking they could just slide in the sink since it was the same dimension. Now that the measurements have come out, they realize they are going to have a 7" gap in the back of the sink to deal with. Ugh! BTW, they went with the sink b/c my other daughter and I both have the Domsjo 36" double farm sink and love it - with no issues of cracking. And yes, the washboard is a pain to clean!!! But otherwise it's an awesome sink!
blondelle
6 years ago
IKEA told me they did away with the backboard to allow more flexibility to make your own holes in back for different types of faucets. It only came with one hole. That piece in back was part of the sink's charm though.
writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
IKEA told me they did away with the backboard to allow more flexibility to make your own holes in back for different types of faucets. It only came with one hole.

I always thought it was bizarre that the single-bowl came with punchouts for extra holes and the double-bowl didn't, but I suppose there was some structural reason why they didn't want to encourage extra holes in the double.

Certainly the integral back piece made installation a lot easier for DIY, where you could just cut the counter top and not worry about getting a partial cutout exactly right.
Beni Setien Blevins
6 years ago
Hey Garth what is the new sink’s name? Are you in the USA? If yes what star? I can’t find this sink. My Dimsojo - both back corners have cracked :(
Garth S
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi

The new sink is Havsen. I’m in Alberta. I got it early through my local store. I heard it was coming out this spring. Sorry to hear about the cracks. Good luck.
Kimberly Cruser
6 years ago
I was sad to see that they had discontinued the "washboard back" sink, because we started a kitchen remodel a few weeks ago and I found out that it was no longer available due to cracking issues. It is a cast iron sink, but they did not continue the cast iron backing onto the "washboard" piece, so tha'ts why they were having all the cracking issues and discontinued them. They did have the replacement Havsen sink in store. I flat out told the kitchen design employee that I did not like the look of it and asked if they knew any home improvement placement stores that would offer the same sized sink, so I could find one that I liked. She told me that Lowe's had a white apron sink that would fit perfectly in the Ikea cabinet cut out and even gave me the price it was the last time she saw it in Lowe's. And I also just asked for the exact measurements of the Ikea sink, so I could find one online that I liked, and I found several choices that would fit the Ikea cut-out. .... sorry that you didn't have someone as helpful as I did, because I know how much you want to love your kitchen... especially when its brand new!! I hope that you can find a sink that you like. :)
writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
It is a cast iron sink, but they did not continue the cast iron backing onto the "washboard" piece, so tha'ts why they were having all the cracking issues and discontinued them

FWIW, it was fireclay, not cast iron, if this refers to the domsjo sink that was so popular for so many years.
fischerbrenda6
6 years ago
Kimberly Cruser Looked at Lowes and could not find a white apron sink that would work. Can you please share the brand and model?
Jess
6 years ago
Do you think this sink could be installed undermount? I know some folks were able to “hack” the domsjo to undermount it, and with the lack of washboard, I would think it would be even easier. Or would this not make sense?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
fischerbrenda6:

What cabinets and what size are you looking to put a sink into, please?
emma_gillard
6 years ago
Ilfdnh:

I am having a similar issue and customer service is disgusting. So it turns out our domsjo sink is extremely flawed but only just discovered it due to several other delays caused by ikea also. Long story short our counters are fabricated but we have a faulty/flawed sink. We know for a fact our store has a couple of sinks they could give us but said they'll "sell them to whoever at some point". Despite it being their fault, I am happy to PAY for another one just to get it done and prevent a huge loss countertop wise. However, Ikea will just sell them randomly at some point. I suggested surely they should set the few remaining ones aside for people in the same boat as us but they basically said they didn't care. So we called customer service and after holding for over 2 hours (we have screenshots to prove it) they called the store for us and then also said tough luck. So we asked customer service what can be done as there's a warranty and also ikea totally messed up our kitchen (we gave order numbers which she could look up and see the serious elapse of time etc). She said we could maybe get a refund for the sink or get the newer style sink ...which doesn't help with the counters at all! I don't care about free sinks, I just want the sink. I wish we had all got a warning about them stopping it and they'd made enough for those of us who received them damaged etc. It was always my understanding (as I was told this by their reps) that they can honor their warranties as they also warehouse a a large anount of replacements when a line is discontinued. Clearly not true. I am extremely annoyed as this is not an isolated incident and I could go on for hours about the many problems we have had (we've done two complete house renos using them and it's been terrible). I am from England but live in the US with my American husband. I used Ikea as HD let us down a lot on deliveries, correct windows etc and I found Ikea good in the UK but here it's a joke. Also here it really varies store to store. One is beyond comically bad, eg last weekend we waitied until long after closing for a kitchen part and they kept saying it wasn't ready as it was still in the red zone on the display board (annoying as we needed to leave by closing time to get to another store... We were way away from home and wanted to make the most of yet another trip all the way to Ikea for a faulty part). Anyway turns it the piece was sitting there ready for 5 hours!!! I even asked 'um are you sure that packet on that cart isn't ours' a couple of times and was told no as that's not what the screen showed. Reminded me of the many Sharon Tate "computer says no" sketches. Sorry to rant but basically if anyone is having problems, good luck!
emma_gillard
6 years ago
FYI I was told by the guy in kitchens that there is a comparable Kohler of the exact same dimensions/depth but it apparently costs $2,000. Yet to find this mystical sink but it sounds a little pricey! He told me this after telling me he'd be selling the spare sinks at some point. Great. Thanks.
jhmarie
6 years ago
emma - see if your fabricator will take pity on you and sell you a piece of countertop material that could be seamed between the two pieces on each side of the sink in the back - just have that extra piece on hand in case the Domsjo you have fails ( or maybe it already has from your post.) Then, if you need an overmount apron front, the Kohler Vault might work - it is a stainless steel apron front and comes in a "short apron" style as well as a "tall apron" style. If I understand our good countertop guy Joe, the Vault can work except a piece of countertop is needed for the back. The cast iron Whitehaven also has a short apron style. It is an under mount, but might work again - need to seam a piece of countertop in the back and not sure how it will meet up with the countertop at the sides.

See Joe's last answer in this thread:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/where-to-buy-sink-in-us-dsvw-vd~5250072
jhmarie
6 years ago
The Kohler Vault is not $2000. I think it is about $500 - $700. That $2000 may be the cost of the sink plus a retrofit or having the sink customized.
emma_gillard
6 years ago
Thank you very much. I'm going to try some work arounds like you have suggested. My rant is mainly that there is one simple solution - better Ikea customer service! It just annoys me that there's a solution sat right there at the store but they won't sort it out or prioritise the customers who have been screwed over to get the last sinks they have out back and on display... They'll just be putting them out to sell randomly at some point. But lesson learnt for me, not a great place for customer service or logic.

Yes I don't know what the $2,000 was about ...he def said the sink alone cost that much... I think he was just enjoying taunting me. It was all a bit odd. It's so strange as no one I know has had issues with Ikea in the UK but here in the US I know a lot who have (& I don't even know that many people here!).
emma_gillard
6 years ago
Also, I was told the reason for discontinuing the domsjo was that customers kept trying to drill for air gaps and cracking the sinks and it was costing Ikea too much money... Hmm seems unlikely seeing as they won't even replace a faulty one so I can imagine they happily replaced many with holes cut into them.

There may be some truth to it though as the sink is still available in the UK and we do not require such air gaps there.
PRO
Havens | Luxury Metals
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Sorry to hear about your misfortune with this sink. The Ikea sinks are really bad news in my opinion, I've personally spoken to dozens of customers who have failed Ikea sinks. The ribbed rear deck is a horrible design - as the cleaning involved is very time consuming (imagine cleaning between every rib). Lately, we have seen a huge influx of homeowners with the Domsjo sink that has failed poorly. We are one of the only custom sink manufacturers capable of properly replacing these sinks with respect to keeping existing countertops and cabinetry. While the Ikea sinks are cost effective, they inevitably wear out within months or a few short years which can be a nightmare since the entire kitchen is laid out around the sink. For anyone seeking a sink replacement, consider a Havens custom made sink - which has a lifetime warranty forever guaranteeing the finish.

The Havens Replacement Sink Solution

Good luck with your project and contact us if you would like some advice :)

- Alex Havens of Havens Metal

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bubblyjock
5 years ago
Havens Metal - not sure where you're coming from on the ribbed porcelain on the double Domsjo sink being difficult to keep clean, as it drained well enough, and you simply swipe it with a brush or a cloth? It's as easy to keep clean as any porcelain is.

Anyway, if anyone wants to retrofit their kitchen with a different apron front farmhouse sink, Rachiele Copper Sinks do a beautiful job with existing counters, and their plumbing is clever enough that you can actually use that awkward space underneath the sink.
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john197174
5 years ago
Jeez. Our countertops get installed in 2 days. Our sink broke this morning. I super pleased with IKEA to learn it's been discontinued now that we've spent thousands to fabricate custom counters based on their product. When we ordered everything originally, they told us the new sink would be an exact size replacement so we were not worried about grabbing one of the last of the lot.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
john:

Abandon IKEA, please. Your fabricator can find a remnant for the rear so you could install a stainless apron sink that will look like you planned it that way all along.
Chantel
5 years ago
Could this be a viable replacement?

https://www.us.kohler.com/us/Assure-36-x-25-1-2-x-6-7-8-barrier-free-tile-in-under-mount-double-equal-kitchen-sink-with-4-faucet-holes/productDetail/kitchen-sinks/418986.htm
ktlylall
5 years ago
I agree, I agree, I agree....I LOVED the old farm sink. Obviously, it should not crack but the design was awesome. I feel like I’ve lost a dear friend : (
Kim Jones
5 years ago
We purchased this sink in October of 2017 and just had our counter tops installed yesterday. The installers placed the sink into the space. I noticed last evening that there is now a crack that runs from one side of the sink to the other (just below the wash board). We sat on hold with Ikea for over an hour last night and finally go no help but was discontinued. While Ikea states that there is a replacement sink for this flawed sink, there certainly is not! I agree with Garth. There will now be a 7inch gap between the wall and any kind of new sink. I am at a complete loss. Our counters were just installed and now we are stuck. I am furious!

If you have found something that is remotely similar, please share!
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Kim:

Don't panic, please. Post a picture of your situation with dimensions. I'll hook you up.
Kim Jones
5 years ago
@joseph Corlett thank you for your interest! As you can see (if you zoom in) the crack runs from one side of the “bridge” to the other.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Kim:

Sorry I wasn't more clear. There is no repairing the sink; there is only replacement. Please stand back and take a picture of the sink, adjacent cabinets, sink cabinet front, and splash and include dimensions.
christinex4
5 years ago
christinex4
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Where did our engineering go wrong? Base recycling drawer won’t close because it hits bottom of sink and sink won’t go further back because of counter. Help!! Anyone have ideas or a fix? Counters are laminate from Ikea. We followed directions.
sheloveslayouts
5 years ago
Christinex4 - this is a relatively old thread. You'll get more eyes on your dilemma if you start a new thread with a subject like Help-Ikea sink install problem
Chessie
5 years ago
Yikes - agree you need a new thread. But that sink looks to be installed incorrectly - I have never seen one jutting out that far. I would bust a hip on that!!
writersblock (9b/10a)
5 years ago
The jut is evidently correct. Ikea's photo of the single bowl version from their website:
ulisdone
5 years ago
Christinex4 a cutout ( notch) is needed so that the front vertical line in the sink sits flush against the cabinet fronts. In other words, the sink needs to be pushed back a number of inches and the counter top must be cut to accommodate this.

And your door fronts are probably too high. Normally there would be a trim piece that goes across the front under the sink.
leah
5 years ago
we just installed a single bowl havsen. it does jut out, though I think not as much as yours. there's a fixed panel directly under the sink, and there's a regular cabinet door is below that, so not rubbing up against the sink at all. but i don't know what's intended with the recycling drawer. (we don't have cab pulls on yet, hence the blue tape)
Chessie
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
writersblock

The jut is evidently correct. Ikea's photo of the single bowl version from their website:

No, that is different that her photo, There is a jut, yes, but certainly not like she has.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
"Anyone have ideas or a fix?"

Notch your countertops to allow the sink to return to the cabinets, please. Adjust you cabinet doors to accommodate the sink. I had to do that today for a customer.
HU-7861108
5 years ago
Will the Kohler Vault sink just drop in where we take out our IKEA Domsjo sink? I'm looking at the two bowl Vault if that matters to replace the two bowl sink from IKEA that is badly cracked. I know we will have to find some way to cobble behind the sink to the back splash, not sure what to do there. I'm also waiting on quotes for a custom made stainless sink. That will probably be pricey though.
HU-71665900
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Does anybody know where I can buy a metal sink basket for the Havson double sink? It is smaller than my old domsjo
HU-525287376
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

Our domsjo sink like everyone else has a crack and we need to replace It... the problem is that to get the sink to fit correctly the had to shave back our counter by our faucet hole. So you only have half a hole!

deaperate to find a replacement at this point that won’t break the bank!! Can anyone help?!
Jerry Jorgenson
5 years ago
My experience with Ikea is that they are not the Ikea they were thirty years ago. I still have an Ikea desk from that time that will outlast me. Recently Ikea opened a store near where I now live (after fifteen years of no Ikea). The desks now are just so cheap looking that I think they might last a year.

Now back to sinks. During our kitchen remodel two years ago we installed a Rachiele 42" sink. It's been great, and although not the most inexpensive, there's almost no maintenance and the self-healing qualities make it a real winner.

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elebea2
4 years ago
I have a spare Ikea Domsjo double sink in my basement. My husband was concerned that something might happen during the original installation so bought 2 to be safe. The sink was installed in 2014 without incident and we are very happy with it. No problems whatsoever. We're in Canada, near Toronto; it's still in the box.
Catharine Layton
4 years ago
Any chance you'd be willing to sell it to a pour soul in California?
elebea2
4 years ago
By all means, lol.
Catharine Layton
4 years ago
Can you email me? I’m serious about buying it! Catharinelayton@yahoo.com
maddox2
4 years ago
If she did not purchase it, I will! Let me know and I will send you my email address
elebea2
4 years ago
She did purchase it.

Why I am so unhappy with IKEA and their new Havsen double farm sink

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