How to Replace a Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink has a central place in all the cooking endeavors as well as cleaning up projects that need to be undertaken later. In such a case, a broken sink can be a real inconvenience. There cannot be any delays in a replacement in this case.

My first attempt at replacing a sink was a sinking experience as I grappled with water being sprayed on my face and my kitchen flooded with water. I did it right the second time though and in this article I share what I learned in the process. I assume here that you plan to undertake only the sink replacement and do not plan on changing the kitchen countertop on which it is mounted. I also assume that you are replacing the old sink with a new one which is exactly similar to the old one in size. The things that you'll need are a putty knife and a socket wrench of appropriate size. Along with that you need lots of patience.

Replacing a Kitchen Sink Easily

First task is to select a new sink which is tailor made to your measurement requirements. Measure the dimensions of countertop. That will help you in choosing a new sink. Selecting a same sized sink is a smart move as it will save you the task of cutting through the countertop to create a larger hole. A stainless steel sink is the best option as it's durable and easiest to install. Standard sink size is 33 inch x 22 inch with a depth of about 7 inches.

First part of the plumbing project is removing the old sink. If you don't want your kitchen to be transformed in to a swimming pool, I recommend that you close all the water inlet valves of the sink, before going ahead. Also disconnect the other connections like supply tube, disposal and trap. Be careful and keep a tub underneath while removing the pipes as they may still contain residual water inside.

Usually the sink faucets are not attached with the sink but are attached above the sink in the wall. If the faucet comes in the way of removing the sink, then it will have to be temporarily removed, using a pipe wrench, after you have disconnected the water supply line. If the faucet is attached to the sink, then it will have to be removed and reattached to the new sink. In that case attach the faucet before you put the sink in place.

The sink is attached to the countertop with the help of clips on the downside. To remove the sink, you need to remove these clips with the help of a socket wrench or a screwdriver. Remove the pipe attached underneath and after making sure that all that connections are removed, lift it up from the countertop. Once the old sink is removed, thoroughly clean the countertop surface underneath. The old caulk used with the old sink, will need to be removed with the help of a putty knife.

Keep the clips as they may be useful, if the new replacement sink is of the same size as the old one. In case they are damaged, you need to buy new ones. Usually they are packaged together with the kitchen sink. Apply caulk on underside of the sink and on the borders of the countertop cavity. Next you have to install the sink in place with the help of the clips. Align them in place and match them with their mates on the underside. Lower the sink in place of the counter top, before fixing in the nuts. That should get the sink in place. Be careful and watch your fingers, while lowering the sink in the countertop.

Now you can install the water lines back again and attach the U-shaped disposal pipe back again underneath. You will need to apply pipe threading compound to pipe ends and seal the connections. Also connect the garbage disposal unit back again. Attach the faucet back again with the help of a pipe wrench. With that your job is complete.

The job can be finished in a few hours, depending on how good you are at all the plumbing maneuvers. Replacing the sink could be considerably easy, if you observe the way the whole sink assembly was before and reproduce it back again as it was. I wish you happy plumbing.