Kitchen sinks get a lot of use which makes them very susceptible to the tell-tale signs of general wear and tear. If you don’t find yourself needing to, or having the desire to, replace the kitchen sink in your home for design reasons, it is still likely that for practical reasons, you’ll have to replace your sink at some stage after it finally succumbs to the frequency of use. If you are fairly handy at home DIY, it is certainly worth considering replacing your kitchen sink yourself when the time comes. Doing so can help you save a ton of money, and if the project is a success, it could rightfully earn you some serious bragging rights! If you fancy taking a stab at tackling the task at hand, follow our steps below for removing and installing a kitchen sink.
Removing a Kitchen Sink
- Measure the space of your kitchen sink and ensure that the new sink can comfortably fit the space.
- Turn off the water valves and relieve water pressure by turning on the faucet.
- Disconnect the water supply and dishwasher line (if there is one). You’ll need an adjustable wrench to do this and it’s a good idea to have a bucket to hand to capture any water that drips/pours from the water supply or dishwasher lines.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the metal clips that attach the sink to the counter. You’ll find them right under the counter directly beneath the sink.
- Loosen any sealant with a knife before gently pushing the sink up from the bottom to loosen.
- Remove the sink and attachments and clean up any remaining dirt or residue.
Installing a Kitchen Sink
- Set your new sink into the space to see that it fits. If the sink is slightly too big, use a jig saw to modify the space to the required dimensions. Modifications should be a last resort; ideally you should have measured the space correctly before purchasing your new sink.
- Remove the sink and turn it upside down to attach the metal clips below the counter.
- Add some putty to the drain opening and install the new strainer by placing it firmly into the putty.
- Now, install the faucet and any other additional elements of the sink.
- Add sealant to the bottom of the sink rim before carefully lowering the sink into the countertop space. Ensure that it is perfectly aligned.
- Underneath the counter, tighten any screws, bolts or attachments.
- Reconnect the water supply lines to the faucet and supply pipes with a wrench – be very careful as you don’t want to do any damage here.
- Reinstall the dishwasher water supply line if there is one.
- Ensure that your old drainpipes align with your new sink. If they don’t match up, make some adjustments by adding a little extra to the pipe or clipping some away (if needed) and don’t forget to use sealant on any new joints.
- Turn the water supply back on and test for leaks or abnormalities.
If you’re not experienced when it comes to home DIY projects, replacing your kitchen sink is something that you might want to draft a buddy in on to help. If you are experienced and able for the job at hand, the whole process should take a maximum of 3-4 hours. Either way, you can expect to have a heavier wallet and feelings of accomplishment after completing this maintenance task!
