5 Simple Steps to Replace a Kitchen Sink Without Stress
January 30, 2018
You’ve chosen the perfect kitchen island, a shiny, modern kitchen stove, and all the other necessities needed for a kitchen renovation—even a brand new sink. Now that you have all the goods, it’s time to put them in place. If you need to know a thing or two about sink installation, we’ve got you covered. Below is a quick guide with all you need to know on how to replace a kitchen sink.
5 Steps to Replace a Kitchen Sink
1. Assess Your Existing Sink
First, you’ll want to measure the sink currently in place. If the new sink you’ve chosen has different dimensions and drain locations than the existing sink, you may need to have work done on the countertop opening and/or sink plumbing.
Also, determine what type of sink you have in place already. The two basic kitchen sink designs are under-mounted and drop-ins. Under-mounted kitchen sinks are attached to the countertop from underneath while drop-in sinks are simply lowered into the sink opening on a countertop. There are slight differences in how you remove each type of sink, so you’ll want to know which kind of sink you are working with ahead of time.
2. Prepare For the Sink Removal
Since most of your work will be done in the cabinet under your sink, you’ll want to clear out this area before getting to work. Find yourself some protective eyewear and gloves to prepare to replace a kitchen sink. With a lot of pipes and other hazards to your eyes and hands, wearing personal protective equipment is an important step.
Next, unplug your garbage disposal if you have one. Working with electricity and water at the same time is very dangerous, so unplug your disposal as soon as possible, before you forget. As an added precaution, you may also want to turn off the circuit that the disposal plugs in to.
During this time, also be sure to turn off the water supply to the sink. There should be two separate valves below the sink—one for hot water and one for cold water. Turn both of the handles to shut them off. After you’ve turned the valves off, double check by trying to turn the water on in the sink. The water flow should be gone, but if a few drips occur at first, that’s fine. This step will also relieve water pressure in the lines.
After turning off the water supply, you’ll want to disconnect the water supply along with the garbage disposal. To disconnect the water supply, use an adjustable wrench. While holding the line in place with one hand, use the wrench in the other hand to loosen the nut.
Next, disconnect the drain pipe, which is connected at the bottom of your sink strainer. It should be held in place by a slip nut or a coupling nut, so you’ll need to loosen the nut as well as the nut at the far side of the P-trap. Then, disconnect and remove the garbage disposal too.
3. Remove the Old Sink
Now comes the fun part—removing the sink itself. First, carefully cut through the caulking around the kitchen sink using a utility knife.
Then, detach the sink from the countertop. This step is trickier if you have an under-mounted sink, and you’ll need another set of hands for assistance. Someone should hold the sink up while the other detaches it. Don’t try to do this step alone, as the sink could fall down onto you.
Finally, reach under the sink and push up or side to side to begin to loosen it. Now you should be able to pull the sink right out of the countertop. Before the new sink installation, be sure to clean up surfaces and spills. Also, mop up any water that has likely come out during the sink removal.
4. Cut a Hole For the New Sink
After successfully removing your old sink, cut a recess hole for the new sink. First, position the new sink face-down on the countertop to ensure the space at the front and back is even. Draw a line around the sink, and then measure the depth of the sink and make another pencil mark at this distance.
Next, use a drill to make a hole in each corner of the sink position inside the line you’ve drawn. Now, support the countertop underneath you and cut around the inside guide you’ve drawn. Use a jigsaw for this, and start at the holes you’ve drilled.
Once you’ve cut the hole, you can check to make sure the sink fits well in the hole. If it does, use a preservative primer to seal the cut edges of the countertop.
5. Install the New Sink
For the final step to replace a kitchen sink, you’ll need to assemble and insert the new sink. To do this, place the faucet into the hole in the sink and secure it under the sink. Also, install the hoses. Next, use instructions provided with your new sink to install the waste assembly and overflow section.
Seal the hole in the countertop next by caulking around the hole or using a gasket or seal that may have been supplied with the new sink. After installing retaining clips around the edge of the sink, tighten them on the underside of the countertop.
Lastly, connect faucets and waste, and you’re good to go!
Are you renovating a kitchen and need a new kitchen sink? Now that you know how to replace a kitchen sink, head over to a Kitchen & Bath Classics showroom to learn more about how to bring the rest of your kitchen together!