How to Install a New Kitchen Sink

Posted in Uncategorized on 08/24/2009 02:47 pm by hormoth

In previous articles we discussed how to remove your old kitchen sink and prepare your new sink for installation. This article covers actually mounting the sink and hooking up the plumbing. At the end of this article you should be able to turn the water on it and use your new sink. We are assuming your new sink already has strainers installed and the faucet set installed and there’s an open hole in your counter top.
No matter what type of new sink your installing it is always a good idea to put a bead of adhesive kitchen caulking around the bottom of the rim where it comes in contact with the countertop. This will assure the sink will not move around after installation and most times this is all that’s needed to secure it in place. It is a good idea to have someone help you set the sink in place, one person above and one person under the cabinet to help guide it into the hole. There are some models of sinks that have mounting screws attached to the lower rim, under the cabinet. These are normally held in place with a metal clamp. They should be secured all the way around the sink. There should be instruction sheet that came with your new sink to show you the location of the screws and clamps. Now that your sink is in place exactly where you like it make sure you measure off the backsplash at both corners so the sink is square with the countertop. You can either tape the new sink in place with wide masking tape or wait 24 hours for the caulking to set up before finishing your installation.
The remainder of our work happens inside the cabinet, under the sink. The better lighting you have and the more cushion for your back the easier your job will be. I like to hook up the water supply first, as they are furthest back in the hole and most flexible. The only concern is hooking the hot to the hot and cold to the cold. It’s easy to find out which one is the hot if you have a dishwasher as that extra line will be going to the hot valve, typically the hot is on the left and the cold is on the right. There is no need for Teflon tape as your new supply lines have a rubber gasket to seal the water, so just tighten them down with a crescent wrench and, again, do not over tightening. Turn the valves on and take a paper towel to check for any leaks.
The waste connection is a series of plastic, or metal, pipes which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. In a two bowl configuration there are two strainers that tie together and then go through a P trap before entering the wall. You can purchase an entire set of waste pipes from any hardware store and follow the directions included in the packaging. It is always a good idea to replace the seal at the wall flange. When your installation is complete plug the strainers, fill the sink with water, unplugged the strainers and check for leaks on your waste lines. Finish the job by putting a small bead of caulking around the sink and faucet set and you’re ready to use your new sink.

 

How to Prep a New Kitchen Sink

Posted in Uncategorized on 08/23/2009 05:18 pm by hormoth

For the do-it-yourselfer installing a kitchen sink can be a breeze. With a few tips and tricks it can make your job a lot easier. This article will show you some shortcuts and help anyone accomplish this task. This installation guide assumes you are putting in a top mount sink and you’re starting with an open hole in your counter top.

Now is the time to prepare the area as everything is clear and out of your way this will include scraping the counter top in making sure there are no marks or excess caulking that will be seen after the new sink is installed. It is also important to check the valves and the opening, where the waste goes into the wall, to make sure they’re in good working condition. It would also be a good time just to clean up generally underneath the sink while everything is open and clear. Vacuum all loose debris and put down a towel to make your work space cleaner and more accessible.

Let’s take our new sink and set it on a nice flat surface to work on it. The first thing we want to do is put in the new strainer baskets. These are normally metal with a large nut that holds the strainer in place inside the sink. We will need some plumbers putty to seal the strainer in the sink; you can buy this at any hardware store. Take some out and roll it in a long thin string, 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter, wrapping the entire lip of the strainer. Don’t worry about excess putty squeezing into the sink as it comes off very easily. Next hold the strainer in place and put on the large nut that goes on the bottom. The trick is to tighten until excess putty starts coming out the edges and you have full coverage without over tightening. get it snug enough so you can’t turn the strainer by hand. If you have a disposal the strainer works the same way and the disposal attaches to the bottom of that strainer.

Next we will install the faucets set. When I do this I slide the sink off the edge of the counter little bit so I can get access to both sides of the sink. Follow the instructions included with your new faucet set to make sure it is installed correctly. I always put little kitchen adhesive on the bottom of the faucet to help hold it in place. Next attach your new water supply lines to the bottom of faucet before the sink is in place. It makes it a lot easier to hook up to the supply valves. Your new sink should be ready to install.

 

Great Help for Removing Kitchen Sinks

Posted in Uncategorized on 08/21/2009 05:56 pm by hormoth
Is your old kitchen sink full of dents, chips, scratches, etc? Go to the store and purchase a new one. It will update the look of your kitchen and make the area you spend so much time in clean and shiny like the day it was new. This article will help you understand the basics of removing and installing an above counter sink. This only a basic article and is geared toward general help. If you aren’t very handy, you should seek a professional and use this article to make sure he is doing it right.
There are some basic components that need to be changed with your new sink. New strainer baskets, new plastic waste traps, and new water supply lines are a must. You may want to consider a new faucet, as they are easier to install with the sink sitting out of the hole. When the sink is in place it can be a tight fit. Another item to consider replacing is the disposal. They can get pretty nasty after a few years ant the fittings can become corroded.
The first task is to shut the water supply. The valves are usually against the wall directly under the sink. Take a small crescent wrench and remove the supply lines, to the faucet, at the valve. If water starts spraying, the valve either is not shut off all the way or is faulty. If it is faulty the main water supply feeding the house will have to be shut off. Next disconnect the waste line at the wall. Usually these are plastic or chrome. Chrome takes a pipe wrench to loosen and the plastic can usually be done by hand. These fittings slide back and forth for adjustment so they are pretty easy to work with. If you have a dishwasher you should also have a hose attached to your waste lie as well. This will also need to be disconnected at the waste trap. Unplug the disposal, if you have one, but it can usually be left on the sink.
Kitchen sinks are held in place by different means. Sometimes they are just set in place with a bead of caulk under the lip and sometimes there are several screw type clamps holding them from underneath. Take a flashlight and look from underneath. If there are screws, just remove them. Use a sharp razor knife between the lip and counter top, to cut the seal, all the way around the sink. Be very careful not to scratch or damage the counter top as the new sink may not cover the damage. Push from under the sink and have a helper gently pry under the lip and the sink should start to peel from the counter top. When it is completely broken free, pick it out of the hole and set it someplace safe to remove any needed components. Congratulations, you did it!
Is your old kitchen sink full of dents, chips, scratches, etc? Go to the store and purchase a new one. It will update the look of your kitchen and make the area you spend so much time in clean and shiny like the day it was new. This article will help you understand the basics of removing and installing an above counter sink. This only a basic article and is geared toward general help. If you aren’t very handy, you should seek a professional and use this article to make sure he is doing it right.
There are some basic components that need to be changed with your new sink. New strainer baskets, new plastic waste traps, and new water supply lines are a must. You may want to consider a new faucet, as they are easier to install with the sink sitting out of the hole. When the sink is in place it can be a tight fit. Another item to consider replacing is the disposal. They can get pretty nasty after a few years ant the fittings can become corroded.
The first task is to shut the water supply. The valves are usually against the wall directly under the sink. Take a small crescent wrench and remove the supply lines, to the faucet, at the valve. If water starts spraying, the valve either is not shut off all the way or is faulty. If it is faulty the main water supply feeding the house will have to be shut off. Next disconnect the waste line at the wall. Usually these are plastic or chrome. Chrome takes a pipe wrench to loosen and the plastic can usually be done by hand. These fittings slide back and forth for adjustment so they are pretty easy to work with. If you have a dishwasher you should also have a hose attached to your waste lie as well. This will also need to be disconnected at the waste trap. Unplug the disposal, if you have one, but it can usually be left on the sink.
Kitchen sinks are held in place by different means. Sometimes they are just set in place with a bead of caulk under the lip and sometimes there are several screw type clamps holding them from underneath. Take a flashlight and look from underneath. If there are screws, just remove them. Use a sharp razor knife between the lip and counter top, to cut the seal, all the way around the sink. Be very careful not to scratch or damage the counter top as the new sink may not cover the damage. Push from under the sink and have a helper gently pry under the lip and the sink should start to peel from the counter top. When it is completely broken free, pick it out of the hole and set it someplace safe to remove any needed components. Congratulations, you did it!
 
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