Installing New Sinks and Faucets

August 5, 2015 Guest Post

Are you planning to do some renovation work on your home? A simple update to the kitchen or bathroom is to add a new sink or faucet. Modern sinks and faucet systems conserve water, and will give your room a modern appeal. Here are some steps to follow when you are installing a new sink or faucet.

Measurements
You will need to purchase a new sink, or a new vanity for the bathroom if you want to completely change the look of the room. It is important to obtain the correct measurements. Measure the width starting at the base of the cabinet. The sink needs to be four inches narrower than the cabinet to provide room for proper mounting.

Turn Off the Water
You will need a set of tools to properly remove the sink. A kitchen sink often has raised pipes and will require a basin wrench to remove it. Once you know you have the right tools you can get started by turning off the water supply. The shutoff valves are typically located under the sink. Once you know the water is shut off, you can then work on disconnecting the sink from the faucet. You will need a bucket to help you catch any water that does come out of the lines.

Remove the Sink
This part can be tricky. You will need to uninstall the garbage disposable before you can remove the sink. Follow the directions on your garbage disposal for correct removal. Afterwards, you can then work on getting the sink out of the countertop. There are a series of clamps under the sink that you will need to remove by loosening the screws. Once these are out, loosen the sink from the countertop with a putty knife and elbow grease. The sink is usually heavy so have a friend or another person help you lift it out of the countertop assembly.

Measure the Countertop
Once you have removed the old sink, the next step is to measure the countertop to make sure your new sink will fit properly. As long as the sink is the same size, it will drop into place just fine. If you have purchased a larger sink, you will need to use a jigsaw to make the countertop opening bigger. Certain countertop openings cannot be changed, so you might need to purchase a new countertop to fit the size of your sink.

Install the Faucet Assembly
A new sink will need a faucet assembly. You can use the old one if it fits, or you can purchase and install a new one. Carefully read the instructions of the faucet assembly to properly install it. Installing the faucet before the sink is easy for some models, though others will need the sink in position first.

Add the New Sink
Now you can drop in the new sink: just do so slowly. You also need to make sure you are able to get the sink to fit in place correctly. Apply some silicon sealant around the sink to help it fit in place, and to seal off any holes.

Plumbing
Once your sink is sealed and in place, you can attach the plumbing. This process is important, as you must make sure you do not have any loose plumbing that can leak. Once everything is correctly attached and sealed, turn on the water and test it for leaks.

This article was written by Jared Miret, father and home handyman. He always recommends hiring a professional plumber to avoid both accidental and weather-related water damage.