SUPPLIES
- New sink
- New single lever faucet
- Adjustable wrench
- Bucket
- Rags
- Adjustable multi-groove pliers
- Plumbers putty
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Wood blocks
- Caulk
Overview
With constant use sinks get worn or out of date and that can make the entire kitchen look bad. Replacing the old sink can bring new life, color and style to the kitchen with just a couple hours' work. This is not a hard project, but does go a lot faster and easier if you make sure you have the right tools. Some sinks can be very heavy too, so you might want to recruit the help of a friend.
Step 1
Turn off the water at the valve underneath the sink. Stick a bucket under the hot and cold water lines to catch any water that is still in the line when you remove them.
Step 2
Loosen the bolt that connects the sink water lines to the plumbing water lines just beyond the shut-off valve with an adjustable wrench. Finish unscrewing by hand and release the lines.
Step 3
Unscrew the large plastic bolt that holds the drain line. If it won't come off by hand, use multi-groove pliers to get around it. Remove the U-shaped P-trap over the bucket as it will be full of waste water.
Step 4
If you have a garbage disposal, turn off the electricity to it. Then disconnect the wiring. Stick a screwdriver through the ear of the retaining ring for the disposal and turn it a quarter turn. This will release the disposal. Set aside to reconnect after the new sink is installed.
Step 5
Unscrew the metal clips that hold the sink to the counter and lift the sink out. If there is caulk around the edge of the sink, you may need to cut it carefully with a utility knife or scraper to pull the sink up easily.
Step 6
Attach new faucets to your new sink. Place the rubber gasket over the hole where you want the faucet. Put the faucet base plate over the gasket and the faucet on the base plate with plumbing going down in the hole. Secure underneath with the spacers and nuts that came with the faucet assembly. It should have also come with a special wrench to use with it.
Step 7
Place the hose to the wand of the faucet through the part already attached and set the wand in. Screw the hose into its fitting under the faucet assembly. Attach lead weight to hose that is used to pull the hose in when you're not using it.
Step 8
Attach drain to sink. Place plumber's putty around the opening in the sink for the drain. Be generous with the putty, you can wipe away any excess that squeezes out. Place the strainer basket firmly into the putty. Under the sink at the drain, place rubber and cardboard gaskets, in that order, and then the retaining ring with the special wrench provided. Install the other side of the sink the same, if you have a double bowl. If the second bowl is being used with a garbage disposal, you will need a base plate after placing the gaskets and then a mounting bracket for the disposal. The retaining ring is last and screwed onto the mounting bracket that pulls the strainer tight into the putty. Clean away the excess putty in the sink.
Step 9
You can attach the garbage disposal now or wait until you have the sink in place. If you attach it now, you will need help getting the sink into the opening. If you wait, you will have to do it from inside the cabinet.
Step 10
Set up some wood blocks around the opening to set the sink on before installation. While the sink is on the blocks, apply a bead of caulk to the countertop where the sink will sit. Lower the sink onto the caulk and apply another bead around the outside of the lip where it meets the countertop. Smooth with a wet finger.
Step 11
Reinstall the plumbing under the sink. It is ready to hook back up to the P-trap by tightening the large plastic bolts. Reconnect the water hoses to the water lines at the valve and reconnect the disposal. Now you can turn the water and electricity back on and test. If the drain pipes leak at all, take them apart and use a little plumber's sealant on the edges of the pipes, then put them back together.
Resources
