In every household, a kitchen sink is a must-have element. You prepare food, wash dishes, dispose of food, and fill the flower vases in the kitchen sink. So when the kitchen sink is not properly functioning, the kitchen tasks become stressful to handle – and this calls for quick kitchen sink replacement.
Do you know how to replace a kitchen sink? It is an ABC thing. If you’re the DIY type, you don’t need a professional plumber to do it for you. With the right tools and equipment, you’re set to go.
How Long Does it Take to Replace a Kitchen Sink?
Replacing a standard kitchen sink with dimensions of 80cm x 50cm x 20cm can take a professional installer around 2 hours. However, some factors determine how long it would take you to replace a kitchen sink, like, whether you’d also need to replace the pipes, how easy it is to remove the old sink, and the amount of work you need to do on the hole.
How Long Does a Bathroom Sink Last?
A kitchen sink’s lifespan depends on the type of material it’s made from. For instance, a kitchen sink made of acrylic can last more than 50 years. Enamel kitchen sinks last over a decade, while vessel sinks made from glass, porcelain, or copper can last around 20 years.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Kitchen Sink?
The cost of installing a kitchen sink varies depending on the country you live in. When installing a new sink, the most important factors to consider are the available space and whether or not your new sink will interfere with your countertop. Popular solutions, such as farmhouse, apron-style, or under-mount sinks, can be expensive because they necessitate either a countertop replacement or extensive repairs.
As with any project, kitchen sink installation cost varies based on,
- The sink style you select.
- Items like connectors, fittings, and any required mounting hardware.
Furthermore, you can also use the calculators on Gharpedia to calculate the cost.
How to Replace a Kitchen Sink?
Kitchen sink replacement has two tasks: First, remove the old kitchen sink, and then install a new one. Let us learn the step-by-step procedure for kitchen sink replacement.
How to Remove Old Kitchen Sink?
When replacing a kitchen sink, the first step should be removing the old one. Ensure that you handle it cautiously to avoid damaging the new sink or countertop. Here are the kitchen sink removal tools you’d need.
Kitchen Sink Removal Tools
- An old towel and a bucket
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver
- Stanley knife
- Pliers
Instructions for Removing a Kitchen Sink
Step 1: Turn the Water Off, Disconnect the Lines of Supply
- To remove the sink, first stop the supply of both hot and cold water to the sink. Then, using an adjustable wrench, disconnect the drain pipe and supply lines that connect to the house drainage system.
Step 2: Drain off the Water Remaining in Pipes
- If there was some water left in the pipes, drain them well, place a bucket underneath the sink, and allow the water to run. Turn the water and remove the bucket after ensuring that all water has been drained.
Step 3: Detach the Dishwasher and the Garbage Disposal Unit
- If you’ve got a dishwasher or garbage disposal under the sink, disconnect them. Also, disconnect the water filtration system, if you have one. But ensure that you check the instructions before you disconnect them.
- Note that when you’re disconnecting either of the two appliances, make sure you keep a rag and a bucket nearby. This will be of help in case of any leaks.
Step 4: Detach the P-trap Pipes and the Drain Pipes
- If you have not yet detached the p-trap pipe and the drainpipe, this is the right moment. How? Disconnect the drain pipe and the p-trap pipes from under the sink, and ensure that you’ve removed any other part of the kitchen sink before replacing it.
Furthermore, you can learn about the P-trap replacement process by clicking on the following link:
Step 5: Remove the Metal Clips
- Unscrew the metal clips. Can you see them? If not, check under the sink; they’re located there for both under mount and top sinks. After you’ve removed them, cut the caulk, which is situated differently depending on the sink type.
- Caulk is a waterproof filler and sealant in one. In top-mounted sinks, it’s located on top where the sink meets the counter, while in under-mount sinks, it’s underneath the sink where there are metal clips.
Step 6: Scrape off the Caulk
- Are you through with cutting the caulk? Now take out the sink and scrape any remaining caulk off. Then, clean the workshop.
What are the Steps for Installing a Kitchen Sink?
Kitchen sink installation seems to be a daunting task. However, if DIY is your thing, it’s just a breeze. Below is a detailed guide that will take you through the process step by step. But, first, let’s check the tools and equipment you’d need.
Tools and Equipment You’d Need for New Sink Installation
- Adjustable wrench
- Pencil
- Jigsaw
- Waterproof sealant
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper
- Plumber’s tape
- Drill (+15/10mm Drill and Bits)
Instructions for Installing a New Kitchen Sink
Step 1: Fit Your New Sink In
- Turn the top-mounting sink over, and in the broader part, apply the caulk.
- Then flip it over and carefully place it in the hole; remove any excess caulking.
- For the under-mount sink, do the same. But add the caulk on the sink’s top and evenly spread it around the top. Then place the sink underneath the countertop. As the sink dries, use something to support the base.
Note: Water-resistant silicone caulk would go a long way for fitting the sink irrespective of the model.
Step 2: Connect the Metal Sink Clips
- Now, reattach the metal sink clips you had removed from the old sink.
- Fit the kitchen sink and tighten it well.
- After fitting the sink, install the tap.
Step 3: Seal the Drain Strainer
- To fix the new drain strainer, you’d need to use plumber’s putty.
- Make it more malleable by rolling it with your fingers.
- The, spread it evenly around the rim.
- Now, put the filter and fasten the drain in place.
- Scrape the excess putty off using a cutting utensil.
Step 4: Reconnect the Water Supply Lines
- Reconnect the cold and hot water supply lines to the new tap.
- Over each line, use the metal connectors and then plug the faucet on the other end of the connectors.
- Using a wrench, tighten the fastener; be cautious not to overwork it.
Step 5: Install the Dishwasher and a Garbage Disposal Unit
- Here, you’d need a dishwasher and garbage unit manual to re-install the dishwasher and garbage unit; with the manual, the process would be pretty straightforward.
- Connect the hose of a dishwasher to the small spout on the garbage disposal unit and hold it in place using a hose clamp.
You can go here to learn about installing a dishwasher:
Step 6: Attach the Pipes and Test for Leaks
- After installing the garbage disposal unit, ensure that the sink drainpipe goes on the unit side. However, if you haven’t installed it, the drainpipe should run from the main drain to the drain.
- Now fasten the pipes, but avoid overdoing it.
- Turn the water supply on to test for leaks; place a bucket under the sink and pipes to catch any leaks.
Now can you see how easy it is to replace a kitchen sink? If you’ve followed the above definitive guide, you can attest that installing a kitchen sink is an easy task.
Moreover, you can find more Do It Yourself projects here –
How To Install A Kitchen Sink Drain?| DIY Guide For You!
DIY Guide to Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors with Glass Inserts
Image Courtesy: Image 6, Image 9
Author Bio
Fidelis Kinai – Fidelis Muti possess a bachelor’s in English and Journalism and have over four years of professional experienced writing and proofreading materials for print and online platforms, including newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, and social media accounts. He also have over three years of experience as a marketing assistant and social media manager.
He is versatile and diligent and will produce exemplary content within time to meet your deadline.
He can deliver most work within 2-3 days; rush orders are accepted whenever possible. He is based in the Kenya but travel often and work for clients all over the world.