How to Install a Kitchen Sink

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Unmistakably, the kitchen sink is an important component of any home. Further, flower vases are packed, Dishes are washed, and food is prepared and disposed of too. Ideally, the kitchen sink can be fitted below the counter or above the counter.

Sometimes, it can be installed as a seamless component of the counter itself. Either way, this article will guide you on how to install a kitchen sink hence enhancing your kitchen.

What are the requirements for installing a kitchen sink?

Tools

  • Pencil
  • Pipe wrench
  • Drill
  • Caulking gun
  • Screwdriver
  • Jigsaw
  • Hole cutter
  • Safety glasses
  • Measuring tape
  • Bucket or Bowl
  • Work gloves
  • Materials

  • Drain fitting
  • Template
  • P-trap
  • Plumber’s putty or silicone caulk
  • Waste pipes
  • Masking tape
  • Sink
  • Certainly, you would love to ensure that your sink squarely fits both your countertop and the cabinet under it.

    Also Read: Top Undermount Kitchen Sinks Reviews.

    So what should you do to achieve this?

    Clearly, the sure way to attain this is by taking some measurements. Suitably, measure the depth and the width of your lower cabinets prior to making a purchase.

    a) Site the opening appropriately

    Occasionally, sink manufacturers give a template. Appropriately, place the template so that it is in the center of the sink cabinet. Again, it should be at least 1 1/2 inches back right from the front edge of the countertop.

    In case your countertop is longer than 24 inches, put it considerably back, but not longer than 4 inches. Preferably, use the masking tape to tape the template then draw it with the pencil.

    Ordinarily, a sink measuring up to 22 inches deep will suitably fit in a standard 24-inch-deep cabinet. Actually, this is the case if you do not have a backsplash. Otherwise, your countertop will just accommodate a sink up to 20 1/2 inches deep. Undoubtedly, your options will increase in case you are replacing your countertop and cabinetry too.

    b) Removing the template

    Afterwards, remove the template and appropriately pierce a hole in each corner. Put the plate (saber-saw) in one of the holes and begin cutting along the interior of the line. Most importantly, be careful avoid the cutout snapping off and stumbling while you complete the cuts.

    Accordingly, screw a piece of wood from front to back on the tip of the cutout. As a matter of choice, it should be long enough to traverse the opening and some inches. Next, simply raise the cutout from your template.

    c) Install the faucet and the sink strainers

    How should you install your faucet? Well, it is quite a simple process.

    Installing the faucet

    ✔️ First, thread the sprayer through the body of the faucet.

    ✔️ Put the rubber gasket between the sink top and the bottom of the faucet to build a watertight seal.

    ✔️ Fit the mounting nut.

    ✔️ Attach the sprayer to the body of the faucet (In case you are installing a pullout sprayer).

    ✔️ Attach the counterweight

    ✔️ Hook up the cold and hot supply lines to the water equipment shutoff plugs beneath the sink

    Preferably, you should fix the faucet and the sink strainers when you can access the sink. Therefore, avoid fitting the pieces in from beneath after installing the sink. Subsequently, use a plumber’s putty or a bead of silicone caulk throughout the perimeter of the base sink’s lip. Indeed, this is important in creating a watertight coat between the counter top and the sink.

    d) Place the assemblage in the cutout

    Cautiously, flip the sink over and introduce into the opening, ensuring that the putty or the caulk is stable. Next, you can fix the kitchen sink. In case your sink is heavy, you may seek assistance lifting and fixing it. More so, consider putting some scraps of wood close to the edge of the opening to hold the sink. As a reminder, be careful not to hurt your fingers as you lower it into place.

    e) Tighten the base of the sink

    Quite a number of sinks are stretched down firmly against the counter top using distinctive mounting clips. Normally, this hook onto the lip under the sink and are bound with a nut driver or screwdriver.

    Carefully, follow the directions of your manufacturer for spacing the clips. Fasten the mounting clips may make the putty or caulk to squeeze out from beneath the sink lip. With that in mind, you will want to eliminate the excess using a clean and soft rag.

    f) Connect the P-trap

    Ultimately, to finish the installation of the kitchen sink, you need to connect the P-trap. Carefully, link the faucet lines to the cold and hot supply lines. Preferably, make use of elastic supply tubes and attach the waste line to the strainers. After this, you will need to:

    ✔️ Turn the water on at the valves (shut-off valves)

    ✔️ Separate the aerator from your faucet

    ✔️ To flush the system, turn on the water from your faucet

    ✔️ Finally, reinstall the aerator after running the water for about a minute

    Do you need a plumber to do the installation?

    Kitchen installations call for a lot of professionalism. There should be no room for errors, especially when dealing with the ones that will need to be permanent in the kitchen. It would be too costly to have to dismantle and redo the entire work because of errors of installation.

    To avoid this, therefore, I would recommend that you let a qualified plumber handle the work. There would be an exception, for example, if you have the technical knowledge and all the tools of work.

    The bottom line, however, is to use the plumber for such installations.

    Is there a standard cut for a kitchen sink?

    The best part about the kitchen sinks and cabinets is that they are of a standard size. On average, the cabinets measure about twenty-four inches deep, thirty-six to forty-two inches high and twenty-five and a quarter to twenty-six inches wide.

    If you purchase a standard-sized kitchen sink of twenty-two inches wide by thirty-three inches long, then it will fit a cabinet with these dimensions without any problem. On the other hand, if you have one with a wide base, then you will also need to have a large sink.

    How long does it take to install one?

    Many factors will determine the time that you will use to do the installation. If you will be doing it on your own, or if you employ a less-qualified plumber, then you will take longer to complete the task.

    However, if you engage the services of a professional plumber, then it can take a very short time to do the installation. On average, it can take up to two hours to complete the task.

    That can happen mostly if the installer has a lot of experience. It is important to note that time can vary from one job to another. The time is not standard for all the installations.

    How do you seal the sink to the countertop?

    You can either use silicone caulk or even the latex. You can either use the clear one or even the tinted caulk to match the color of the sink or the countertop.

    Use a minimum amount of caulk when sealing. To do that, you will require a tube that has a very small opening at the tip. It helps to prevent the excessive use of the caulk.

    How far should you install the kitchen sink from the wall?

    Having a sink too close to the wall is not a wise idea. That is because water will keep on splashing to the wall, and hence damaging it in the long run.

    I would recommend a distance of between three to five inches between the sink and the wall. That will always leave a one-inch rim around the front of the sink.

    When water keeps on splashing to the wall, it will cause the painting to come off or even change the color of the pain. The wall will then develop molds, and that is not healthy for your kitchen. The longer the distance it is from the wall, the better it is for your wall!

    Conclusion

    Ideally, you can install a kitchen sink yourself. However, getting a professional to do it is recommended. This will make sure that the sink is perfectly supported and sealed to avoid leaks.

    Additionally, it will stop from possibly collapsing beneath the weight hefty load of dishes. While you might not use all the requirements for installing your sink, it is good to always avail them.

    Read more: Touchless Kitchen Faucet Reviews

    6 thoughts on “How to Install a Kitchen Sink”

    1. I always spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles or reviews daily along with a cup of coffee.

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