We all know how vital kitchen sinks are and how important it is to install them properly without creating any mistakes. Any minor issue can result in leakage leading to a mess in the kitchen. It helps you smooth out your process of washing utensils, vegetables, etc. It also helps you enhance your kitchen’s design and is one of the essential elements to provide solid value to your kitchen. From several designs, adding cabinets, laminating the area, using fancy tiles, or different taps have always been in culture to refresh the design of your kitchen sink area. But the real question is how you can install this sink by yourself.
In this article, we will learn more about installing the kitchen sink in simple steps without creating any mistakes. So, read this article carefully!
How Easy is it to Install a Kitchen Sink?
A shiny sink with a new faucet, a fancy countertop, etc., is one of the topmost desires of every house owner to change the kitchen’s entire look. Installing a new sink or a faucet in the kitchen is relatively easy and will take very little time. You just need to know about simple fittings, or you need to screw them properly or put them together, and you are all done with your task!
Although it is more complex than we make it sound, it is much easier to use! But if you hire a plumber for such an easy task it will cost you more than 300 dollars, but you can do it yourself without any professional help. However, the cost also varies according to the brand, type, and material you use. We hope you have already bought a kitchen sink that matches your design, budget, etc. Installing a new kitchen sink will take around 4 to 6 hours.
Furthermore, make sure you are locating every part of the sink properly to make a connection with the drainage system. Identify the tailpiece of the sink and the waste line. Knowing the parts of the sink will always be an advantage for you, but if you don’t, don’t worry; we will list everything below in the next section.
Installing the Kitchen Sink in 7 Simple Steps
Installing the kitchen sink is easy for someone with basic knowledge of the plumbing system and the sink layout. But don’t worry. We will start by creating a layout of the sink part, so you don’t have to worry. Just follow the below-listed steps:
Step 1: Marking the Sink Layout
You can use tape to outline the location/dimensions of the sink. Make sure you use a proper scale to mark the edges of the center of the sink. A 2-inch of tape would be the most appropriate to outline every dimension of the sink and ensure you align the marks correctly. You should measure the width and breadth and ensure space between the back and front edges and the standing area of the sink. Check the lines again and again, to mark the layout perfectly. Connect all the marks, and give it a rectangular outline so it would be easy to drain a whole. The block or cabinet should be appropriate and wider enough to drill a hole.
Step 2: Cutting the Sink Opening
Once you finish marking, it is time to cut the lines with the appropriate equipment. You can use a jigsaw blade to perform this, as it will help you to cut the lines properly without creating any mess or issue with the dimensions.
Then, cut the edges properly and remove the cutout piece. As a test, check the sink countertop to make an appropriate fit. You can also adjust the hole by trimming to install a kitchen faucet.
Step 3: Installing a Kitchen Faucet
Once you have drilled a hole in a padded counter, ensure you correctly fit the perfect supply tubing through the basket. Use a tailpiece as well, which will help you to see the faucet correctly without creating any leakage once you open the tap. Now check by applying force to see if it can rotate or complete an entire Arc. If it is, it is a perfect time to tighten the mounting nuts.
Step 4: Attaching the Strainer with the Help of Plumbers’ Putty
As you have noticed in step two, we have already placed the sink in its place while we were checking the dimensions of the sink opening. So, properly place it again if you have removed it. Place the strainer in the sink, and use putty to tighten it correctly. Use your hands to place the strainer appropriately while putting the putty. Now properly join the strainer with the drainage pipes, and ensure you do not overtight or under-tighten it. Fit the gasket properly to avoid any kind of leakage afterward.
Step 5: Setting the Sink Properly and Connect the Water Supply
Now we are done with 90% of the task, and all we have to do is check whether there is water leakage. Check that all the sink parts are correctly attached to the countertop. Now with the help of silicon caulk, squeeze it properly around the underside of the sink so that it wouldn’t come out or would fit the hole properly.
Step 6: Connect the Drain Pipes
To facilitate the water supply, now properly attach the drain pipes. Use the PVC pipe, as they will be long lasting, budget-friendly, and perform that task well. You can also use the trap adaptor to prevent the sewage line from solid dirt or contaminants. If the pipe doesn’t fit properly, use a PVC primer to make an appropriate fit and let it dry. After it has been dried up, remove the excess putty and tighten the hose clamp.
Step 7: Perform a Run Test
To check if everything is fitted well, check the nuts properly. Make sure that you are not over-tightening it. Turn on the water supply and check if there are any leakage issues. Leave the tap open for 1 minute. If there is no leakage, you are done with your task. You can also check this using a paper towel by placing them nearby the nuts or the pipes. It will help you predict whether all the work was done OK.
We hope you will follow all the steps mentioned and follow them properly to install the sink without any issues. Make sure that you are using good company pipes and the sink so that it would be long-lasting and you will not have to reinstall it again or change it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to place the towel or tissue paper on the pipe or nearby the nut for several days, even after installing the kitchen sink?
Checking the leakage in the initial days of the pipe is very important, but it is tough to predict if it leaks in 1-2 hrs. That is why we always recommend you place the kitchen towel or the tissue paper for a few days to get an idea and rectify the mistakes as soon as possible.
Shall I check the dimensions before buying a new Kitchen sink?
Yes, checking the dimensions of the new Kitchen Sink is essential if you have already drilled a block section in the kitchen. But if you have not, then any dimension sink is appropriate as long as it is smaller than the dimensions of the cabinets in your kitchen. But ensure you have always matched the dimension of the kitchen sink before cutting the cabinets.
Shall I ask for professional help if I don’t know any kitchen sink parts?
You can ask for professional help if you need to learn about parts of the plumbing system or the kitchen sink. However, it may cost you around $30 to $50 to hire professional help.
Conclusion
Kitchen Sink is one of the essential elements in a kitchen that not only ease out the work but also helps enhance the look of your kitchen. Installing a kitchen is relatively easy and can be done in simple steps. We have discussed all the steps in this article and every detail. We hope you will have no problem installing a kitchen sink yourself after this. Only some people without information about the sink or plumbing system may require professional help, as they will likely commit mistakes. Ensure you perform every task carefully to install the kitchen sink properly. We hope that this article has helped you!