How to Replace and Install an Undermount Kitchen Sink
I was walking around IKEA with my dad a couple of weeks ago and I mentioned to him as we walked along the kitchen isles that I would love to be able to replace my double basin kitchen sink to a single basin. When we first moved into this house, I had a contractor come in to see if this was something that we could afford to do. But when he insisted that I would have to replace my countertops we gave up on the idea.
After further discussion with dad, we decided that we were going to attempt to REMOVE my existing kitchen sink WITHOUT replacing our granite counters. The more we talked it through, the more we became convinced that this was something we could do because undermount sinks are generally held in place with mounting clips that are screwed directly onto the countertops.
My dad and I came home and measured our current countertop hole and cabinet so I knew what dimensions the new kitchen sink would have to be.
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Off to the internet I went with my dimensions in hand. I tried to find a sink that would fit perfectly in our current hole. We landed on this sink from Home Depot and after having it installed for about 2 weeks, we couldn’t be more pleased. Such a game changer for us to have a single basin sink!
Ready to remove your sink? Here is what to look for BEFORE you start:
Before you do any type of work or purchase a new sink, take a look at your current sink from underneath. Make sure that the sink is installed on the counter, not a wood surface, like plywood. Also, look for the mounting clips. Here’s what I saw when I checked mine:
Check your mounting clips to make sure you will be able to reach them. We had a to use an extender with our rachet.
Once you’ve confirmed that the sink is mounted directly onto the counter, you are ready to start removing the old sink.
*We are not plumbers. These steps are what worked for us. If you don’t feel comfortable following these steps, contact a plumber.
Materials:
Rachet Set
Flat head screw driver
Hammer
Metal Spatula
Plumber’s Putty
Silicone
Steps:
1. Disconnect all plumbing. *Tip: take a picture of the piping before you disconnect so you can put it back together when done.
2. Using your rachet, remove all of the mounting clips except two on opposite directions.
3. Now we are going to remove the sink from the granite. What ended up working for us is using a flat head screw driver and a hammer, we gently tapped the screw driver in making sure not to lift up the screw driver up or down so that our granite countertops wouldn’t crack. We gently went around the sink, breaking the silicone seal little by little.
Gently tap the screwdriver with the hammer all around the sink.
4. Once the sink was loosened on one side, I was able to stick a metal spatula to get it fully detached from the counter. You are basically trying to loosen the silicone from the sink. Work your way slowly around the sink. This step takes patience - take your time!
It’s out!
5. When the sink has been fully removed, you have to clean the underside of the counter by removing all the old silicone. What worked best for us was a metal spatula and a wire brush. We made sure to take our time and clean the counter of any old silicone so when we installed the new sink, the new silicone stick directly to the counter and not old silicone.
6. Now you are ready to install the new sink! This is where all your measuring before removing the old one will pay off. Getting the right size sink will make this process painless. Start by dry fitting the sink in place. We were able to lower the sink from the top of the counter rather than from going under the cabinet.
Making sure the faucet hole cleared the sink.
7. Once you’ve confirmed the sink fits, place a bead of silicone all along the outer rim of the sink.
It fits!
8. Hold the sink up to the counter and place something underneath to help you hold it up. We used 2X4’s cut to size on either side to help us hold our sink in place.
9. Once the sink is in place, install the mounting clips to hold the sink in place.
10. Reattach plumbing.
Leave me a comment below and tell me if your are team single or double basin in the kitchen sink?
