What is a Kitchen Sink?
A kitchen sink is a vital component of any household, and whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or just replacing an old sink, installing a new one can be a rewarding and relatively straightforward project. Installing a new kitchen sink is the best way to update the look of an outdated kitchen. While so many parts in kitchen shape have remained common throughout the years, others have lost their luster. This article will guide kitchen sink installation, material type, style, and size guide.
Kitchen Sink Styles
Kitchen sinks come in several styles and choices. Installation is an aspect to keep in mind when checking at different sinks.
Undermount kitchen sinks
Undermount kitchen sinks are placed below the countertop, making it easy to move from the countertop to the sink. They don’t get dust and dirt on the seal above the counter like drop-in sinks do. Installation can be a little more expensive. This kind of sink works best with granite and solid surfaces because the edge of the countertop needs to be waterproof.
Advantages
With an undermount sink, you can use a sponge to sweep water and food directly into the sink from the countertop. The rims on these sinks don’t get in the way, which makes clean up. Most of the time, undermount sinks are better quality than upper-mount sinks.
Drop-in sinks
Drop-in sinks are also a popular type of sink. As the name suggests, the sink fits into a hole in the countertop, and the edge of the sink sits on the countertop. Drop-in sinks are easy to install and cost less than under-mount sinks. However, they don’t have the sleek look of an undermount sink.
Pros:
It doesn’t require any special skills for installation
Most people who do their work can make sink cut-outs in laminate and even solid surfaces.
Apron-front or farmhouse sinks
The apron-front sink, a farmhouse sink, has become famous for kitchens everywhere. They become the room’s center point when installed just beneath a kitchen window. Remember several requirements during installation, and you might need a particular base cabinet. When buying a sink, it’s essential to consider your installation preferences and the basin structure.
Pros:
- The large size of these sinks makes it easier to clean large food dishes and casseroles.
- Since there is less space between the sink and the corner of the counter, the person using the sink can get closer to the sink and avoid getting fatigued.
Double basins sink
Dual basins, the most common kitchen sink arrangement, permit washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other. Washing, rinsing, and drainage are all handled by double basin sinks, which are flexible and multifunctional.
Useful in households without dishwashers.
Multi-purpose and highly flexible.
Single-basin sinks
Single-basin sinks are another option. They are popular and make it easy to soak and scrub big roasting pans and plates. Some kitchen sinks even have a choice of three basins. The third bowl is usually smaller than the other two. However, it can help drain pasta and rinse produce when the other two basins are already used.
Pros:
- The single basin is big enough to wash items like casseroles and cookie sheets. • Single basins are great for big houses with many people and busy kitchens.
- A single bowl is best if you like the look of an apron sink.
How to Install Kitchen Sink?
Depending on the current layout of your sink, starting a project like replacing your kitchen sink can quickly become complicated. Connecting the drainpipe to the new sink drain, which may not always align with the old sink drain, is one of the more challenging aspects of this project. Plan for the unusual by measuring the sink, capturing the setup (above and below the counter), and identifying a replacement that precisely matches the current space and requirements for plumbing. Also, determine if you have a drop-in or undermount sink and the type of countertop you have (and whether you must cut off the countertop to install the new sink).
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Bucket
- Channel locks
- Utility knife
- Bar clamp
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Jigsaw
- Caulking gun
Materials
- 2×4 board
- Sink clips
- Silicone caulk
- Plumbers putty
- Steps to Install Kitchen Sink
Turn off the Water Supply Valves
Remove all items beneath the sink and find the hot and cold water supply lines serving the kitchen faucet. Close the hot and cold water isolation valves and open the kitchen sink’s inlet to drain any remaining water. If your kitchen faucet does not have isolation valves on the hot and cold water lines, you must find the primary shutoff valve that controls the water flow into the house. This valve lies where the primary water line enters the house. Look for this valve in the cellar or crawlspace. If you cannot find it, contact your local water utility company or contact a plumber to shut off the water from the outside of your home.
Disconnect the Supply and Drain Lines
- Use a set of channel locks to loose the nut on the tap that holds the hot water line.
- Some water will still be in the pipes, so put a bucket under the sink and line it up with the hot and cold water lines.
- Loosen the nuts holding the drainpipe and P-trap together, pull them apart, and set them aside. Put a bucket under the drains because they will probably leak.
- Label parts you take apart so they are easy to install again
- The drain line for the dishwasher usually goes to the drain pipe under the sink. It will free the drainpipe and give you additional space under the sink if you disconnect it.
Pro Tip
At this stage, if you have a garbage disposal, turn it off and unplug it. Follow the steps given by the manufacturer to take out the garbage disposal unit safely.
Cut the Caulk Bordering the Sink
- Cut the caulk on the sink with a utility knife to remove the kitchen sink from the counter.
- Slide the blade under the edge of the sink. Ensure the blade is flat so it doesn’t cut into the tabletop.
- Break the seal between the sink and the counter by cutting through the caulk.
- If you have an under-mount sink, you need a 2×4 board longer than the wide sink. Put the board over the sink, then run a bar clamp through the drain. Secure one end of the clamp to the 2×4 and the other to the drain.
- If your sink has a second drain, use a second clamp to keep it from dropping when you cut through the sealing seal.
- Loosen or Disconnect the Clips Beneath the Sink
- The caulking is not the only thing holding the sink to the countertop, so you must crawl underneath the sink and locate the sink clamps along the sink’s edges.
- Loosen the clips with a screwdriver or a wrench, enabling them to pivot. If the fixings cannot pivot, remove them altogether.
- Retain any clips in good condition, but replace any clips that exhibit severe damage indications, such as cracking, rusting, or a significant loss of rigidity.
Remove the Old Sink
- If you have a drop-in sink that rests on top of the counter, one person should press up on the sink from underneath, while another should grasp the sink from above. Remove the outdated sink from use.
- If you have an under-mount sink, untie the clamps holding it to the counter and carefully lower it.
- Slide the sink out of the compartment beneath the sink and set it aside.
Measure the Opening in the Countertop
After removing the old kitchen sink, measure the countertop aperture for the new sink. Before caulking the new sink to the countertop, test its fit by inserting it into the old sink’s cavity.
If it does not fit comfortably, trim the countertop with a jigsaw to accommodate a larger basin. However, a lesser sink should be returned to the store and substituted with a more suitable product.
- Insert and Caulk the New Sink
- After ensuring the sink fits properly, apply silicone caulk to the perimeter.
- For a drop-in sink, apply caulk to the perimeter of the underside of the sink, then gingerly lower it into the opening and wipe away any surplus caulk with a cloth.
- For an under-mount sink, the sealant must be applied to the upper perimeter of the sink.
- Lift the sink into position after sliding it into the cabinet. You or an assistant must hold the sink while the clamps are secured to the countertop.
- It is also advisable to temporarily reinstall the 2×4 and bar clamps to ensure the caulk forms a firm closure between the sink and counter.
Secure the Sink with Clips
The sink must be secured to the countertop by tightening the sink clamps. This process should be completed during the previous stage; drop-in sinks can be completed for under-mount sinks.
- Ensure adequate support by replacing any rusted or severely worn sink clips.
- The reinstallation process is similar, even if you are installing a new faucet.
- You must route the faucet’s lines through the basin.
- Finally, attach the faucet to the sink using washers and bolts.
- Have a second person hold the faucet in place while you secure the nuts for the best fit.
- Link the hot and cold water supply lines to the faucet using the channel locks, but do not switch on the water because there is nowhere to go other than the under-sink cabinet.
- Reinstall the Faucet and Water Supply Lines
- The step for reinstalling the faucet is similar, even if you are installing a new faucet.
- You are required to run the faucet lines through the sink.
- Secure the faucet to the sink with nuts and washers.
- For the best fit, have a second person grip the faucet while you tighten the nuts.
- Link the hot and cold water supply lines to the faucet with your pair of channel locks, but ensure that you don’t turn the water on to the faucet because the water currently moves except into the under-sink cabinet.
Install and Seal the Drain Strainer
- Apply the plumber’s putty to the drain strainer’s underside, making sure there are no openings that could lead to future leakage.
- Press the strainer into the drain, then slide the rubber drain strainer gasket and connector over the strainer’s bottom from beneath the sink.
- Attach the strainer to the sink by tightening the nut, and then remove any excess plumber’s putty from the sides of the drain.
- Reconnect the Drainpipes and Appliances
- Realign and connect the sink’s drainpipe and P-trap. Typically, you can hand-tighten plastic connections, but you may need to use a set of channel locks to prevent leakage.
- If you have a sewage disposal or dishwasher, reconnect the drain lines for these appliances at this point.
- Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safely reinstalling your garbage disposal.
Turn on the Water and Test for Leaks
The last step is to turn on the hot and cold water valves, restoring the water flow to the faucet. Some air will be pushed out of the faucet, so be ready for it to spit and sputter for a few seconds before a steady flow of water returns. However, permit the water to move and check for leaks in the faucet, the water lines, the drain lines, and the drain strainer. If there aren’t any leaks, turn off the water and clean up your tools and anything else in the way. Loose fittings can cause leaks, so tighten the fittings on the water supply and drain lines. If the leak keeps happening, you might have to change the parts. This can happen if the plumbing is old and hasn’t been fixed in years. If this is the case in your kitchen, turn the power back on to the garbage disposal.
- Tips for Installing a Kitchen Sink
- Know the parts of a sink before you start this task so you can follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
- Before you install the sink, check to see if your pipes are rusted and need to be replaced.
- Check if the countertops have water damage around the old rim or sink hole that could prevent installing a new kitchen sink.
- Consider the materials you connect when connecting the new sink drain to the drainpipe. You may need a unique coupling or adapter to connect a plastic sink drain to a metal drainpipe.
Materials Type for Kitchen Sinks
Kitchen sinks come in many different materials, like metal and stone. The best material for your kitchen sink will rely on how much money you want to spend, how you prefer to maintain your sink, and the style of your kitchen.
- Stainless steel kitchen sink
One of the most popular choices is a stainless steel kitchen sink. The material continues to become more excellent and upgraded. The newer 16-gauge and 18-gauge sinks are more significant and less noisy than the cheaper sinks they replaced. Stainless steel sinks have a certain amount of chromium and nickel in them. This is shown by a number like 18/10, meaning there is 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel in the sink. The metal gives it a rich glow, making it less likely to corrode. The finish can be as shiny as a mirror or as drab as satin. Therefore, it is widely used in a variety of stainless steel products, in addition to the kitchen sink, as well as tableware, hoses, and smart door lock shells. Made of stainless steel, kitchen sinks are popular because they are cheap, last for many years, and are easy to clean. But they can get scratched, and water spots, and the cheaper sinks can sometimes make more noise when items are put in them.
- Cast-iron kitchen sinks
Cast-iron kitchen sinks are made of a highly durable material that is enamel-fired on an iron form. These long-lasting sinks reduce noise and vibrations more than others. They can be heavy to install. Cast-iron sinks also come in many different colors, which is a benefit.
- Composite sinks
Quartz, granite, or other materials can be mixed with an acrylic- or polyester-resin base to make composite sinks. They usually have flecks of color, don’t stain or scratch easily, and are easy to clean. They can be pricey.
- Ceramic
Choose a ceramic kitchen sink if you’re making a classic or shaker-style kitchen. These sinks are strong, stylish, easy to clean, immune to heat, and long-lasting. It doesn’t happen often, but they can break if you drop something huge on them. But if you drop a glass, mug, or other fragile item in a ceramic sink, it’s more likely to break than in a stainless steel sink.
A standard kitchen sink is 22 inches wide, measured from the front, where you would stand to wash up, to the back, closest to the kitchen wall. This is because the standard depth of kitchen base units is 24 inches, making it easy for the sink to fit inside the frame. Kitchen sinks are also 20 inches wide, but these are less popular.
- Kitchen Sink Depth
A kitchen sink depth must be at least 7.25 inches. If your kitchen sink is any shallower, you will quickly run out of space for your dishes. The standard depth is between 8 and 10 inches, with 10 inches providing ample space for washing larger dishes without water splattering onto the countertops.
- Kitchen Sink Length
The standard length is 33 inches. However, the length of a kitchen sink changes depending on whether you have one bowl or two and the design you opt for.
- Kitchen Sink Dimensions
The diagram below illustrates the kitchen sink dimensions, including average single-bowl sin dimensions, standard kitchen sink sizes, and average double-bowl sink dimensions.
- Standard Sink
Most commercial kitchen sinks with one bowl will be either 33 inches or 36 inches long. These are the standard lengths for kitchen sinks because they must fit into the sink base unit, which is also usually a standard size.
The standard 22 by 33-inch sinks (with one or two bowls) are easy to find on the market. A 36-inch-long sink, on the other hand, will take up all of the space over the top of the base unit.
- Average Single Sink Dimensions
Not everyone has a sufficient size kitchen, and many people prefer a more compact one-bowl kitchen that is usually 28 to 30 inches long, 19 to 20 inches wide, and 7.25 to 8 inches deep.
- Average Double Sink Dimensions
Commercial sinks with two bowls can reach up to 48 inches, so they must fit in a double-sink kitchen unit. But most types with double bowls also come in lengths ranging from 30 to 48 inches.
What Issue did We Resolve in the article?
Kitchen sink installation might be tricky if you don’t have the necessary equipment or experience, but it’s not impossible. In this tutorial, I have demonstrated how to install a kitchen sink properly. I also describe its dimensions and materials in detail to ensure you have all the knowledge you need before purchasing and installing a kitchen sink.