How to Fit a Kitchen Sink In Your New Home
Who doesn’t want to clean up after a big dinner with a spacious sink? It is one of the most practical remodel/ investments you can commit to in your new home, right next to getting plenty of worktop space. It can speed up your meal preps by washing fruit and veg all at once and help with cleanups by being able to place all your plates and utensils in it. With decent water pressure, your kitchen sink can play an integral role in a seamless cooking experience. Read more about how to deal with low water pressure here.
There are several things you have to pay attention to when fitting a new kitchen sink: the size, depth, shape, material, and colour. If you want to keep the project on a tight budget, it is best to work with what you already have like getting something in a similar size or shape with the cut-out on your worktop. Before you replace the kitchen sink, it is best to learn about the process. Plumbingforce has a step-by-step guide and FAQs below:
Can You Install A Sink Yourself?
Installing your kitchen sink–taps and all – is one of the few things you can do yourself in a kitchen remodel. As long as you are using the existing pipework done by a professional plumber, it’s fairly simple. All you need to do is get the right tools and materials and get to work!
Before you try to DIY fitting a kitchen sink, take note that there is a lot of manual labour involved. If you are new to home improvement projects, it is definitely not a one-person job, get a partner to help you.
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If you are unsure about the quality of your instalment, you can contact Plumbingforce and have a local plumber come in and take over. With our extensive years of experience, we can guarantee you’ll have a well-fitted kitchen sink in no time.
How Much Does It Cost To Fit A Kitchen Sink In The UK?
The final cost of replacing your kitchen sink may vary. It can depend on the model of your sink, the hourly rate of your plumber, and extra tasks like cutting the worktop for a larger sink.
For DIY fittings, you only have to consider the material costs. There are so many different types of sinks, so this can be the most expensive part. You can take your pick from stainless steel, ceramic, porcelain, composite, stone, and many others. A rough estimate for a small, affordable, stainless steel sink is around £60, and a large, stylish, ceramic sink is around £1,500. It really depends on your personal preferences. Some tiny houses opt to use a £2 salad bowl to create their sink, while other homeowners might commission a custom design that can go beyond £1,500.
Besides a sink replacement, you will also need some plumber’s putty that retails around £7.50-£10 and caulk that retails at £7-£10. Without counting your labour, the minimum amount for DIY-ing your replacement is around £74.50.
For fitting a kitchen sink with professionals like Plumbingforce, you have to get your own sink and include the labour cost. The final bill is usually 60% towards materials and 40% towards labour. With a regular sink model, it can cost around £375 to £500. If you don’t know how to fit a kitchen sink, working with Plumbingforce can take away the stress and hassle of learning on the job.
Weigh the pros and cons of each before selecting your process. While hiring a professional plumber cost more than DIY, it takes away the inconvenience of doing the work yourself. You can also rest assured that your kitchen sink will be installed properly on the first try.
Step-By-Step Guide For Fitting A New Sink
If you are up to doing the task on your own, here is a step-by-step guide for how to fit a kitchen sink:
Prepare Your Materials
Regardless of what kind of sink you have, top-mount, under-mount, or flush-mount, you’ll need the same materials to replace a kitchen sink:
- Bucket
- Towel and rags
- Eye protection
- Adjustable spanner/wrench
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife/ box cutter
- Plumber’s putty
- Caulk/ Silicone sealant
- Sink
- Sink fixtures
If you have an under-mount, you’ll need to add a long piece of wood that spans the entire sink, a couple of clamps, and a level. You’ll need these items to help support your sink while you work below it.
Find A Sink Replacement
When you are looking for a new sink, you’ll need to try to get one in a similar shape and size, so you don’t have to replace or adjust your kitchen worktop to get a perfect fit. Get a tape measure and take down the rough dimensions before shopping. When you are looking for a replacement, try to get a new one that is well-designed and practical.
Remove The Old Sink
Start your replacement by removing your old sink. For specific models, you may need to get an extra pair of hands since ceramic, porcelain, stone, and composite sinks are quite heavy, and it can be dangerous to do it on your own. If you have an under-mount sink, you need to get family or friends to help.
Disconnect The Water and Electricity
If you have a dishwasher or garbage disposal, unplug them to avoid accidents. You can then take your adjustable spanner and disconnect your water supply under the sink. To make sure that there is no more water, turn on your taps, both hot and cold, and wait for the water to drain completely.
Remove The Drain Pipe
Use your adjustable spanner or vice grip to remove the drain pipe. Keep a bucket underneath the pipe and lay down a couple of towels to collect excess water.
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Cut Through The Caulk
Use your utility knife or a box cutter and cut through the caulk that seals your sink. If you have a top-mount sink, run your knife around the edges and make sure you don’t damage your worktop. If you have an under-mount sink, put on your protective eye gear and a mask and work on removing the caulk on the underside. Be careful as you might scratch your sink.
Detach The Screws Under The Sink
To completely detach your sink from your worktop, use your screwdriver and take out the remaining screws or clips. If you have a top-mount sink, you can do this alone. However, with under-mount sinks, the unit might fall on you while you take out the screws. It’s best to have an assistant for this type of work.
When you take out the sink, place it in a safe area. If you have a stainless steel model, you can place them on your worktop, but for heavy units, it might be best to settle them on the floor.
Clean Up Any Excess From Your Worktop
After you carefully take out your old sink and set it aside, it is time to clean your worktop. You may have bits of caulk sticking out here and there. You can take them out with a paint scraper or a utility knife. Then wipe it down with a damp scouring pad to make sure you get all the bits and pieces.
Test The Fit Of Your New Sink
Before you commit to your new sink, test it out first and see if it fits. If you want to install a larger sink, hire trade workers to come and cut your worktop down to size so your new sink can snugly fit on your kitchen worktop.
Install Your Taps and Sink Fixtures
Follow the sink’s manufacturer’s instructions and install your taps and sink drainer. Add a little bit of plumber’s putty with your drain strainer to ensure that it is a tight fit. You don’t want that to leak in the long run. Even a microleak can transform into a huge problem like a house flood.
Seal It With Caulk
After you have your kitchen sink in order, add a bit of caulk/silicone sealant and leave it to dry. Sealing your sink with caulk may vary depending on your model. For top-mount and flush-mount sinks, turn your sink upside down and apply your sealant on the underside then lower it to your kitchen worktop.
For under-mount sinks, add caulk on the top perimeter, and push it from under the worktop. To get the best seal, you can use your clamps and use it to secure your sink as the caulk dries.
Attach The Clips
Attach or screw on the additional clips to keep your sink in place. Make sure they are nice and tight to keep it secure. If your old screws and clips are rusty, replace them to ensure the best results.
Reinstall The Rest
When your new sink is in place, it is time to get the other features in order. Connect your taps to your water supply line, your hot and cold water lines correctly correspond with their taps. Add your garbage disposal and dishwasher lines if you have them and work with your manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation.
Use your adjustable spanner to secure your drain pipe. Make sure everything is nice and tight before testing your new sink. Learn how to avoid leaky taps here.
When Should You Call A Professional Plumber?
When you carefully follow the step-by-step guide, you successfully know how to fit a kitchen sink by yourself. However, when it comes to plumbing, the kitchen sink can be tricky. You don’t want to mess with the water supply and make mistakes that might warrant a new system.
When you are experiencing leaks, there are too many possible sources, so it is best to call Plumbingforce and hire a professional plumber. A drip here and there may seem like a small thing when compared to the small win of completing your first DIY kitchen project, but leaks are no joke. It can lead to water damage down the line and become a costly problem to fix.
If you want to guarantee the best fit for your kitchen sink, call Plumbingforce at 0330 173 5321 or book us online to get a local plumber!