Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Projects - Installing a New Sink - By: Tauqeer Hassan

Kitchen sinks come in three basic varieties (although there are a host of different sizes and shapes). The surface-mount sink, the type used most frequently by home renovators, has a lip that goes over the top of the counter.

The flush-mount sink butts up against the countertop edge so that it is even with the counter. A special tightening clip holds the sink in place. Finally, there is the under-the-counter sink. It is held in place by clips screwed into the bottom of the counter.

When you don't want to redo the entire counter, install the sur¬face-mount variety. If you do a careful job of removing the old sink, without damaging the counter, you may be able to place the new sink right on the existing lip with no further work to the countertop surface. Otherwise, plan on doing the countertop at the same time as the sink.

If you're doing a minor renovation, you might be able to save time and money by refinishing the old sink. This involves putting a new surface on it and is best done by a professional. The advantage is that you don't need to remove the sink and tear out the countertop. The dis¬advantage is that you still end up with the old sink.

What Does a Sink Cost?
You can get a common kitchen sink in metal or in porcelain over steel. Stone and more exotic materials are also available. The cheap¬er varieties cost as little as $75. From there the price goes up. I have seen a kitchen sink selling for over $1000.

Avoid the least expensive sinks, particularly the porcelain-over-metal variety. Usually the porcelain is thin and may chip or wear away easily. Also, stay away from the low-end stainless steel sinks. They easily show water stains. If you're going to the trouble of replacing a sink, get a good one. Expect to pay around $250 for one that's not fancy and is in white.

How Do I Install the Sink?
There isn't a whole lot of skill involved in installing a sink. If it's a flush-mount, you have to make sure it fits the cutout (hole). If it's an over-the-lip model, you have to be sure you have enough lip to hold the sink.

Always install the faucets before putting the sink in. It's much easier than crawling underneath later on and try¬ing to install them.

A sink that's flush with the countertop or underneath it attaches by means of small screws placed every 4 to 6 inches. A lip sink sim¬ply sits on the countertop. Its weight plus some silicone caulk at the edges hold it in place.

Sinks are heavy, sometimes more than 100 pounds. Get help when lifting one into place. Getting a hernia or smashing a countertop is not a way to save money by doing it yourself.

The biggest problem most people have with sink installations is that they never seem to have all the parts at hand. They're always going back to the hardware store for a piece of tubing or some extra drain pipe.

If you plan ahead and cover all contingencies by buying extra parts (particularly for the drain), you'll save yourself a lot of time and headache. The extras can be returned later.

There should be no exceptional problems when installing a sink. Just remember that the sink is heavy and you need to be careful not to drop it onto the counter.

About the Author

Now, after knowing about installing a sink, you should know how to decorate a kitchen. Sometimes it becomes really useful, if you know about how to repair a dishwasher.

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