How to Install a Double Kitchen Sink

A small kitchen remodel can consist of just replacing your kitchen sink. The difference it will make to the overall look and feel of your kitchen will amaze you. Or maybe your kitchen sink needs to be replaced out of necessity, because the finish is stained, scratched or dented. Maybe the plumbing under the sink needs to be replaced, so you decide to replace the whole area. Whatever the situation is, kitchen sinks are a breeze to replace, though there is a bit of work involved in connecting the plumbing. Don't fret: Knowledge is power, and this is your power source.

Instructions

How to Install a Double Kitchen Sink

1

Turn off the hot and cold water supply taps to the sink. Disconnect the water supply lines, and allow the excess water to drain into a basin.

2

Disconnect the garbage disposal from its power supply. Disconnect the plumbing under the sink, including the p-traps and garbage disposal. Allow excess water in the plumbing to drain into a basin. Set the plumbing aside or discard.

3

If the sink is held into place using metal clips, unscrew the clips and discard. The sink was probably also held into place using a bead of either silicone or latex caulk. Cut away what caulk can be reached with a razor blade and begin to lift the sink out of the hole in the countertop with solid force.

4

If you plan to reuse the existing faucet, remove the faucet from the old sink by loosening the nuts around the water supply tubes and pulling it away from the sink. If you are installing a new faucet in your new sink, leave the old sink and faucet intact and discard together.

5

Assemble the new sink and faucet according to directions provided by the manufacturers. Directions may vary depending on many factors, including sink style, sink size, faucet style and supply design. Installation manuals that come with the sink and faucet provide all of the information you need to prepare the sink and faucet for mounting.

6

Remove dirt and debris from around the sink opening in the countertop and place a bead of silicone caulk around the edge of the opening. Carefully place the sink in the opening, and seat the sink in the caulk to create a seal.

7

Install the mounting clips if the sink is designed to be clipped into place. Attach water supply lines. Hook up the garbage disposal according to manufacturer specifications. And hook all of the plumbing together. (Plumbing configurations vary greatly; reuse the parts you can from the previous configuration, and replace the parts you need to replace on an as-needed basis.)

8

When everything is hooked up and seems to be in working order, turn the water supplies on and run water through the plumbing to check for leaks, which should be apparent immediately. If there are no leaks, you are finished! However, if there are leaks, be sure the joints are put together correctly and that they are tight.

9

Run a final bead of caulk around the edge of the sink to create a tight seal between the sink and the countertop.