How to Install a New Kitchen Sink & Faucet

Spruce up your kitchen with a nice, new sink.

If you can't afford a brand new kitchen, maybe a new kitchen sink and faucet will tide you over until you can do a major remodeling job. Existing kitchen sinks can get pretty worn looking, especially around the edges. The grime that builds up around the faucet is reason enough for a replacement. Installing a new sink and faucet doesn't have to cost you contractor or plumber fees. Many sinks are easy enough to install that you can truly do it yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Kitchen sink
• Faucet
• Sink kit, which includes PVC pipe and stainless steel hoses/acorn head hoses.
• Marker
• Scrap wood longer than intended sink
• Spare screws
• Swabs or small paint brush
• PVC primer
• PVC cement
• Plumber's putty
• Safety goggles
• 2-inch duct tape
• Pipe joint compound
• Tubing cutter
• Jigsaw
• Drill
• 1/2 inch spade bit
• Screwdriver
• Mechanic's pliers
• Adjustable wrench
• Tape measure
• Hacksaw
• Utility knife
• Straightedge

Instructions

Laying out the Sink and Cutting

1. Place 2-inch duct tape on the counter at the location of the sink.

2. Lay the sink upside-down on the counter, with the edges on the duct tape.

3. Move the sink forward to leave one and a half inches from the wall or backsplash to the edge of the sink.

4. Make sure the sink is parallel with the edge of the counter.

5. Trace the sink with the marker and remove the sink from the counter.

6. Measure the lip of the sink, subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurement.

7. Mark your measurement inside of the sink tracing on the counter.

8. Connect all of the sink marks with the straightedge and marker.

9. Round off the sharp corners to approximately the curve of the sink's edges.

10. Use the drill, equipped with the spade bit, to drill a hole at each corner.

11. Insert the jigsaw into a front hole and cut from front to back. Repeat on the other side, cutting from front to back.

12. Support the cutout before cutting from side to side by attaching a piece of scrap wood that is longer than the sink cutout. This prevents the cutout from falling into the cabinet when cut.

13. Cut side to side along the front and back.

14. Check to see if the sink fits by dropping it into the cutout. If it does not, remove the sink and cut along the area that does not fit. Be careful not to over-compensate by taking away too much counter top.

15. Remove the tape from the counter top.

Attach the Faucet to the Sink

1. Turn the sink upside down on a work surface, such as another piece of counter.

2. Thread the tailpiece and supply tubing through the gasket.

3. Thread this assembly through the faucet hole in the sink.

4. Attach the faucet using the screwdriver to begin tightening the nuts and washers to the underside of the sink.

5. Be sure the faucet is positioned correctly before tightening the rest of the way.

Attach the Sink Strainer

1. Place plumber's putty under the lip of the sink strainer. It should be thick.

2. Push the sink strainer through the drain hole in the sink.

3. On the other side, attach the gasket and washer, using pipe-joint compound on any exposed threads.

4. Thread the locknut until difficult to tighten.

5. Use the pliers to completely tighten the locknut, holding the strainer to prevent it from turning.

6. Slide the gasket on to the tailpiece and tighten the slip nut.

Install the Sink and Connect the Water

1. Apply silicone caulk to the underside of the sink's lip.

2. Place the sink, right side up, in the sink cutout.

3. Check to be sure the sink is parallel front to back and side to side, adjusting if necessary.

4. Connect the faucet to the shutoff valves with stainless steel hose or acorn-head supply tubes.

5. Attach the sprayer hose to the tailpiece of the faucet.

Attach the Drain

1. Put the trap adapter onto the tailpiece of the sink drain.

2. Cut PVC pipe to connect the trap and trap adapter.

3. Smooth the cut ends with the utility knife.

4. Apply PVC primer to the cut ends of the pipe. Allow primer to dry.

5. Apply PVC cement to the joining sides and press together. Hold the pieces for 30 seconds to secure.

6. Tighten threaded connectors by hand.

7. Remove excess putty from around the sink strainer.

8. Turn on the faucet and check for leaks. Tighten or tape where necessary.

9. Fill the sink to help weigh it down while the caulk sets overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep buckets and towels handy for when you test for leaks. A small leak will be detected quickly, but may continue to leak as you try to fix it.

• Always take necessary precautions when working with power tools.

• If you do not feel confident about installing the sink, consider having a professional do the work.

References

• This Old House: How to Install a Kitchen sink