Do you want to install an undermount kitchen sink today? There are many factors that you should consider. First, you will realize that these kitchen sinks normally serve as a sleek component of any kitchen out there.
Besides their sleek, cool look, these units normally make it easier for you to clean your countertop. Since they are adhered to the underside of the counter, there will be no visible joints around the bowl to catch food bits and even grease when you are wiping the counter surface.
It is advisable that you install these undermount sinks beneath the stone and solid surfaces. It is worth noting that it is not ideal to install these sinks under ceramic tiles, plastic laminate, or even wooden tops. As you purpose to mount these sinks, you should ensure that you have a finished opening that is cut into the countertop with the right shape, size, and even position.
Procedure: How to Install Undermount Kitchen Sink
It is important that you have the holes drilled before everything starts. These holes will be ideal for mounting faucets and other accessories. A poor undermount sink installation can affect the countertop in a modern kitchen setting. Therefore, you need to know the right steps you should follow to get the desired results. These include:
- Prepare your workspace.
Before you start installing this kind of sink in your kitchen, you should first attach it to a countertop. Remember that the sink base normally has limited space and can actually appear awkward if you do otherwise.
However, you can still consider installing it with its top in place, or you intend to reset the current undermount sink, which is detected from underneath the counter.
For you to achieve this, you should cut out the side of the cabinet. This will allow you to access the pin fittings. Also, this will help you protect the sink from the other side of the counter.
Apart from this, you should get the work stand ready so that you can enjoy maximum support before the countertop arrives. Here, you will be able to work both below and above without cracking or flexing it.
Sometimes, the weight and length of the top can be a great problem for you. However, to mitigate this, you should set a few bys across sawhorses. Besides this, you can consider using a tabletop without a frame.
Some of the tools that you need to get the job done include:
- Masking tape.
- Two-part epoxy
- Faucet and accessories
- One tube of 100% silicone adhesive caulk
- Bar clamps
- Sink-mounting clips with glue-con stud bases.
- Denatured alcohol
Most professional sink installers normally prefer to have their job done under the counter when facing upwards on a table that provides more support. However, there is a category that prefers to have a finished surface. This position is upwards. Therefore, your method of installation will solely depend on your individual preference.
Here, we shall use the underside method. This method is deemed to be easier and faster when one wants to install an undermount sink. For you to get started, you should slab the underside and then work stand to face upward. Here are the other steps that you should follow:
- Clean the inner wall in the cutout with other areas surrounding it using a clean piece of cloth. For instance, you can use a rag that is dipped in alcohol to clean these surfaces. These surfaces should be free from dust and stains.
- Use the tape to seal out the cutout edges and then position the sink over the cutout. As you do this, you should ensure that the sink is centered well to for you to get the desired appeal. Thereafter, you can then trace out the rimand then creates an outline where you need to add silicone glue. Once this is done, you can then put the sink aside.
- Layout the sink clips in position and outside each of the lines you drew and then create each clip on both corners on the sink. Also, ensure that you create a space that is not more than 10 inches from both sides.
- Mix the epoxy to the glue on the sink-clip studs. Here, you should spread out the epoxy at the bottom of each stud. Thereafter, you can apply some pressure on it. Then you can squeeze out the epoxy to get into the holes you have created for the stud bases. Once this is done, let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.
- Once you notice that the epoxy on the sink is clipped well, you can add beads on the silicone at the edge of the cutout.
7.Place the sink well and ensure that it right set in place over the opening. For you to see the outcome well, you can look under the work-stand. This way, you can be sure that the sink edge will be well aligned. Also, both sides of the reveal will have equal sides. As you do this, ensure that you try to carry out some adjustments here and there.
- Once you are fully satisfied, slip-up the inserted sink clip that is on the studs to make one end to carry the sink rim. After that, you can thread out each wing-nut on the studs till it gets down to the bracket. As you do this, ensure that each nut you have fastened is finger tight. This will goes a long way in getting rid of any unnecessary strain at the top of your kitchen counter.
- Having installed the sink, time is ripe for you to clean up the cutout edges. This will help get rid of silicon that might have been squeezed out from the edge. Once this is done, you can remove all the tapes and clean out the silicon that penetrated the tape. For optimal results, you should use alcohol.
- Install the faucets and other accessories and then connect eh faucets tube to the water source.
- Start utilizing the sink.
Conclusion
As you install this sink, you should ensure that you do it properly to avoid leakages in your kitchen. Since most people are fond of putting several utensils on the sink, you would not want the sink to pull apart from the underside of your countertop and crash to the floor. When you install this sink well, such incidences will not happen. Consider these steps when installing the undersink in your kitchen, and you will not regret it.