Are you planning to install kitchen sink plumbing in your home? It might sound like a daunting task, but it’s not. All you need is to be prepared with all the necessary supplies and know the steps to follow. To help you in the process, here is a comprehensive guide on installing the kitchen sink plumbing successfully.
Equipment and Tool Needed
- Jigsaw
- Pencil
- Power Saw
- Plumber’s tape
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Waterproof sealant
- Drill and drill bits
- Channel-type pliers
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Steps to Install Kitchen Sink Plumbing
Here are the steps you need to follow.
Step 1: Remove the Old Sink
The first step to installing a new sink plumbing is to remove the old one. You need to remove it gently and carefully to avoid damaging the countertop. Before disconnecting the pipes under your kitchen sink, it’s advisable to take a photo to compare when installing the new one.
Step 2: Install the kitchen faucet
Set your sink upside down on a counter or padded sawhorse. Move the faucet’s tailpiece and supply through the gasket, sealing the faucet to the sink and then up through the sinkholes. Screw the washers and mounting nuts to the underside of your sink deck. Ensure the faucet swings in a complete arc across the sink before you tighten the mounting nuts.
Step 3: Attach the Strainer over the Plumber’s Putty
With the sink upside down, put a thick roll of plumber’s putty under the lip of the strainer and push it through the sinkhole. Thread the nut on the strainer with your hand and tighten using pliers as you hold the strainer in position. Fit the gasket to the sink drain piece and attach it to the strainer using its slip nut. Again, tighten the nut with your hand as you hold the strainer.
Step 4: Set the Kitchen Sink and Connect the Water Supply
With your sink still upside down, squeeze silicone caulk around the underside of the sink’s lip. Turn the sink upright and set it in the kitchen countertop hole. Ensure that the sink front is parallel to the front of your kitchen countertop. Connect your faucet to the shutoff valves with an acorn-heat supply tube, and then attach the sprayer hose to the threaded tailpiece of the faucet.
Step 5: Connect the Pipes
Join the trap adapter into your kitchen sink drain tailpiece. Cut and dry-fit PVC pipe to attach the trap adapter to the trap and the drain elbow to the waste line. Slide the trap on the tailpiece to fine-tune the alignment and pipe lengths. Put the drain pieces apart, and clean their ends using a utility knife. Coat them and their counterparts with PVC prime and let them dry. Pad PVC cement on the two ends being joined and push the pieces together. Then hold for half a minute. Reassemble and tighten all the threaded connections.
Step 6: Attach the Dishwasher Drain and Clean Up
Now join the dishwasher drain line to the waste nib of the tailpiece. Use a screwdriver to tighten the hose clamp. Get rid of excess putty from the strainer’s lip. Remove the aerator from your faucet and run the water. Check if there are leaks and if you find them, tighten the nuts until the leaking stops.
Ensure that the front edge of the sink is parallel to the edge of the kitchen counter. Fill your kitchen sink with water to weigh it down and allow it to sit overnight to make the caulk set more effectively.
Mistakes to Avoid when Installing Kitchen Sink Plumbing
Wrong Fixtures
Having the wrong fixtures can frustrate you while installing kitchen sink plumbing. The wrong fixtures mean that your sink will not fit the piping system.
Wrong Measurements
It’s critical to measure your space before you start installing your kitchen sink plumbing. With the wrong measurements, you face many problems during the installation process. For instance, you may realize that your sink basin is too deep than the available space. So, take the right measurements to ensure you get the right type of kitchen sink.
Installing the Sink on a Swollen Countertop
Your kitchen countertop may be swollen depending on how the old sink was functioning. This can happen if the old sink was leaking. Avoid installing your sink on a swollen countertop because it won’t sit flat, making it fail to work properly and affecting its aesthetics.