Similarly to the kitchen basin tap, replacing a kitchen sink in London is a rapid method of conferring your kitchen a new look, however, there are a number of plumbing and installation issues that need to be taken into account carefully. Below, are the most important ones.
The replacement of an old or broken kitchen sink is not complicated, however, if you decide to do it yourself, you will need to take some precautionary measures in order to avoid accidents.
Here is what to do before starting the replacement of the old sink:
Then, you can start the procedure of removing the kitchen sink in order to obtain access to the drain and supply lines. Our local plumbers also advise you to check these lines in order to take the necessary measures and replace any old and broken pipes, if the case requires it.
Once every appliance has been turned off and the water supply shut down, you can start removing the kitchen sink. This procedure can be very easy if you have all the tools at hand. For this procedure, you will need an adjustable wrench, some pliers, a putty knife and a cutter.
Removing the old kitchen sink will imply the following steps:
Once you have measured the new sink and decided it fits, you can easily place it on the countertop. You will then need to reattach the clamps to the new sink, clean the caulk on the sides of the countertop and start reconnecting the pipes and the appliances.
Our emergency plumbers in London recommend you replace any pipe that no longer fits, as this is usually the case when replacing a kitchen sink. Once all the connected the pipes, you can place the faucet, the tubing, the drain, and the strainer. You should secure them with some plumber’s putty in order to prevent any leaks. You can then connect the waste disposal, turn on the water and the power and check for any leaks.
Our plumbers in London can help you replace any type of appliance, so do not hesitate to reach out in case you need assistance.
If you decided to go for a deeper sink, you will have to measure the tailpiece first. If the new sink hangs down too low, it will not drain correctly and you will be forced to lower the sanitary tee connection in the drain line from the wall.
Also, keep in mind that a new disposer could have a lower drainpipe than the current one – however, it cannot be lower than the tee. If the disposer pipe is too low, choose a sink with another depth bowls. You will end up with a deep bowl for the dishes and a narrow one for the disposer. Our plumbers in London can help you with this issue.
You do not want to end up with a sink too small for the countertop opening which will leave unpleasant gaps along the sides – or even drop right through the hole! Remove the old sink and take measurements of the opening from underneath. Make sure you measure all four sides as the cutout might not have a square shape, paying special attention to the corners which are not always rounded as they should be.
Write down the measurements and take the notes with you when purchasing the new sink to ensure it will cover the opening, together with any square corners. If you cannot find a sink to match your measurements, purchase a larger one and extend the opening.
When replacing a sink in London, leaks around a sink rim could penetrate the particleboard under the plastic laminate countertop. Severe swelling can inhibit the new sink to sit flat on the countertop. A crumbling particleboard will not serve as a steady base for the clips that fasten the sink to the countertop.
The countertop needs to be replaced if there are any bulges or areas where the laminate has loosened from the particleboard or if there are any areas under the countertop which are too spongy to sustain the sink clips or the sink itself. One of our London plumbing professionals can help you with this procedure. If you are experiencing any emergency, you can address to our emergency plumbers in London.
When you want to replace a kitchen sink in London, this can prove to be a quite strenuous work. A lot of sinks, like the cast iron ones, could be heavy to remove, needing the assistance of a licensed plumber in London. If countertops need to be changed, replacing the sink could become even more difficult, taking a lot of time. Besides, the water supply to the sink has to be turned off in order to avoid water leaks during the replacement and installation procedure. Make sure you install the sink with a finished outcome which looks professional. We are here to help. Call us for a professional replacement of your kitchen sink in London.