Kitchen sinks are used the most.They are essential to a good kitchen.Kitchen sinks can start to leak after many years of wear and tear.The look and function of your kitchen can be updated with a new sink, but first you have to figure out how to get rid of the old one.You can learn how to remove a kitchen sink.
Step 1: Take a look at what type of sink you have.
Kitchen sinks come in 2 basic designs: under-mounted, which are attached to the countertop from underneath, or drop-ins,which simply drop into the sink opening in a countertop.There are only slight differences in how you remove the sink, and they will be explained as you go through the steps.
Step 2: The cabinet is under the sink.
Most of your work will be done here so you can clean out this space.It will allow you to place a bucket or tools in more space.
Step 3: Put on your gloves and protective eyewear.
There are a lot of pipes and other dangers in the under sink area.The job can be messy and hard on your hands, so wearing gloves is a good idea.Personal protective equipment can seem like a hassle at times, but it could save you from injury in the long run.
Step 4: If you have a garbage disposal, unplug it.
It's a good idea to take your disposal out as soon as possible because electricity and water don't mix.You might want to turn off the circuit that the disposal was plugged in to.To turn off the garbage disposal plug, go to your home's fuse box.
Step 5: The water supply needs to be turned off.
The hot and cold water valves are located below the sink.The hot water shut off knob can be red or blue, but this is often not the case.Either way, turn the handles clockwise until they are all the way off.Turn on the water in the sink to make sure they are closed.The water should be gone after a few drips.If there are no water shut off valves, you can replace them yourself by following these steps.If you want to shut off the flow of water, you need to trace the water supply lines.If all else fails, there should be a main water shut off, either where water comes into your house or at the curb.
Step 6: The underside of the faucet has the water supply lines.
Water supply lines that connect to kitchen sinks are most often flexible plastic tubing that connects on both ends at the sink and the water shut off valve with metal nuts.It may be difficult to get to the sink because it's on the backside.You can loosen the nut on the water line with a variety of tools.To keep the line upright, hold it in place with one hand and loosen the nut with the other.A bucket can be used to pour out the water trapped in the line.It's a good idea to spread towels across the bottom of the under-sink cabinet in order to catch spills.If the connection between your water lines and the sink is not possible, you can usually cut off the lines at the water shut off valves.You need to be gentle with the connections at these valves, as breaking them would cause water to flow into your kitchen.
Step 7: There is a drain pipe in the sink.
The plastic drain piping is connected to the metal sink strainer with a slip nut.First loosen the nut that holds the strainer to the drain pipe.The plastic nut can be loosened by hand with a bit of strength.Don't pull the connection apart when the nut is loose.You will need to loosen the slip nut at the far side of the P-trap, which is a distinctive J- or U-shaped span of pipe under the sink.The nut should be loosened so that you can remove the piece of piping between the strainer and the far side of the P-trap.Keep your bucket handy for spills.If you have a sink that is mounted underneath the counter, you may need to remove more drain piping in order to have room for the sink to come out.Give the sink space by removing the drain pipe further past the P-trap.If you leave at least an inch of pipe sticking out from the under sink area, you can easily replace whatever you take out.If you can't remove the slip nut by hand, you may want to wrap a rag around the nut and turn it with your channel locks.
Step 8: If you have a garbage disposal, turn it off.
The drain pipe needs to be disconnected from your disposal.Attach the garbage disposal to the drainpipe with a screwdriver.The drain line for the dishwasher may need to be removed if you have one in the garbage disposal.The connection should be easy to detach with a screwdriver or wrench, depending on the fixture.
Step 9: If you have a garbage disposal, remove it.
If you buy a garbage disposal with an Allen wrench, it will open the assembly from its connection.Keep your other hand under the disposal as you turn the special wrench clockwise.Garbage disposal units with snap rings connect the disposal to the sink.One ring is attached to the bottom of the sink and the other is in the disposal.When detaching the disposal, the two rings have screws that sandwich them together, which can be loosened and removed.Either way, the unit will come off quickly and you need to have a good grip on it so that you can catch it.A sink with two bowls will have one bowl connected to the drain and the other to a garbage disposal.You will need to remove both connections if this is the case.
Step 10: The caulking around the kitchen sink needs to be cut through.
To slice through the sealant on the fixture, use a utility knife.Don't cut into the countertop if you're going to keep using it.
Step 11: The sink should be removed from the countertop.
If you have an under-mounted sink, you will need someone to hold the sink up while you detach it, otherwise it will fall onto you.This step can be done by yourself.Remove the metal clips that connect the sink to the countertop.Carefully remove the tiny clips with a screwdriver.Take your time and be patient with these screws, they may be difficult to access and rusty.If you want your helpers to hold up an under-mounted sink, you need to remove the strainer from the sink.The sink has a lock nut below it that is connected to the strainer.The lock nut needs to be loosened by using large channel locks.Simply tap the bottom of the strainer and it will pop up and be easy to remove from the sink.
Step 12: Push up on the sink to loosen it.
Push up until the fixture is loosened on all sides, if it doesn't move easily.If you have trouble getting the sink to detach, and you are worried that it will pull off a piece of your countertop, you should have a helpers cut along the caulking as you push up on the other side.This will allow you to remove the sink without damaging it.
Step 13: The sink needs to be removed from the countertop.
Older porcelain sinks can be heavy, so if you want to take that type out, get someone to help you.It is difficult to get under-mounted sinks out.To angle it out of the cupboard doors, you need to be careful not to damage any cabinet surfaces or remaining piping.
Step 14: Clean up spills.
Use a paint scraper or razor blade to remove caulk from the countertop.Before you install a new kitchen sink, make sure the surface is clean.It's a good idea to sop up any water that may have come out of the sink.