Building Skills

How to Remove an Old Kitchen Sink That Won't Sit Flat on Your Countertop

comments (6) December 16th, 2010 in Blogs

Official Fine Homebuilding Post, editor

Video Length: 3:45
Produced by: John Ross

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With Bruce Norman

Sometimes you have to completely remove a sink to put it back together right

We're here to eliminate the bow on the side of this kitchen sink. The bow creates a gap, leaving room for standing water and bacteria under the lip. We have to remove the sink so that we can get at the cabinet itself. When we have the sink out, we'll also be replacing the faucet. Then we'll put the sink back in, properly secure it, caulk it, and connect the water and waste lines, and we'll be done.

Get the pipes and hoses out of the way

We'll start out by disconnecting the waste pipe. It's a good idea to have a container underneath to collect any water that's still in the pipe. Loosen the nut that secures the pipe to the sink drain, and loosen the fitting connecting it to the pipe leading to your sewer or septic system; this can often be done by hand, but there's a chance that you'll need a pair of channel-lock pliers. We also have to remove the hose clamp securing the dishwasher drain tube. Just as with the main drain pipe, there will probably be some water in this hose -- use a small container to catch the water. Turn the water valves off and then disconnect the water supply lines.

Unscrew, cut, and pry (gently)

Next, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the clips that secure the sink. Then use a razor knife to carefully cut the caulk around the upper lip of the sink to break it free from the countertop. The sink may not come right up, so you may need to pry it off; use a wide, flat pry bar, and some thin scraps of wood or cardboard to avoid bending the lip of the sink or scratching the countertop. We're going to use a razor knife to remove all of the old caulk that would prevent the sink from laying flat on the countertop when we re-install it.

Expect the unexpected

When removing this particular sink, we found that one of the channels that we were hoping to use to pull the sink tighter to the countertop is rotted away. Therefore, we don't have anything solid to secure this sink with. so, it's time for a new sink.

We continue with the installation of the new sink in the next Building Skills video.

More videos and articles by Bruce Norman

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Learn this simple and professional technique for replacing a sink trap along with tips for proper venting

Video: Build Like a Pro: Replace a Sink Trap Online Membership Required

In this Build Like a Pro video, Bruce Norman explains how to rebuild your entire sink trap assembly and make it the best plumbing in the house.

Video: Build Like a Pro: How to Make Basic PEX Connections Online Membership Required

Plumber Bruce Norman demonstrates how to connect PEX components with a push-fit fitting or a clamp ring

Video: How to Make Basic PEX Connections

A plumber demonstrates how to connect PEX components with a push-fit fitting or a clamp ring

posted in: Blogs, kitchen, plumbing

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Comments (6)

TheGeneral writes: Well that's three minutes and forty-five seconds of my life that I'll never get back! Probably my own fault for over thinking it. Thought the video was going to offer some new trick or technique that would fix this problem - elimininating a bow in the sink edge. NOT simple say; 'Oops! Oh well, it’s rusted and can't be fixed. Go buy a new sink'. Why didn't you figure out that detail before you pulled the sink out -- especially if you can't afford to buy a new sink! Now you have to reinstall a sink that shouldn’t have been pulled out in the first place. And what happened to the rest of the segment about replacing the faucet that was promised at the beginning of the video?
Posted: 5:59 pm on January 1st

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Posted: 8:03 am on February 17th

ecoREHAB writes: I was interested in how to install the extra clips on the sides. Will you please continue this part of the demonstration?
Posted: 7:26 pm on December 28th

808Dave writes: That was unintentionally (I think) amusing and sad - much more reflective of the typical improvement project gone south than your typical rehearsed-and-scripted "This Old House"-style bit, completely missing the mark in the expected outcome. I couldn't help but think of Dan Aykroyd as Julia Child...
Posted: 2:38 pm on December 21st

KevinW writes: Had to do this myself last week, and things fell on my head too :) Can I suggest safety goggles? Regular glasses won't do much to keep rusty water, loose (rusty, charp-edged) clips or other gunk out of your eyes.

Kevin
Posted: 12:58 pm on December 21st

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