FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
How-To

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

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

By 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.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Reusable Flood Bags for Fast Bulk-Water Control

These bags from Quick Dam arrive compact and swell to form a protective barrier on contact with water.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Track Lighting for Functional Ambiance in Busy Spaces
  • Pipe-Stand Bucket for Plumbing Jobs
  • Modern House in the Trees
  • Beth Pointer: General Contractor, Kitchen and Bath Remodels

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • How to Design and Assemble Rustic Oak Kitchen-Island Brackets
  • Podcast Episode 183: Work Trucks, Workshops, and Painting Brick
  • Podcast Episode 125 — French Doors, Kitchen Remodels, and the Gamification of Home Building.
  • Podcast Episode 109: Favorite Articles From the FHB Vault
View All

Kitchens

View All Kitchens Articles
  • House
    Reverent Texas Renovation
  • Reform designer cabinets
    Designer Kitchen Cabinets on a Budget
  • Remodeled house with white and black siding
    Staying Put By Remodeling
  • gold range hood
    Statement Range Hood for a Modern Kitchen
View All Kitchens Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in