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How Replacing an Undermount Sink?

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Cut through the caulk that connects the sink to the underside of the counter. Reach into the sink from above and run the blade of a utility knife through the bead of caulk, all the way around the rim of the sink. Work carefully so you don’t scratch the lip of the opening in the countertop. This caulk helps to hold the undermount sink in place but is primarily there to prevent water from getting between the sink rim and the underside of the counter.

Remove the holding clips under the sink while supporting it from below. Although it will be a tight fit in the sink cabinet, this is safer and easier with a second set of hands helping you. While the second person holds the bottom of the sink, remove the several clips (often 4-6) that pin the sink rim against the underside of the counter. They will either be screwed or epoxied into place.

If they’re attached with screws, simply use a screwdriver to remove them. If they are stuck in place with epoxy, use a putty knife to scrape, pry, and wedge the clips apart from the underside of the counter. Once you remove the clips, the sink will be free to fall, so make sure it’s being held up by someone.

Lower the sink down and out of the cabinet. Now that the caulk and the clips have been removed, simply guide the sink downward and out of the cabinet. If you are reusing the existing faucet and drain, remove them now. But it’s more likely that you’ll want to install new ones with your new sink.

Install the faucet, but not the drain, in the new sink. Unlike with a top-mount sink, don’t install the drain before installing an undermount sink. But it’s easier to install the new faucet now instead of having to work from inside the sink cabinet. Installing a faucet is within the skill set of most DIYers, but the process differs based on the type and model of faucet. Closely follow the instructions that come with the new faucet.

Apply a bead of silicone caulk around the entire top rim of the sink. Use a silicone caulk designed for bathroom applications. Make sure the bead is continuous around the entire rim of the sink. Like the stuff you removed from the old sink, this caulk is mostly there for waterproofing, but also helps hold the sink in place.

Replace Your Bathroom Sink

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Because they get heavy everyday use, bathroom sinks can easily become chipped, stained, or scratched over time. When this happens, you may want to install a new sink to enhance the ambience of your bathroom and create a fresh, clean look. While replacing a bathroom sink takes a bit of time, and replacing the faucet is a separate but essential element of the process, the overall job is manageable for most DIYers.

Choose a silicone caulk intended for use with bathroom fixtures. Don’t use acrylic or other non-silicone caulks. Lower the sink into the hole in the countertop. Lift the sink carefully and slowly drop it straight down into the opening. Once it’s in place, push down on the sink and wipe off any excess silicone that squeezes out with paper towels.

This job may be a bit easier if you have a second person reach up from inside the cabinet to support the sink from below. Attach the sink to the underside of the counter with fastener clips. Follow the instructions that come with your new sink regarding the placement of the clips. Either tighten them by hand or with a screwdriver, as indicated by the instructions. Once secured, they’ll apply pressure to hold the sink tight to the underside of the counter.

Not all sinks require clips for installation. If your model does use clips, they should come in the package with your new sink. If you’re missing a clip or 2, it’s possible that the clips from your old sink may work.

Run a bead of caulk around the rim of the sink where it meets the countertop. Your goal here is to create a waterproof barrier between the rim of the sink and the countertop so that water can’t seep in under the sink rim. Once you’ve run the bead of caulk around the sink rim, wet your index finger and run it around the entire bead to smooth the caulk in place. Then use damp paper towels to wipe away any excess. Use the same silicone caulk you used to adhere the underside of the sink to the countertop.

How Replacing a Top-Mount Sink?

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Remove the clips under the sink that hold it against the countertop. Many, but not all, sinks have clips underneath them that create a pressure connection against the underside of the counter. If your sink has them, loosen them either by hand or with a screwdriver. If your new sink requires clips, it should come with them. However, you may want to keep these old ones for the time being, just in case they might come in handy.

Cut any sealant between the sink and the countertop with a utility knife. Carefully run the blade of the knife between the rim of the sink and the countertop. Doing so will slice through the caulk or other sealant that secures the sink and countertop together. Work slowly and carefully so you don’t cut into the countertop, especially if it’s made of laminated wood. Of course, if you’re replacing the countertop as well, you can be as messy as you like.

Lift out the old sink from the counter. If you can get a good grip from above, you can lift it straight up and out. Otherwise, have a second person push up from below, then lift out the sink when it pops up. Once the old sink is out of the way, scrape away any residual caulk or sealant on the countertop. Use a plastic putty knife for scraping, then clean up any residue with a rag dipped in mineral spirits.

Install the faucet and drain on the new sink. You can either remove the faucet and drain from the old sink and reuse them, or buy a new faucet and drain to go with your new sink. If you are not experienced with this type of project, you may be better off with a new faucet and drain, since they will come with detailed installation instructions.

Faucet and drain installations will vary quite a bit based on the particular brand and model you select. However, with a good set of instructions, it is a project most DIYers can handle. Otherwise, contact a plumber. Apply silicone caulk to the underside of the new sink’s rim. Squeeze a steady strip of caulk all the way around the underside of the rim. This will hold the sink in place and prevent water from dripping down into the cabinet.