DIY Home Improvement Tips » Sinks

Replacing a Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

James Halpert — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:30:36 +0000

Replacement of a kitchen or bathroom sink basically boils down to shopping for a new one that will fit without much alteration. Modern kitchen and bathroom sinks offer unique or more elegant installations. Unless you want to replace an entire countertop or vanity, stick to shopping for basic styles of sinks that offer traditional installations. Replacing a old sink with a new one of the same size and installation is quite simple. Begin by shutting down the water and disconnecting all of the plumbing. Removal of an old sink may take some prying and even scraping in order to get it out. Once the old sink is out of the way, the area will need to be cleaned of all debris including any adhesive or sealant that was left behind. Allow the area to dry well before you begin to install the new sink. Also, do a test fit of the new sink prior to beginning the installation.

Installing a new sink that fits is easy as long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some sinks are ready to be fitted with the plumbing while others require that you create holes for the type of plumbing you currently have. Install the faucets before you seal the sink. Once the sealant is applied, you will only have enough time to set it in place before it starts the drying process. The sealant should be applied to the bottom edge of the new sink. Place the sink in its designated position and press down. Allow the seal to completely dry before you begin to fasten the sink from below and never install the drains until the sink is securely in place.

Finally, once everything is secure in place and all of the plumbing has been installed you can then turn the water back on to check for leaks. Kitchen sinks are likely to spring a leak when the plumbing is moved around so check closely and make adjustments to remedy the leaks. Fill the kitchen sink with water to make sure the drains are functioning properly. A leaky drain is easily fixed by replacing the seal. Seals are fairly inexpensive and worth changing out once in a while anyway. If you are having trouble taking care of leak you, turn off the water and contact a professional plumber. Seals, washers, and caulking wear away with time. Many times the movement alone of the plumbing can cause problems so it is definitely wise to contact a professional who can fix and check for any other problems in the area. As much as we try to do on our own, some things are simply better left to the professionals especially if you want to avoid spending more time and money repairing a problem that could have been prevented.

Upgrading Bathroom Vanities, Sinks, and Cabinetry

James Halpert — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:51:21 +0000

Bathroom vanities come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, materials, colors, and installations. Vessels sinks are probably the most modern and popular style around which requires that you install the sinks above the vanity counter. If you plan to keep your existing bathroom vanity cabinets then all you really need to look for is a more modern sink that can fit the existing counter. Sinks can be installed from above or underneath the counter depending on which type of sink you prefer. If you want to change the number of sinks or mount style of your existing bathroom vanity all you really need to do is switch out the countertop. Extra sinks will however, require additional plumbing but the extra convenience and functionality is well worth the investment. Another alternative is to change out the entire bathroom vanity unit including sinks, cabinetry, faucets, mirror, and many times the light fixtures too.

Changing out entire bathroom vanity units is probably the most ambitious of all bathroom remodels but the overall impact will be quite dramatic. Modern bathroom vanities are smaller but way more elegant in design. The sinks are beautifully crafted in materials that are incredibly attractive like granite, glass, stainless steel, copper, and ceramic. Natural stone seems to be a popular choice because no two sinks are identical and the natural tones allow homeowners to bring in other earth tones into the wall color, linens, and floor treatments.

The home improvement market is full of choices when it comes to sinks and bathroom vanity cabinet styles so deciding which one works best for your bathroom will take some thought about the style and function that will best fit your vanity needs. Many times the decision will come down to budget restrictions which is not a problem but you will have to do a little more searching to get the vanity you want at the price you need. There are many online sites selling sinks and vanities. Compare pricing, materials, and styles between the various vendors in order to determine how much your money can really get you toward getting the new bathroom look and function you have always dreamed of.

Elkay Kitchen Sinks are Elegant, Durable, and Well Crafted

James Halpert — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:48:15 +0000

Elkay kitchen sinks come in a variety of types, materials, styles, finishes, and mount styles. Elkay mount styles or installations include undermount, top mount, apron front, corner, and integrated. The mount style and installation will depend highly on your preference and needs but it also depends greatly on the type of countertops and cabinetry you own. For instance, undermount kitchen sinks are fastened from underneath so the countertop and cabinetry must be able to accommodate that installation. Top mount is the most common method of installation but modern kitchen designers are constantly increasing the use of undermount and integrated sinks because they create a seamless and elegant overall design which is highly indicative of a more modern decor. Apron front and corner are also popular but their installation is quite different and requires more expertise.

Elkay stainless steel kitchen sinks are exquisite in appearance and their most popular material by far. The company does however carry a large selection of other sink materials like copper, e-granite, fine fireclay, and harmony quartech. All Elkay kitchen sinks are masterly crafted to be beautiful, durable, and highly functional in any kitchen design. Elkay ceramic kitchen sinks made out of fine fireclay or harmony quartech are considered very high end in the design world. If you have any problems deciding which sink will best fit your current kitchen design you can contact a local sales representative who can help you answer some of your questions and concerns.

There are various Elkay showrooms and retailers so you can shop locally if you prefer to see each unit in person. Online shopping is also available from various online stores. You can however purchase accessories for your kitchen directly from the Elkay website. For most people the kitchen sink is an investment worth taking a little time to make sure you get the best product for your money and the Elkay company is known all over the world for delivering products that are surpass expectations.

Choosing Glass Bathroom Sinks to Fit Your Design Plan

James Halpert — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:08:30 +0000

Shopping for glass bathroom sinks can get a little overwhelming because there are so many unique sizes, styles, colors, and materials to choose from. Most glass sinks are called vessel sinks which means they are typically vessel mounted or installed to look as if they are floating on top of a vanity. There are however, many other types of glass sinks including vessels, under mounted, or over mounted. Typical shapes of a glass bathroom sink are round, oval, or square. Square is considered the most modern and unique thus it is also the most expensive to purchase. Most glass bathroom sinks are in fact hand-blown, fused, or mosaic which means they are made by expert craftsman and very unique in appearance. The choice does not have to difficult especially if you have already decided on the type of mount you prefer.

When changing out your existing sinks for one that is made of glass, you will need to measure the opening to ensure that you only look at the sizes that will fit your existing vanity or mount. Many times you will also have to switch out your bathroom sink faucets because most glass sinks are made to fit a unique type of faucet. If you want to keep your existing faucets you will definitely need to look for a glass sink that is designed specifically for that type of bathroom sink faucet. Ask for help at the store because some sinks can be quite versatile when it comes to the type of faucet installation they require. Small bathroom sinks can easily be switched out for glass because the opening is smaller thus it can fit many different sizes of glass bowl sinks as long as the installation is intended to look like floating bowls over the vanity.

The best and most unique types of sinks are typically made of glass because each will have unique characteristics depending on the manufacturing technique. For example, cold glass is creating under room temperature. Other methods use fire or a kiln to expand and shape the glass into a shape that is perfect for a sink.