How to replace a tiled-in kitchen sink (No tile repairs needed!)

Here's how to quickly and easily replace your tiled-in under-mount sink in your kitchen without having to match the tile or grout. This will save you a lot of time.

In this video, you'll learn how to install a new stainless steel single basic drop-in sink.

First, you'll learn how to cut the tile using an angle grinder with a diamond blade on it. Then, you'll learn how to install a new kitchen sink (Kraus Loften All-in-one dual mount drop-in stainless steel 33 in 2-hole single bowl kitchen sink with pull-down faucet) in the hole that you just cut.

[stevenhancock]

Dan,
Thank you so much for posting this helpful and really clear video. My setup was essentially identical to yours, so my wife and I were very happy when we found your video. Our enamel sink was 40 years old and in bad shape but we didn't want to get a new kitchen. We used the same Kraus sink that you did and are really pleased with the result. I can pass on a few lessons learned that might be helpful to someone else doing this. FIRST, I found that using a couple of bottle jacks to help free the old sink from its bed of mortar worked well. It was really stuck but popped free immediately with just a little pressure from the jacks below. SECOND, my tile was on a rather thick bed of mortar, for a total depth of about 2 inches or more, so the supplied bolts were too short. I didn't want to remove a lot of wood, so I bought a kit of the Elkay LK463 bolts. They are expensive but worked. They have a very small head which spins in the Kraus channel, but the hex nuts which they come with are a perfect fit. So I fixed the heads by adding a short plastic spacer to cover the missing threads and then a hex nut which I fastened tightly. I also added some loctite for added security. The kit comes with enough hex nuts to do this, and this worked perfectly. To secure them from below I used a long sleeve 3/8 inch socket. In the final installation, it took just a couple of minutes to fasten the 10 long bolts that I used. I also had a very close side wall on one side of the sink as in the video, and I cut slots like as shown in the video and used two of the supplied Kraus bolts there. I used a router to cut these slots. These two bolts were a big challenge to fasten because of very narrow access space (about 1/2 inch wide and maybe 8 inches deep). The hard part was rotating them 90 degrees after inserting the sink. I eventually got it with the help of a very long screw driver and a long metal ruler. I would recommend cutting these slots with plenty of room to rotate the brackets freely. THIRD, I should have covered the open water lines better, and flushed them out before installing the faucet. I kept my old HansGrohe faucet because it was still working well. When I turned it on there was hardly any flow. I found that it had a small filter at the end which was full of grit from grinding the tile. Everything worked fine after I cleaned out the filter. FINALLY, for someone like me not too familiar with this type of work, I recommend taking your time and carefully thinking through all of the steps. I found it helpful to make practice cuts in tile to get used to controlling the grinder. For the final installation we placed some 2x4's with eyelets in the ends to hold the sink rim just above the caulk so that we could make a final check on clip locations. My wife and I practiced an installation before applying caulk. I used a suction cup to hold and control my end of the sink while lowering it into place, and that worked well. We love the new sink. Thanks again Dan!

[nayy]

I finally decided to do the same thing after watching your video like 11 times. I made the mistake of cutting the opening just a bit too tight and my old sink was installed on a slight diagonal so it didn't come out easily. Had to lift it out from above with a chain, a car jack, and a piece of 2x4. Ended up popping a few tiles. On the bright side now I learned how to fix tiles, lol. Turned out great. Also, setting up a window fan blowing outwards helped tremendously with the dust control. Thank you so much for showing us how to do it.

[kennethsouthard]

Very nice work, I especially liked the dust control. My only suggestion would be to install the faucet on the new sink before you drop it in. That way you don't have to deal with getting under the sink later and struggling with a basin wrench.

[firevike]

Great video! I was beginning to think I could not replace our MC Hammer era sink without starting a HUGE counter replacement project that would evolve into much much more... I have restored faith in finding a solution to keeping a happy kitchen and home, thanks!

[robertaugustine]

Big thanks for posting this. I’ve been wanting to remove the old cast iron sink since we moved in 4 years ago, but did not want to try to match the granite tile and grout. Bought some diamond blades for the grinder from Amazon for $15 and had the install done in one Saturday. New sink looks amazing.

[Chris-cjjn]

I can’t believe how insanely helpful this video is! You’re a godsend. Seriously

[lorenrickey]

I had the same problem and used my Milwaukee cut off tool with the included diamond wheel. Worked better than I expected. Dropped the new Kohler sink in and done. Thanks for your video!

[Rayquesto]

Man... you don't realize how much this is going to save me investing wise. Much much appreciated!

[sheilaryan]

I really like your video. I have a similar sink but what stood out is your calm practical approach of doing this project with many details regarding the trouble shooting in which one needs to prepare for. Thank you!!

[MrBrysta]

I was going to remodel my 50 year ceramic tile counter in my kitchen. But regrouting the old and a new sink makes more $$$ sense today. Thank you for sharing.

[Johnnie]

Thanks for this video. I followed your instructions, bought the same Kraus sink. Came out beautiful.

[rochellecrews]

Thank you so much! This was OUR kitchen, the tile, the old sink, and it helped so much as we replaced it with a stainless steel sink, and yes, we'll replace the tile later, but not now, and this was perfect!

[venitajelks]

I have the same ugly countertops as well as the sink, What a blessing to share this video with my husband, he the same thoughts about the tile around the sink and countertops. Great tips thank you

[yerxiong]

Thank you so much! There’s a ton a videos on replacing a kitchen sink but non with a tiled in sink. Mines is exactly like yours and your video will help me tremendously! New sub.

[MrCednumber]

Good job! So impressed I've subscribed to yoir channel.

I'm actually a licenced plumber but have not dealt with removing a tiled in sink but have a customer needing that done. Definitely hoping the available replacement sinks will fit on the old tiles like that.

An oscillating mult-tool, with the right blade, would have been much easier in removing the tile instead of the angle grinder.

The mult-tool would cause way less to virtually no dust also.

[MerrillMadsen]

Thank you so much for posting this - this is precisely what I needed to learn! Really appreciate all the tips and thorough explanations.

[darioaquino]

the video shows from step 1to finish.clearly and detailed procedure how to install the kitchen sink.outstanding tutorial.

[SaragozaD]

Thank you! This was an excellent video! I have an identical setup and I want to replace my sink with, I believe, May be the very same sink (Costco). I have been hesitant to do it b/c a few friends (guys) told me I couldn’t do it and it’s not as easy as I may think. But after seeing your video you have really given me confidence. Thank you!

[RyanRytrades]

As a DIYer, we all learn once the hard way with dust getting everywhere. Needed these tips yesterday, but great video, thank you!

[Eric_Rides]

THANK YOU so much for this video! We have the same situation and ordered the same Kraus sink. Everything went just like the video. Even the supplied undercounter hardware works (just barely). I thought this was going to be a can of worms but wasn’t at all. Once the corner tiles were cut the sink popped right out with a little wiggling; no cracked tiles. Thanks again!