How to Replace a Kitchen Sink and Faucet | Ask This Old House

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Colorado to help a homeowner install a new kitchen sink and faucet. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)

Shopping List for Replacing a Kitchen Sink and Faucet:

Tools List for Replacing a Kitchen Sink and Faucet:
 
Steps for Replacing a Kitchen Sink and Faucet:
1. Close the hot- and cold-water shutoff valves under the sink.
2. Use an adjustable wrench to disconnect the water-supply lines from the valves.
3. Disconnect the trap from the sink's drainpipe using pliers.
4. Loosen the screws that hold the sink to the underside of the countertop.
5. Slide a putty knife under the rim of the sink to break its bond with the countertop.
6. Unplug the garbage disposer, and pull the sink from the countertop.
7. Place the new faucet onto the new sink. Tighten the locking nut to secure the faucet to the sink deck.
8. Slip the counterweight onto the spray hose, then connect the spray hose to the faucet.
9. Cut out and remove the existing PVC standpipe and trap for the garbage disposer.
10. Seal the old drainpipe with a rubber cap. Tighten the cap's stainless-steel hose clamp with a nut driver.
11. Set the new sink into place, then from below, use a screwdriver to tighten each mounting clip.
12. Connect the water-supply lines to the hot- and cold-water shutoff valves.
13. Put plumber's putty around the flange on the garbage disposer's throat fitting, then press the fitting down into one of the sink's drain holes.
14. From below the sink, slip two adapters and a lock ring onto the throat fitting.
15. Use a screwdriver to tighten the three screws on the lock ring.
16. Install a gasket and basket strainer into the remaining drain hole. Tighten the lock nut from below with pliers.
17. Scrape away the excess putty that squeezes out from beneath the throat fitting and basket strainer, and save for reuse on another job.
18. Remove the knockout plug from the side of the disposer using a screwdriver.
19. Lift the disposer onto the lock ring and tighten with a screwdriver.
20. Run PVC pipe from the sink trap to the tailpiece that protrudes down from the sink's basket strainer.
21. Install a T-fitting and PVC pipe to span from the drainpipe to the disposer. Trim the pipe to length, if necessary, with a PVC cutter.
22. Connect the drainpipe to the T-fitting with a compression fitting.
23. Tighten the two screws on the yoke to secure the opposite pipe end to the side of the disposer.
24. Connect the discharge hose from the dishwasher to the port protruding from the disposer.
25. Plug in the disposer's power cord, then open the hot- and cold-water shutoff valves.

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How to Replace a Kitchen Sink and Faucet | Ask This Old House

[sandyevans]

Lots of comments on here asking about what brand this sink is. At 6:23 of the video, when they are lifting the sink into place, you can see a sticker with the brand name on it. It is a Blanco sink. I’ve looked at their website and I don’t see this sink available anymore. No mention of an integrated gasket on any of their sinks. UPDATE: I just talked to Blanco on February 20, 2023. They advised that ALL of their stainless steel sinks come with an integrated gasket and hold down clips!! So there ya go!!

[tomfile]

She thanks him for handing her the dishwasher knockout. Too cute.

[sweetpea]

So cute. Lol! She's now an official plumber's assistant. I want to be a plumber when I grow up. He makes it look way easy. The new stuff is SOOO nice. Never been a better time to upgrade our fixtures!

[Handymanphilly]

My favorite part of any This Old House episode is the labored breathing.

[willg]

Sir, thank you so much for this detailed video. I installed our new sink with this. I can only imagine what a contractor would’ve charged us. Parts of my install was a challenge, due to such tight quarters and my plumbing inexperience, but I got it done. Also, I replaced the all the piping with a $15 garbage disposal piping kit from Home Depot. It was very easy. Thanks again!

[TriggerTravels]

She really said "thank you" when he handed her the garbage from the disposal

[jag]

I watch these to learn but the comments are a hilarious bonus.

[---crnw]

He didn't do it right. No trips to the hardware store mid-job.

[brendanchaplain]

10:08 richard: "here's some garbage" kristy: "Thanks!"

[omightyyoda]

She legitimately looks so excited for the new sink and faucet! that's awesome. Thanks for the detailed vid, I just recently replaced my faucet and this would've been helpful. Will be useful when we replace the sink! Thanks!!

[jacksplumbingvideos]

10:08 Richard hands Kristy a piece of dirty plastic "thank you"

[larrymoore]

Good job Richard. I like the way he explained each step. Always nice to have a good helper.

[MarzNet]

If your plumbing is very old often the shutoff valves under the sink can leak and/or not completely stop the flow of water. You can shut off the water main to the house and the feed valve into the hot water heater, then open the lowest (basement) faucet in the house to relieve the pressure. Then disconnect and install new lines onto shutoff valves. You might also want to just replace the shutoff valves under sink as well if they are all cruddy (if they thread onto supply lines, otherwise just leave em alone). Also, don't overtighten the flexible supply line compression fittings-just snug them up. If they leak, you can just tighten them a bit more until they stop leaking.

[richardwhite]

Richard the hero... Once again! Good job !! Making friends, one home at a time. Watched you for years...really appreciate you.. God bless you.🚿🛁🚽

[johnlasher]

Listening to this guy get out of breath from loosening/tightening a couple screws made my day.

[tedstraub]

The best part about this video is the trick back pad Richard introduces to great fanfare; the worst part is that he didn't say the name or list it in the tools section. Don't bait us like that, Richard!

[BurtBowers]

This video is exactly what i was needing to find out bout being careful when lifting out old sink that could damage formica counter top.

[teefrankenstein]

I always appreciate these videos, but man nothing and I mean nothing works this smoothly in real life. I fixed a leaky bathroom sink handle yesterday, took me forever, and I had a hardware store run mid-job. Must have said GD and MF a dozen times each! In the end I did get the job done thanks to these videos!

[kayoss]

For those replacing a garbage disposal: I can never get it connected (video part 10:15) because of the weight, so I use a car jack to lift and hold it in place so I can screw it on. Works like a charm!

[LouieShowers]

i want my wife to cheer me on like her!!! instead...¨All finished?¨