How to Install a Granite Composite Kitchen Sink

Remove Your Old Sink

• 1

  Turn off the water supply to the sink using the shutoff valves underneath the sink. Turn on your faucet to bleed the rest of the water from the lines.

• 2

  Disconnect the plumbing to the sink. Unscrew the supply lines from the bottom of the faucet, and the existing p-trap from the sink strainers.

• 3

  Remove any clips holding the sink in place. Run a putty knife around the edge of the sink to remove any caulking that may be present.

• 4

  Lift the old sink out of the hole and set it aside. Clean any dirt and debris from around the sink cutout. Remove old caulking with rubbing alcohol.

Overmount Installation

• 5

  Test to make sure your new granite composite sink fits in your existing cut-out. If necessary, widen the cutout using a jigsaw.

• 6

  Turn your new sink upside down over sawhorses and feed the supply lines and tailpiece of your faucet through the holes. Check your faucet's range of motion, then install and tighten the mounting nuts on the tailpiece.

• 7

  Install your new sink strainers while the sink is still upside down. Pre-installing these pieces saves you time spent on your back underneath the sink. Roll a snake of plumber's putty between your fingers and shape it around the hole in the bottom of the sink. Press the sink strainer into the putty. Coat the threads on the bottom of the strainer with pipe joint compound.

• 8

  Secure the locknut onto the bottom strainer to hold it in place. Tighten it with pliers or a wrench. Place the gasket on the drain tailpiece, and hand-tighten the slipnut to secure it to the underside of the strainer.

• 9

  Run a bead of silicone caulking along the edge of the sink cutout on the countertop. Flip your sink over and set it down into the hole. Connect the faucet supply lines to the shut-off valves, and the p-trap to the drain tailpiece. Turn on the water and test your plumbing to make sure it does not leak.

Undermount Sink Installation

• 10

  Test the fit of your sink underneath your cutout. Line up the reveal you wish to leave, and make sure the sink is straight.

• 11

  Insert the bottom part of the bar clamps through the drain holes in the bottom of the granite composite sink. Lay the two-by-four over the sink cutout, placing the ends on the countertop over towels to make sure you do not damage your countertop.

• 12

  Lift the undermount sink into place and tighten the bar clamps down to the two-by-four to hold the sink steady while you install the mounting clips.

• 13

  Epoxy the undermount sink clips into place on the bottom of your countertop. Ensure that you are using as many clips as the manufacturer specifies to keep your sink stable.

• 14

  Run a 1/4-inch bead of caulk along the sink reveal to prevent water from dripping underneath the sink if it is splashed.

• 15

  Allow the epoxy to set per the manufacturer's instructions. Install the faucet through the holes drilled in the countertop while you wait.

• 16

  Remove the bar clamps and two-by-four. Put a ring of plumber's putty around the drain holes, and press the sink strainers into it. Underneath the sink, coat the threads of the strainers with pipe joint compound, and tighten the locknuts with a wrench.

• 17

  Connect the p-trap assembly to the sink strainer with the slip nuts. Line up the gasket and tailpiece, and hand-tighten the slip nuts onto the threads of the sink strainer. Connect the p-trap to the drain outlet in the wall.

• 18

  Run water in your kitchen sink and test for leaks around the rim and drain.