For busy families or working couples who are in a hurry to get ready for work in the morning, a double sink can be a real godsend. Creating a double sink countertop typically involves one of two scenarios: either you are installing a brand new countertop, possibly a countertop that already has two openings in the bowl, or you are installing a second sink next to the countertop. first by cutting an opening in the counter and adding the water supply and discharge lines to supply the new sink. It is this second scenario that we will describe in this project. According to an industry professional, this bathroom upgrade costs around $ 400, on average.
Intermediate to advanced skills required
There are certainly much more complicated plumbing upgrades that do-it-yourselfers can make, but adding a second lavatory sink requires extensive plumbing skills and experience. Think about what that entails before you tackle it. Disconnect the supply hoses serving the existing sink from the shutoff valves using channel locks or an adjustable wrench. This may require two wrenches, one to hold the valve, the other to loosen the mounting nut on the supply tube.
Take your countertop hardware into consideration. Laminate or solid surface countertops are fairly easy to use when it comes to cutting an opening for a second sink. But cutting a granite, quartz, or marble sink top is almost always a job for a professional. Dangerous dust particles and cracks are two potential problems that professionals know how to deal with.
A diverse range of plumbing skills are required since you will need to hook up the water supply and drain pipes. Make sure you have all of the basic plumbing tools and home shop tools equipped.
Pipe materials may vary. Although our project assumes the use of PVC drain pipes and copper water supply fittings, your own situation might be quite different. It could be galvanized steel, chrome plated brass, CPVC water pipe, or PEX tubing – you might even be dealing with all of these products on the same project. Before embarking on this project, take a look at the plumbing pipes under your sink and make sure you have the skills for the job.
This is a bathroom improvement project that should be done with patience. To avoid undue stress, DIY enthusiasts should plan to devote most of the weekend to their chores.
Tools and supplies you will need
The tools and materials you will need will vary depending on your personal situation. If you have the following on hand, you will be prepared for almost any scenario.
- Marker pen
- Tape measure
- Drill bits and bits
- Puzzle
- Metal saw
- New sink, with faucet and drain set
- 2 flexible water supply hoses
- Channel locks
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumber’s putty
- Silicone caulk
- Caulking gun
- PVC steam trap, with elbows, tee and extensions, if required
- Washbasin wrench
- 2 shut-off valves with two outputs for fixed devices
- Production
Cut the hole for the sink
For this phase, we’ll assume you have a laminate or solid surface countertop, both of which can be cut quite easily with a jigsaw. If you want to use the same trap for both sinks, as we have done here, there should be no more than 76cm between the two sinks. For comfortable use for two users side by side, there should be at least 24 inches of space between the sinks.
Measure the shape you need to cut out on the existing counter. Sink makers can provide a cardboard template that you can use to mark the cutout counter. This varies depending on whether it is an undermount sink, container, or bottom mount.
Alignment and spacing to the existing sink is critical in this regard – make sure there is enough space between the basins and that they are placed with the same front and back spacing on the counter. With the sink opening marked out on the countertop, drill a hole in the countertop inside the outline area. The hole should be large enough to accommodate a jigsaw blade. Using a jigsaw, cut out the outline to complete the cutout for the sink. Try to install the new sink to make sure it fits.
Assembly and installation of the new sink
It is usually easier to install the faucet and drain fitting in the new sink before inserting it into the cutout opening. Since faucet tailpieces can be difficult to access once the sink is placed on the counter, it is also a good idea to attach the water supply hoses to the faucet tailpieces beforehand.
Mount the faucet on the sink. This involves inserting the faucet end pieces through the holes in the sink, then threading the mounting nuts onto the end pieces from underneath the sink.
Attach flexible water supply hoses to the hot and cold tailpieces of the faucet. Make sure the tubes are long enough to go from the sink location to the existing shutoff valves under the counter. Tighten the power tubes to the tailpieces using an adjustable wrench or cup wrench.
Install the drain assembly on the sink following the manufacturer’s instructions. In most drains, a bead of plumber’s putty is placed around the drain opening, then the entire drain is inserted into the opening and the mounting nut is screwed onto the tailpiece from below the drain. sink. Use a channel pliers or pipe wrench to securely tighten the tailpiece. Some tailpieces and mounting nuts are plastic, so be careful not to break the parts by tightening them too tight. Wipe up any plumber’s putty that has escaped from the drain fitting flange in the bottom of the sink.
Insert the sink into the countertop opening, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually means applying a bead of silicone caulk around the cutout opening, then lowering the sink into place. Some models of sinks may have brackets that are installed under the sink to hold it in place against the countertop. Under mount sinks have another method of securing them.
If necessary, run a bead of caulk around the joint between the edge of the sink and the countertop. Wipe off excess caulk with a damp cloth.
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