How to install a sink in a countertop. Step-by-step installation of a kitchen sink and useful tips for installation. Installing a sink in a countertop made of other materials
1 Ergonomics in the kitchen
Food preparation must occur accurately and quickly. This is primarily influenced by the location kitchen furniture and technology. In accordance with the principles of ergonomics, kitchen equipment must be placed depending on the order of work, that is, from left to right: refrigerator, dishwasher, sink, stove, and between them work surfaces with cabinets.
The minimum distance between individual devices should be:
- 40 cm between the refrigerator and the sink, as well as between the sink and the stove,
- 40 cm between the refrigerator and the stove.
For right-handed people, the most convenient way is to place separate workspaces from right to left. Regarding the sink, this means that the sink should be on the right and the drain on the left.
It is best if the sink is installed near the connection to the water supply and sewerage system.
The drainage system at the sink is made of pipes and siphons with a diameter of 40 and 50 mm.
2 Types of sinks
When choosing a kitchen sink, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- Capacity. It is determined by the number and size of dishes washed daily.
- Functionality. It is determined by the nature of the work carried out in the kitchen, the number of additional bowls in the sink and wings for drying. If you have to carry out several personal manipulations in the sink at the same time, then these compartments will be very useful.
- Ease of use. You must be comfortable standing and working at the sink.
- Stability and durability. These parameters are determined by the material from which the sink is made.
- Combination with kitchen interior. The sink should match the style, design, color scheme and, of course, the size of the entire kitchen.
From an installation point of view, there are two main types of sinks:
- applied to a kitchen cabinet (overhead),
- built into the kitchen countertop (mortise).
When installing built-in sinks, it is necessary to accurately cut a hole in the countertop for the selected sink. In the case of slabs made of chips, this is not a big problem, but if the tabletop is made of stone, conglomerate or composite, then special cutting tools are necessary. 
MATERIALS USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WASHES
Surface-mounted sinks are made of stainless or enameled steel. The two most common options for the appearance of steel sinks are smooth and linen-textured.
Drop-in sinks are made of stainless steel, mineral-epoxy composites and hard artificial materials.
Composite sinks often have an impressive grain structure, reminiscent of polished stone. Sinks made of artificial materials can be completely one-color. This group of kitchen accessories is characterized by spectacular appearance and high resistance to abrasion, scratches, dents and high temperatures.
WASH FORMS
Steel sinks have the widest range of shapes and varieties. In addition to the usual single-bowl sinks, there are sinks with several bowls (usually 2-4), which can be either shallow or deep, with additional side dryers.
3 Installation of an overhead sink
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4 Installation of a mortise sink
Built-in sinks are designed for installation in kitchen countertops.
The first step is to cut a corresponding hole in the tabletop. In tabletops made of wood and laminated particle boards, we cut out a hole with a wood jigsaw.
For countertops made of stone, conglomerates or composites, special devices are used when cutting holes, so this service must be ordered when purchasing them. It is necessary to indicate the dimensions of the hole and exact location sink installation. The size of the hole for the sink is obtained by measuring the length and width of the apron on the bottom of the sink.
ATTENTION
The hole should be 0.5 cm wider and longer than the apron.
1. The apron serves for stable installation of the sink. Some sinks come with a sample hole for the sink, which you just need to outline on the countertop.
2. Use a jigsaw to cut a hole in the tabletop.
3. We insert the seal under the sink, which is included with the sink.
ATTENTION
Wooden and laminated countertops must be protected from moisture after cutting the hole. Cover the edges of the cut hole generously with sanitary silicone. After it dries, you can begin installing the sink.
Steel sinks are fixed in the hole using clamps. The upper part of the mount is attached to holes drilled in the sink apron. Bottom part rests on the bottom of the tabletop. Both parts are connected with a screw. By tightening the screw, we clamp the fastener and fix the sink in the hole.
4. After centering the sink in the hole, screw the first fastener. We don’t twist it all the way, leaving it a little loose.
5. In the same way, screw on the fastening located opposite.
6. Carefully tighten all the fasteners one by one.
7. The last stage of installation is to tighten all the screws one by one so that the entire contour of the sink rests on the countertop.
8. We install the mounting points of the latches in the hole cut out in the countertop in accordance with the drawing attached to the product by the manufacturer of the sink.
9. Screw the clamps into the designated places. There can be from 6 to 12 pieces. 
10. We glue self-adhesive sealing tape along the edges of the sink, which, depending on the manufacturer, is included in the kit or sold separately.
11. Fix the sink by carefully inserting it into the hole in the countertop. First, the tabletop will rest against the edge of the apron on the latch tongues.
12. We apply pressure to the sink at the places where the latches are installed. The tabs will snap into the recesses made on the sink apron. After fixing is completed, you can begin installing the mixer and siphon for draining.
ATTENTION
The precise placement of the latches and the precisely cut hole ensure that the sink is properly secured.
If you are interested in how to embed a sink into a countertop, then you have come to the section you need and can learn more about it, with all the installation nuances. But, we warn you right away that this method only applies to countertops made of chipboard - you cannot make a hole in artificial or natural stone using the same method.
But you can insert the sink into a regular countertop in the place you need, and in addition to our story, the video in this article will help you with this.
Built-in sinks
Installation Methods
First of all, let's define what a built-in sink or sink is, and if you need to cut the sink into the countertop with your own hands, then this is the type of container we are considering. But the installation itself when inserting may differ, that is, it can be either overhead or built-in.
Overhead models may have different shapes, but they always have a horizontal edge that rests on the countertop - it is thanks to this that the sink is fixed - it is superimposed. In addition to the horizontal sides, there may be a corrugated pedestal in the form of a small table - it is intended for storing dishes when washing.
But, to the tabletop with glue and/or various clamps - it all depends on the design of the model. With this installation option, the sides of the sink never rise above the countertop - they can be either at the same level (flush) or slightly lower, as shown in the top photo. Such sinks are made of stainless steel, natural or artificial stone (granite, marble) and even ceramics (faience, porcelain).
We cut in the sink
- Now we will figure out how to properly embed a sink into a countertop and to do this we will show you in photographs one of the complex insertion options, when the sides are below the level of the countertop.
- When the place of the cut is blocked by the sides and is not visible, but in this case, this cut will be obvious, therefore, it must be made with perfect accuracy. To do this, we will need a template, which can come with the sink, or you will need to make it yourself.
- Select the desired place on the tabletop where the insertion will take place (it is best to do this using a tape measure) and secure this template there with clamps so that it does not get knocked down during work. Please note that the instructions require maintaining a distance from the edge of the tabletop - it must be at least 50 mm (this is for a safety margin).
- In order for the cut to be beautiful and even, we will not use an electric jigsaw, but a milling cutter with an end cap. The insertion (selecting grooves) will be done in three passes and now we will need to go through the first level.
- Now we need to remove the sharp upper edge of the cut, and we will do this with the same cutter, but with a 2-3 mm radius nozzle. Of course, you can remove such an edge manually - with the same rasp - but working with a milling tool is the most accurate, and that’s exactly what we need.
- Now we select a groove from the bottom side - this is where the sink will be placed; as a rule, such work is done with a milling cutter in three passes. After this, you will need to sand the cut by hand to the desired level of shine - the more shiny it is, the better it will look. Now the entire cut surface needs to be wiped with some solvent or isopropyl alcohol to remove the adhesive joints of the chipboard.
- For installation we will use polymer adhesive based on modified silane - its price is quite affordable, but the effect is excellent. Turn the countertop over with the wrong side up, apply glue to the selected grooves and carefully lower the sink there.
- Now, for a clear fixation, you need to press the sink with clamps for 12 hours, just be sure to place some kind of spacers in the places of pressure (you can use pieces of a cut-out countertop).
- After 12 hours, remove the clamps and stabilize the fixation on the underside of the sink along its perimeter- Two-component adhesives such as epoxy resin are well suited for this.
- This connection hardens quite quickly., and stick foil tape around the perimeter on top of the frozen mass, which is needed for waterproofing. Now turn the tabletop over to its original position - when you knock around the perimeter of the sink, you will see glue residues - carefully remove them with a knife.
Recommendation. Until the countertop and the sink glued to it are installed on the cabinet frame, you need to attach the siphon and faucet.
At this stage, such work is much easier to do than after the final assembly of the furniture.
Friends, good afternoon. If you are faced with the task of installing a kitchen sink, but you don’t know how to do it, then this post is for you.
WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN CHOOSING A DROP-IN SINK
Kitchen sinks vary in shape, material, type and price. Most often, a mortise metal sink is purchased for a kitchen set.
If your choice falls on just such a sink, then pay attention to the following points:
- It is better if the size of the sink is smaller than the size of the cabinet itself (in fact, it is possible to embed the sink into a smaller cabinet, but this is more troublesome);
- It is better if the thickness of the metal of the sink is at least 0.8 mm;
- A soundproofing pad should be glued to the bottom, on the outside, or the entire outside of the sink should be covered with a special soundproofing compound. This is done so that the sound of falling water is more muffled;
- A deep sink is always more convenient;
- Pay attention to the complete set of the sink;
- The sink should not be crooked or propeller-shaped;
- Pay attention to the sink mounting. The fastening metal should not be soft;
- The sinks come with left and right wings;
- Chinese analogues of sinks are 2 times cheaper or more than European ones.
HOW TO CORRECTLY MARK A DRINK UNDER THE WASH
On the Internet, this point is written minimalistically and smeared, something like this: “Mark correctly and cut out with a jigsaw.” Let's look at how to properly mark the drinks under the sink.
For example, you bought a round sink and you need to cut it into the cabinet at 800 mm. If a template is included with the sink, then everything is simple, but if it is not there, then we do the following.
STAGE 1. Looking for a location
The first task is to decide where it is best to place the sink. Let me explain - in our example, the sink is round, 51 (or 49) cm in diameter, and the cabinet itself is 80 cm, therefore, it can be moved to the left or right, or embedded in the center.
When marking the sink, pay special attention to the corner version (90 gr. version) of the kitchen, since the convenience of approaching the sink depends on your choice.
STAGE 2. How much to retreat from the wall?
Having decided on the location, place the sink on the countertop with the bottom facing up. Now you need to decide how much you need to retreat from the wall. This point is especially important if your sink is 51 cm deep. If such a sink is placed exactly in the middle of the countertop, then there is a high probability that your saw will pass along the front plank of the cabinet (this depends on the design of the cabinet itself). The easiest way is to place a kitchen plinth against the wall and move 1-2 cm away from it. This place will be the outer edge of the sink.
If the cut line still goes along the body of the cabinet, then you need to either pull off the bar of the cabinet, or remove the tabletop from the body, cut it out and put it back in place.
Take a pencil and outline the outer contour of the sink.
STEP 3. Draw a cutting line
Now we need to decide on the line of the cut itself.
To do this, you need to measure the distance from the outer edge of the sink to the fasteners (fastening ears). Usually this size is 1-3 cm, but it may vary for different sinks.
We already have a drawn line of the outer contour of the sink. Now we measure the just measured distance from it into the future sink and draw the internal contour. This is the cutting line.
Stage 4. Ewing
Using a drill, from inside the contour, next to the cut line, we make a through hole. We do it so that the jigsaw blade can pass through.
Use a jigsaw to cut along the contour of the cut. When cutting, do not rush and do not press too hard with a jigsaw.
It is better to cut with a “Clean Cut” blade. If the sink is rectangular, then to prevent chipping, you can use masking tape. When choosing a file, consider the cutting height.
Stage 5. Preparing the cut
After cutting, you need to process the edges of the cut.
We level the cut with coarse sandpaper and try on the sink with fasteners.
If everything is fine, then we clean the saw cut from dust and coat it with silicone.
Silicone will subsequently prevent the tabletop from absorbing moisture and swelling.
Stage 6. Attaching the sink
Usually the sink is attached to the countertop with the faucet already installed, since doing this under the sink is extremely inconvenient.
The new sink is equipped with a sealing tape, which we glue along the edge of the sink into a special groove. For greater reliability, you can apply silicone along the edge.
We insert the fasteners into the ears of the sink, with the hooks to the countertop, bend them inward and insert the sink into the cut hole.
We move the structure a little so that the sink sits correctly and tightly. We hook the sink to the countertop with fasteners as shown in the figure and use a screwdriver to pull the sink to the countertop. Don't over tighten the washer.
You should not use a screwdriver to tighten the sink, as it is very easy to unscrew the fastening thread.
You can feel the tightening force with your hand, but some fasteners are very weak in tightening.
- If you have more drink under the sink than you need (but not more than the sink itself), then it is easier to secure it with fastenings if you attach plywood inserts from the inside, at the fastening points. We align some edges of the inserts to the sink at the required distance, and screw the others to the countertop.
- Sometimes sink fasteners work well to attach the structure to a thick countertop, but do not attract it to a thin one. Using the same inserts, you can artificially increase the tabletop at the fastening points.
- If all the fastening lugs on your sink have broken off, you can simply glue it with silicone, placing a weight on it while gluing.
- If you have a sink, but do not have fastenings, then you can buy a kit for fastening the sink in the store. Usually it consists of the fasteners themselves and the sealing tape.
- It happens that you pull the sink, and the fastenings either move off the edges of the cut or become unbent. In this case, you can screw the fastener to the tabletop with a self-tapping screw and then the fastener will not move out.
That's all. If you have any questions, write.
Installing a kitchen sink into a countertop plays an important role in the overall design. Carrying out this process with your own hands will not be difficult, even if you have never done this before. If you don’t have enough experience, you should find out, and only then start decorating this part of the apartment.
Necessary materials:
- directly the sink itself;
- silicone sealant;
- pencil for marking;
- masking tape;
- thin drills;
- drill;
- jigsaw
We first strengthen the cabinet with wooden blocks to prevent the sink from sagging inside the cabinet. After this, the upper edge of the cabinet is treated with a moisture-resistant sealant, and the sink is placed on it.
If you have a sliding sink option, then after assembling the cabinet, the sink simply slides into the grooves.
- We are preparing the pattern. If there is no ready-made pattern in the kit, then take a piece of cardboard and trace the sink along the inner contour so that the pattern is slightly larger.
- Attach the pattern to the tabletop with tape. We trace the cardboard pattern, having previously measured it several times. Consider in advance the convenience of the location of the hole for washing. We detach the glued pattern and stick masking tape around the perimeter to avoid damage to the tabletop.
- We drill several closely spaced small holes with a drill with a diameter of 2 mm near the point where the cutting begins. We connect them using a chisel into one large hole. From this place we cut out the wood with a jigsaw.
- We treat the edges of the hole with sealant, insert the sink there and press firmly for 1 minute. We remove the remaining sealant and leave everything until it hardens.
- We connect the hoses, sewerage and mixer to the sink in series. We check for leaks. The sink is ready for use. After connecting the communications, evaluate the condition of the cabinet and, if it needs additional rigidity, tighten it from the inside with strips.
See also video: Installing a sink. Furniture assembly. Embedding the sink into the countertop.
Today a person can install in his kitchen the sink that he likes. And it is not at all necessary to seek help from a specialist specialist; sometimes people decide to carry out a process such as installing a mortise sink with their own hands.
The modern market for plumbing products can offer a wide selection of kitchen sinks. Modern sinks can have a variety of shapes, differ in the materials from which they are made, and come in a variety of colors. However, out of all this variety, it is worth highlighting a stainless steel sink, which is considered the most durable and budget-friendly.
Of course, the service market today is significantly developed and can offer such a service as installing a kitchen sink. But people sometimes prefer to deal with such issues themselves in their home, and it is quite natural if they are faced with the question: how to install a built-in sink yourself?
The most common method of installing a sink in the kitchen, regardless of the material from which it is made, is to embed the sink into the countertop of the kitchen furniture. And in order for the process of installing a sink with your own hands to go flawlessly, you need to follow some rules and recommendations.
Tool selection and preparation
To embed a sink into a kitchen countertop, you may need the following tools:
- pencil for markings;
- roulette;
- construction corner;
- Phillips screwdriver;
- well sharpened knife;
- jigsaw with saw;
- electric drill with a metal drill with a diameter of 10 mm;
- self-tapping screws 4x30;
- universal or plumbing sealant;
When installing a sink with your own hands, it is important to prepare everything necessary tools, so as not to waste time searching for them while working.
Making the markings
The key to a successful result when installing a kitchen sink is the correct and precise marking.
So, the main stages of work:
- First of all, it is necessary to determine the axis symmetrically relative to which the sink will be installed.
- Next, you should consider the distance from the edges of the tabletop. Typically, such indentations are 50 mm from the front edge of the tabletop and 25 mm from the back.
When marking before installing a sink in the kitchen, it is important to remember that the above dimensions are not reference and can be changed depending on the size of the sink itself, the features of the insert, and so on.
- With a sharpened pencil, make marks on the front side of the tabletop, which will indicate the axes and center.
- Next, you should outline the boundaries of the kitchen sink itself.
- In order to determine the distance from the edges of the countertop, the sink should be placed on it with the bowl down and aligned with the markings made by yourself. Without moving the sink, we outline its edges and remove it from the countertop.
Depending on the manufacturer, in order to assemble the sink, it may come with metal or plastic fasteners. It is better if these are metal fasteners. And, before you start installing the sink yourself, you should disassemble these fasteners and install special parts on the sink itself.
Cutting a mounting hole in the countertop
Depending on the shape of the sink, you should make holes in the kitchen countertop. For a round sink you will need to make one hole, and for a rectangular sink you will need to make several holes.
It is important that the hole is located close to the cutting line, but does not touch it, and drilling should only be done from the front side of the kitchen countertop.
The result should be a hole through which you need to cut with a jigsaw yourself. To prevent the kitchen countertop from falling down, self-tapping screws must be inserted into the gap. After the cutout is ready, you need to place a sink next to it to make sure that the actions and markings are correct.
After the inside of the countertop is removed, the sections must be cleaned of dust and covered with a special sealant. It is necessary to use a sealant so that the kitchen countertop does not become soggy when exposed to water.
Sink mount
After the countertop has been cut out with your own hands for the sink, you can begin to attach it. To do this, you need to insert the sink into the hole and secure the fasteners equidistant from each other. It is important to remember that you should not tighten the fastenings completely.
It is important, when attaching the sink, to tighten the fastenings manually, without using any tools, always monitoring the position of the sink.
Then you need to turn the tabletop face down, install the remaining fasteners and tighten them completely. At the same time, the sharp spikes of the fasteners should stick into the tabletop as much as possible so that they can then be filed with a file.
In order to finally assemble the sink, you need to tighten the screws, pulling the sink to the countertop.
As a result of the work done, the sink along the entire perimeter should be pressed to the surface and installed clearly along the marking lines. If excess sealant is visible, it should be removed with a simple clean rag. The sealant dries completely within one day.
How to properly install a mortise sink in the kitchen (video)
Installing a sink in the kitchen is a responsible task and requires patience and skill from a person. However, if you strictly follow all the installation rules, you can do everything in in the best possible way, giving the kitchen interior a finished look.
