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What to Know About Kitchen Sink Upgrades
Admin • Oct 26, 2020
Do you need a new kitchen sink? While YouTube tutorials may make this job seem easy, it's not a do-it-yourself plumbing project. Whether your sink leaks or you want to remodel the room, take a look at what you need to know about installation, your home's plumbing system, and how a professional can help.
What Type of Sink Do You Need?
Before you can start the installation, you need to choose the just-right sink for your kitchen. The top residential sink choices include:
- Top-mount sinks. Also known as drop-in or self-rimming, this option is one of the easiest sinks to install. While the edge or rim sits directly on the counter top, allowing the installer to drop it in to a pre-cut space, the plumbing connections will require professional help.
- Undermount sinks. Like the name implies, these sinks fit under the counter top. Some homeowners prefer the clean rimless lines of an undermount model. Without a rim or edge, these are harder to install than a drop-in model.
- Double or dual basin sinks. These sinks have two basins, making it easier to wash dishes or prep food. With two basins, the sink also has two drains. This can make DIY installation a challenge and requires the expertise of a professional plumber.
- Farmhouse sinks. As a single basin sink, the farmhouse style is larger than the average top-mount or undermount options. These sinks have a rustic or vintage charm that sets them apart from other fixtures.
Along with these common types of sinks, some homeowners upgrade to a custom or specialized design. A drainboard sink has an added attached drying area that sits neatly on the counter top, and corner sinks (as the name says) fit into a counter's corner space.
What Type of Faucet and Fixtures Do You Need?
Now that you've chosen a sink, you need to select a faucet and other coordinating fixtures. Like sinks, faucets also come in different sizes, shapes, and styles. The primary types of kitchen faucets homeowners choose include:
- Disk faucet. A disk faucet has a single lever and mixes cold and hot water inside a pressure balance cartridge. You'll need to move the handle/lever side to side to change the water temperature.
- Two-handle cartridge faucet. This type of faucet requires you to turn each handle for hot or cold water.
- Ball faucet. A ball faucet has one handle and uses a washerless system. While these fixtures are popular, they may leak more than disk or other types of faucets.
- Compression faucets. These faucets do what the name implies — and use compression to control the water flow. Like cartridge faucets, these are also available in double-handle styles.
If you're not sure which type of faucet or added fixture (such as a sprayer hose) matches your sink, a plumber can help. The professional can inspect the area, assess your plumbing system, and recommend the right fit for your home.
What Types of Pipes Do You Need?
The choices don't end at what you can see above the counter top level. Along with the sink and faucet or fixtures, your plumbing project may also require new pipes. The common pipes used in residential plumbing projects include:
- PEX. These plastic pipes are used as water supply lines. These flexible pipes fit into small spaces and can curve around corners for easy installation.
- Copper. These pipes are often seen in older homes — but still have modern-day applications. Copper is strong, durable, and will supply you years of fresh, clean drinking water.
- Polypropylene pipe. Also known as PP, this type of pipe is made from a rigid plastic and joined at the seams with heat.
Older home may have galvanized steel pipes or pipes with lead solders. These can corrode and leach chemicals into the water. Ask the plumber to inspect the pipes and replace these leak and safety risks with new plastic or metal alternatives.
Are you ready to replace your kitchen's sink? Contact Art Douglas Plumbing Inc.
for more information.
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