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.)
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Shopping List for Replacing a Kitchen Sink and Faucet:
- 18-gauge stainless-steel sink []
- Single-lever kitchen faucet []
- Rubber cap [] with stainless-steel hose clamp, for sealing pipe end
- Plumber's putty [], used to water-seal fittings
- PVC pipe and assorted fittings [], for making up the drainpipe
Tools List for Replacing a Kitchen Sink and Faucet:
- Adjustable wrench [], used to disconnect water-supply lines
- Pliers [], for tightening threaded fittings
- Screwdriver []
- Putty knife [], for freeing sink from countertop
- PVC pipe handsaw [], used to cut plastic pipe
- Nut driver [], for tightening hex-head fasteners
- PVC cutter[], used to cut plastic pipe
 
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.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Replace a Kitchen Sink and Faucet | Ask This Old House
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