Did your old utility sink get damaged? Or, are you bored with the old one and want to upgrade it with a new one? No worries! This blog post will help you learn how to replace a utility sink in no time.
But before diving into the replacement method, we will discuss some important topics about utility sink and replacement work.
Table of Contents
What is a utility sink?
Before replacing the utility or laundry sink it is very important for you to know what a utility sink is.
There are so many things that you should consider before replacing the old sink with a new one.
Replacing the old one means you have to buy a new one. So, first, know about the installation style and material of the utility sink which would suit your space and need. And then buy a new one for your laundry room.
If you want to beautify your laundry room space or basement then make sure to buy a quality utility sink and utility sink faucet which suits that particular area.
How much would it cost for Replacing a Laundry Sink?
Honestly speaking it would cost you a high expense!
Let’s calculate one by one:
- The average price of the utility sinks or laundry sinks ranges from $40 to $200.
- The average price of a quality sink faucet is $150. But some good quality faucets cost less too. Click here to know more about the utility sink faucet.
- Lastly, if you hire a plumber for doing this work then it would cost you a minimum of $100 or $200. Moreover, if your old sink needs Air Admittance Valve (AAV) then the plumber charge can range from $500 to $1000.
So, if we sum up the average price of sink ($200), faucet ($150), and plumber ($200) then the replacement work will cost you about $550.
But by learning the replacement procedures of the old sink, you can easily save up to $200 (fees of the plumber) and more.
So, let’s dive into the materials and tools that you need to do that work.
Tools Required for Replacing a Utility Sink
- Crescent wrench
- Lubricant
- Pipe wrench
- Tubing cutter
- Piece of scrap wood
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Stainless steel wood screws or tapcons
- Hole saw
Materials needed for this Project
- Small bucket or bowl
- Utility sink
- Faucet
- P-trap kit (1-1/2 inch)
How to Replace a Utility Sink within 15 to 30 Minutes
I hope you know the meaning of the word replace, right?
Replace means to remove the existing product and installing a new one.
So, for replacing a utility sink, first, you have to remove the old basement utility sink or laundry room sink, and then you have to install a new one.
First: Remove the Old Sink and Faucet
Step-1
Begin with shutting off the water valves which are connected with your utility tub.
Mainly, there are two water valves; one valve is cold water and another is hot water.
For turning off the water valves, you have to rotate the handle of the valves in the clockwise direction.
Tip-1: If you cannot rotate the handles with your hand then use a crescent wrench or pipe wrench.
Tip-2: If the handles of the water valves are stuck, then put some lubricant oil over them and let them soak for few minutes.
And then with the help of the crescent or pipe wrench, turn off the valves by rotating them in the clockwise direction.
Step-2
Now turn on the both water knobs and let the remaining water flow out as much as it can.
Tip-1: You have to turn on the knobs to make sure that you have turned off the water valves connection properly. And it will also help to flow out the remaining water.
Tip-2: If the water keeps flowing out from the sink faucet, then you need to tighten the valves properly.
Step-3
Now it’s time to disconnect the faucet from the sink.
For doing this job, you have to disconnect the water supply line of the faucet connected to the hot and cold-water valves by loosening and removing the nut that holds them together.
Tip: Put a small bucket or bowl for preventing the water from splashing all around the floor.
Step-4
Now take the pliers and loosen and remove the slip nuts on the P-trap which secures both the tub drain and home drain line.
Tip: Keep a big bucket under the P-trap for holding the water of the P-trap in it.
Step-5
Now remove the nuts which have clamped the faucet with the sink and then remove the faucet from the tub or sink.
Step-6
Lastly, remove the old sink:
Lift the sink slowly from the floor. And make sure the tub is not screwed into the floor.
If the tub is screwed or bolted into the floor then unscrew or unbolt the tub first and then lift the tub without damaging the drain lines and water pipes.
Second: Install the New Sink and Faucet
Now what?
You know it, right? Don’t you!
We’re pretty sure that you are very excited to install your new sink. Oh, wait… only the new sink? Or, you got a new faucet too?
If you got a new faucet with the sink too then we’re sure that you are double excited. So we are!
Here are the easiest steps:
Step-1: Drill holes in the sink tub
First, locate the punched or marked hole in your new sink. If there is no marked area for drilling holes then you have to drill them using a hole saw.
- You have to drill two holes; one for the faucet and another for the soap dispenser.
Note: Drilling hole for soap dispenser is not mandatory. If you don’t want to drill a hole for the soap dispenser then you can avoid it.
- For drilling the hole in the new sink, take a required size hole saw.
Step-2: Connect legs and base
- Turn the sink upside down and connect the legs (if your sink has) with the sink tub.
- If you get the need to hammer the legs with the sink tub then keep a piece of scrap wood between the legs and hammer.
Step-3: Install the faucet
For installing the faucet, don’t you need to make your sink stand up first? Of course!
So, make your sink stand up on its own legs. And then install the new faucet and seal the base of the faucet with the sink tub using the silicone caulk if needed.
Step-4: Mount the sink properly
After installing the faucet, soap dispensers, and legs with the sink tub, now place the sink at the right location.
- After placing it at the right location, mount the sink tub to the wall studs using the stainless steel wood anchor. You need to anchor the sink with the wall studs to make sure that the sink is secured and safe.
- Now you have to connect water supplies with the sink faucet and tighten the nuts properly. And you need to tighten the nuts using a wrench or crescent pliers.
Step-5: Connect the drain lines
Now connect the two drain lines (Sink tub drain line and home drain line) using the P-trap. And for fitting new plastic drain lines with the P-trap, you can use a hacksaw.
After connecting both the drain lines with the P-trap now nut those properly using the original slip nuts.
Step-6: Start using the new sink
Now turn on the water valves and start using the new sink and faucet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Question-1: How much time it requires to replace an old sink?
Answer: It requires only 15 to 30 minutes to replace an old sink.
Questions-2: What should be the size of the faucet hole?
Answer: There is no fixed size for the faucet hole because each different faucet needs a different sized hole. But the standard sizes for the faucet hole are 1-1/2 inch and 1-3/8 inch.
Question-3: Which size hole saw do I need?
Answer: You need a hole saw sized 1-1/2 inch or 1-3/8 inch in diameter depending on the sink faucet.
Replace and Save Money
Congratulations! You have learned how to replace and save money at the same time.
It is better to spend few minutes learning rather than spending thousands.
If you want to replace your basement utility sink or laundry room sink by saving up to $200 then this article is the best one for you!
Simply, learn how to replace a utility sink and then spend nothing but only 15 to 30 minutes to replace the old utility sink with a beautiful one. And if you are able to do so, it’ll make us happy. And we will consider that all our efforts didn’t go to vain. So do not forget to inform us about your working progress!