A straightforward kitchen sink installation takes two to four hours. Add time if the drain needs rerouting, the shutoff valves are corroded, the countertop cutout needs modification, or a garbage disposal and dishwasher have to be reconnected.
What the Job Involves
- Shut off water and disconnect supply lines, drain, disposal, and dishwasher line
- Remove the old sink and clean the countertop cutout of old sealant and mineral buildup
- Verify the new sink fits the cutout, and modify if needed
- Install the new faucet and basket strainer on the sink before setting it — far easier than working underneath afterward
- Set and secure the sink with proper sealant or clips
- Reconnect drain, disposal, dishwasher line, and supply lines
- Test under full flow and check every connection for leaks
What Adds Time
- Corroded shutoff valves. The most common complication. If the angle stops will not close or leak once disturbed, replacing them means shutting off the house main. In older Albuquerque homes, expect this.
- Countertop modification. A new sink with a different footprint requires cutting — straightforward in laminate, a different job in granite or quartz.
- Drain rerouting if the new sink’s drain position differs from the old.
- Undermount installation, which needs proper support and adhesive cure time.
- Adding a disposal where there was not one, which may require electrical work.
- Old drain assembly that has corroded into place.
Worth Doing While Access Is Open
Replace angle stops and supply lines. They are inexpensive relative to labor you are already paying for, and corroded stops are the most common source of under-sink leaks. Replace the P-trap and tailpiece too if they show corrosion — the whole assembly is usually the same age.
The Local Note
Hard water is why old sink hardware comes out harder here and why new fixtures need protecting. A water softener helps throughout the house.
Contact B. Carlson about kitchen plumbing in Albuquerque.
