Choosing Countertops for an Undermount Sink
The best thing about undermount sinks is that they can be used with any type of stone countertop. Whether you have a marble countertop, a quartz countertop or a granite countertop, undermount sinks can be installed without any problems.
It's best practice to wait 24 hours after your countertops are installed to set up your new sink. Do you install countertops before appliances is an important question to ask before you begin your kitchen renovations. Make sure to measure and re-measure and lay down tarps so you don't ruin other kitchen appliances.
Replacing a drop-in sink is easier as there are fewer additional holes in the countertop and will save you money. It is, however, more difficult to replace this sink with an undermount sink. If you choose to replace your old drop-in with an undermount sink, keep in mind the edges of the counter cutout will show.
In short, yes, it is possible to replace a kitchen sink without replacing the countertop. However, in order to prevent any damage from occurring to the countertop, it's recommended that a professional handle the replacement.
Some say drop-in is generally the best option because it's easier to access all parts of the sink for cleaning. However, both types of sinks tend to accumulate grime along the caulk line where the sink meets the counter. Where an undermount sink rim and counter meet, the caulked gap can be trickier to clean.
These sinks look seamless when installed correctly and increase the amount of usable countertop space. These sinks are attached using brackets and an industrial adhesive. Once an undermount sink is installed it needs to dry for at least 24 hours before the plumbing is reconnected and turned back on.
Stainless steel and solid surfacing make the best material for undermount sink bowls when used with laminate countertops because the adhesives are made specifically to bond to these materials. Finally, it's best to leave this particular project to the pros.
Whether the countertop is fabricated from granite, engineered stone or solid surface material virtually any sink can be undermounted.
Undermount sinks are recommended for granite, solid surface and quartz countertops, but may not be as effective with laminate. They can be more expensive than drop-in sinks.
Can I Hire a Plumber for Undermount Sink Installation? Installing a sink is no small task, so you may want to hire a plumber to ensure it's connected properly and leak-free. Plumbers charge between $45 and $200 per hour on average. Installing a sink only takes about an hour.
Undermount. This type of sink rests below your countertop and doesn't a seam that builds up gunk. Undermount sinks are heavy, and often require a silicone seal between the sink and your countertop. Installations costs between $350 and $1,500.
Sinks are heavy. Since undermount sinks to not have anything above the counter to help carry their weight, they need more support. They also need more solid countertops that don't suffer easily from water damage. This often makes them a more expensive sink than other options and also makes installation more difficult.
The contractor told me that I could buy the larger sized sink because they don't use the clips to install it. He said they don't like drilling into the quartz because of risk of cracking. Rather they can just glue it in place with silicone and/or epoxy.
For best results, it's generally recommended to wait 24 hours after countertop installation before setting up the sink. (Make sure to have a backup plan to keep your bathroom or kitchen supplied with water for those 24 hours.)
So while the product may appear to be cured on the outside it may still be wet on the inside. It takes about 24-48 hours for the product to fully cure all the way through. And in that time, the sink cannot be disturbed.
If you've had granite countertops installed, then you'll need to wait 24 hours before using the countertops. This is because granite needs to be sealed after installation to protect the porous surface from moisture. Quartz countertops can be used straight away as they don't need sealing.
Simply put, yes, you can replace an undermount sink without having to remove the countertop. After the plumbing and garbage disposal are disconnected, the clips that hold the sink to the countertop from below must be removed. Then, the final step is to break the silicone adhesive bond and pull the sink out.
The undermount sink is the more expensive alternative and will also cost more install. Undermount sinks are made to different specifications due to the intricacies of their installation requirements, making them a pricier option.
Marble and granite
In this case, they are ideal for undermount sinks because they also happen to be durable. The fact that they are porous also helps in helping the adhesives bind more firmly with the stones. Despite what most people think, marble is not a “soft” stone.