A Guide to Updating your Laundry Sink
Laundry sinks are multi-purpose units that can be used for everything from the obvious, washing clothes, to the less obvious, such as washing pets and watering plants.
As such central pieces to your laundry, your sink will be subject to substantial wear and tear over the years (especially if your pet isn’t keen on a bath!), meaning you might be thinking about upgrading. Alternatively, you might be renovating your laundry, and have decided that your current sink doesn’t suit the aesthetic you’re aiming for.
Whatever the reason for updating your laundry sink, we’ve put together this simple how-to guide to walk you through the process.
Step 1: Buy a new sink and mixer
Before we get into the DIY side of things, you firstly need a sink and tap or laundry mixer lined up to replace the unit you’re removing.
The products you choose will depend on the design and function you’re hoping to achieve. For example, laundry sinks from Abey Australia come in durable stainless steel, elegant Schock Granite or timeless ceramic, and a countless range of sizes and designs. Each of which offer unique benefits and aesthetics. You’ll also need to choose between drop in and undermount sinks, which we’ll come to soon.
Step 2: Turn off the water and disconnect your sink
Before removing the old unit, you need to turn off both the hot and cold water. To do this, turn the faucet on, and then look behind the sink for the shut-off valve. Turn this valve until the water flow stops.
Once this is done, you next need to disconnect the water supply lines, which are the flexible tubes connecting the sink unit to the water pipes. Before doing this, we recommend placing a bucket underneath the connection point, to catch the remaining water in the pipes. To disconnect the supply lines, you’ll need to loosen the collars at the end of the tubes, for which you’ll require an adjustable wrench.
Step 3: Remove the old sink
Once the sink is disconnected, the next step is to detach the sink from the wall by removing the clips or screws holding it in place.
Step 4: Install your new sink
All that’s left to do now is install your new unit. Exactly how you do this will depend on the unit you’ve bought, and particularly whether you’ve chosen an a drop in or undermount sink:
- Drop in sinks: these sit within the counter, with a lip around the sink which sits on the surface top. If you’re installing this sink type, it’s vital that you take accurate measurements of the hole in the countertop in which the sink will sit, and that the unit is securely held in place. This is achieved by both making sure that the sink lip sits comfortably on the countertop and by clips to keep it in place.
- Undermount sinks: these sit slightly below the countertop, with no lip on the surface. Undermount sinks typically require caulk or silicone as well as mounting clips in order to remain in place. Further adhesive is used to stick the rim of the sink to the underside of the countertop, and supporting clips will help the unit stay in place.
Don’t worry if this sounds complicated, the unit you’ve purchased will come with specific, easy-to-follow instructions, and if in doubt get your trusted plumber over… For more information on the range of different laundry sinks and faucets available from Abey Australia, and how you can make the installation process a breeze, get in touch with our helpful team toda, or stop by your local selection gallery.
