Alexei Volkov
Assembling a big plastic sink is a straightforward DIY project that can be completed in a few hours with the right tools and guidance. The process involves measuring and cutting the countertop to fit the sink, securing the sink in place, installing the faucet and drain, and connecting the water supply lines. The sink can be made of plastic plywood and customized to the desired size and shape. The installation process is similar for both kitchen and bathroom sinks, with slight variations in the parts and connections. The most challenging part is often connecting the sink's drain, which requires careful assembly and adjustments to ensure proper drainage and leak prevention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to moderately difficult |
| Tools required | Basic equipment, adjustable pipe wrench, pipe cutter, pliers, screwdriver, utility knife, bucket, old towel, cardboard, plastic slip nuts, friction ring, gasket, plumber's putty, PVC pipe, PVC primer, PVC cement, threaded connections, dishwasher drain connection, sink coupling, waste pipe, water seals, washers, friction ring, cardboard washer, threaded locknut, water supply lines, plastic or rubber gasket, silicone caulk, sink template, tape |
| Steps | Turn off water supply valves, disconnect P-trap and water supply lines, slice through old caulk, lift out old sink, mark counter's back edge, align and centre sink, trace around sink, cut slab according to sink size, drop in sink, unscrew sink coupling, attach and secure coupling, install waste pipe, place sink tap on tap hole, screw chand washer set, remove plastic protective film, install faucet, screw lock nuts, place gasket, slide cardboard washer, tighten threaded locknut, connect water supply lines, tighten tailpiece nut to P-trap, grab P-trap and screw back into trap assembly, slide end of tailpiece into P-trap, tighten slip nuts, disconnect P-trap on old drain, lift out old drain, apply plumber's putty, prepare new drain, connect sink's drain, assemble trap adapter, cut and dry-fit lengths of PVC pipe, adjust trap or slide on tailpiece, clean cut ends, apply PVC primer, apply PVC cement, reassemble threaded connections, tighten connections |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the sink for installation
Preparing a plastic sink for installation involves several steps, and the process may vary depending on the type of sink and the space it will occupy. Here is a general guide on how to prepare a big plastic sink for installation:
Firstly, ensure you have the correct tools and materials. For a plastic sink, you will likely need screws, caulk or silicone, and a drill for the drainage hole. It is also important to have a clear and accurate measurement of the space where the sink will be installed.
Next, turn off the water supply valves. Locate the two valves under the sink and turn them completely to the right to cut off the water supply. Test that the water is off by turning on the faucet; no water should come out. If water is still running, turn the valves further and check again.
Now, disconnect the P-trap and water supply lines. Place a bucket under the sink to catch any water, then use an adjustable pipe wrench to disconnect the hot and cold water supply lines from the shut-off valves in the wall. Slice through any old caulk around the sink with a utility knife to separate the sink bowl from the countertop. If your sink has a P-trap, disconnect it by loosening the plastic slip nuts. There are usually two nuts on the P-trap that can be loosened manually or with channel-lock pliers.
Before installing the new sink, clean the area. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away any residue or old plumber's putty from around the drain hole and surrounding countertop.
Finally, prepare the new sink for installation. If your sink has a faucet, install it first. Place a plastic or rubber gasket that comes with the faucet onto the sink at the faucet opening. Set the faucet onto the gasket and screw it in place, tightening the lock nuts with your fingers. If your sink did not come with a gasket, use silicone caulk or plumber's putty to create a seal.
Now your big plastic sink is prepared for installation. The next steps will involve placing the sink in the designated space and connecting the drainage.
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Install the faucet
To install the faucet, place the plastic or rubber gasket that came with your new faucet on the sink where the faucet opening is. If your new faucet didn't come with a gasket, spread silicone caulk or plumber's putty around the bottom edge of the new faucet before you place it in the sink. This forms a seal. Set the new faucet onto the gasket and screw it in place on the underside of the sink. Use your fingers to tighten the lock nuts that anchor the faucet to the sink.
If you're using the faucet from an old sink, remove it by loosening the big nut under the sink and disconnecting the supply lines from the hot and cold-water valves. It's fine to install the faucet before you install the sink if it's easier for working with your space. Just make sure the space for the faucet matches the location of the sink, using the template to measure before you install anything.
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Cut the slab
To cut the slab for a sink, you will need to take some careful measurements. The cut-out must be big enough to fit your sink, so measure the width and length of your sink and transfer these measurements to the countertop. It is recommended to leave at least a half-inch space between the sink and the edge of the countertop.
Use tape and a pencil to mark out the cut lines on the countertop. You can use the sink's template, if it has one, or outline the sink location with two-inch tape. Make sure the sink is centred and aligned with the counter's edge. Trace around the sink and then remove it.
Now you are ready to start cutting. The tools you will need depend on the type of countertop material. For laminated countertops, steel, or stone, a jigsaw is recommended. Before cutting, fix painter's tape around the perimeter of the cut-out to ensure a seamless cut.
After cutting, smoothen out the edges with sandpaper. This will help prevent the sink from getting stained by food, drinks, and other sticky items.
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Connect the waste pipe
Connecting the waste pipe is a crucial step in assembling a big plastic sink. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:
Firstly, ensure you have the correct waste pipe for your sink. The waste pipe connects the sink's tailpiece to the waste line, allowing water to drain properly. The process may vary slightly depending on whether your sink has a single or double basin, and whether you are installing a garbage disposal unit.
If your sink has a single basin, the tailpiece will lead directly down to the drain trap, and you will not need a tee fitting on the end of the tailpiece. For a double-basin sink without a garbage disposal, you will need a tee fitting on one basin's tailpiece, with the side outlet accepting a continuous waste pipe from the second basin.
Now, assemble the trap adapter onto the sink-drain tailpiece. Cut and dry-fit lengths of PVC pipe to connect the trap adapter to the P-trap, and the drain elbow to the waste line. The P-trap is the curved section of the pipe at the base of the sink's plumbing. Make sure to adjust the trap or slide it on the tailpiece to fine-tune the pipes' lengths and alignment.
Once everything fits correctly, disassemble the pieces and clean the cut ends with a utility knife. Apply PVC primer to all connecting parts, and then apply PVC cement to both ends being joined. Immediately push the pieces together and hold for 30 seconds.
Finally, reassemble all threaded connections, tightening them by hand. Make sure that the continuous waste pipe and the trap arm slope slightly downward in the direction of the water flow. Check all the drain connections to ensure they are tight, and that the trap is facing the correct way, with the sharp bend below the tailpiece.
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Check for leaks
Checking for leaks is an important step in assembling a big plastic sink. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:
First, ensure that all connections to the mixer tap, including the hot and cold water lines, are tightly secured. Loose connections are often the source of slow leaks. Next, inspect the cartridge inside the mixer tap. The cartridge controls the flow of water, and a bad connection here can cause leaks. If the cartridge is not properly seated or is defective, try reseating it or replacing it with a new one.
Then, perform a dry tissue test. Dry all areas under the sink and the tap connections completely. Use a dry tissue or paper towel to wipe each connection and joint one by one while the water is running. Even the smallest leaks will be identified as the tissue will show moisture immediately. If you suspect a very slow leak, you can try the paper towel test, where you wrap a paper towel around each hose and tape the edges to prevent unraveling. Leave the paper towels overnight and check in the morning to see which hose is leaking.
Additionally, you can perform a food coloring test. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water and run the tap. If the colored water appears at the leak spot, you will be able to trace the exact point of the leak. Finally, check for cracks or defects in the pipes or fittings that might be causing the leak. Ensure proper alignment, as sometimes the connections may seem tight, but minor leaks can occur due to incorrect alignment.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need starboard (plastic plywood), screws, caulk/silicone, a drill, and plumbing tools.
First, cut and assemble the starboard into five pieces to form a tub. Then, drill a hole for the drain and plumb it.
You can cut the starboard using a saw and assemble it using screws and caulk/silicone.
The size of the tub will depend on your specific needs and space constraints. A commonly recommended size is 24" long x 16" wide x 16" deep.
First, place a plastic or rubber gasket on the sink where the faucet opening is. Then, set the new faucet onto the gasket and screw it in place on the underside of the sink.
