Bath bowl sinks are designed to last, but accidents can cause the porcelain or ceramic finish to chip. A number of different sink sorts are available, from top-set to undermount, and while there are some slight differences in setup protocols, the overall fundamentals are the same, so you can easily replace a chipped bathroom sink without needing elaborate tools or special abilities.
Pipes
Before you get started, make sure the water is switched off. That is accomplished under the sink inside the vanity in which the supply lines into the sink attach into the pipes coming from the wall. As a general rule, unless you’re changing the style of sink, then reuse the water lines that are attached to the original sink, in addition to the drain. Detach everything and keep tabs on the assembly sequence so that you can reattach everything in the same manner once you’ve replaced the sink. The only time you want to change plumbing is if you’re changing sink sorts, and even then it’s still possible to use the old assembly for a guideline of how to properly attach the plumbing.
Top-Mount
Most top-mount sinks are put in a bed of vinyl adhesive that runs around the rim, or edge, of the sink since it sits at the top of the countertop. There might also be clips on the bottom of the countertop that have to be loosened also. A flat utility knife easily cuts through the silicone adhesive holding the sink set up. From there, pry it up and away from the countertop with a flat-head screwdriver. Be cautious when prying up the sink so that you don’t damage the countertop material itself. If you are replacing the sink with the specific same model, leave the clips in position; otherwise, remove them to make room for any fresh clips required with a new sink model.
Undermount
Undermount sinks are tricker. In some cases, they may be impossible to remove without remodeling the entire countertop. First, assess the bottom of the dressing table and look for any clips, bolts or other mounting hardware holding the undermount sink in place against the bottom side of the countertop. Loosen these and check to see if the sink is merely stuck to the countertop material with silicone caulk, in which case you are able to cut it free just as with a top-mount sink. Sinks that are epoxied in place, on the other hand, cannot be removed without breaking the countertop, and should you want to replace the sink, then you’ll have to replace the entire countertop.
Installation
Installation of a new sink reverses the elimination procedure, with the exclusion of larger sinks or distinct models that need larger holes. In these cases, you must use a reciprocating saw with a suitable blade dependent on the countertop material to stretch the hole consequently. Top-mount sinks are put in place and stuck with a silicone caulking and then secured down with clips from the bottom of the countertop Undermount sinks are pasted to the bottom side of the countertop and then any associated clips or mounting hardware tightened to hold it in position. From there, attach the plumbing and allow the sink 24 hours to dry before using.