Advice for replacing a sink?

7 years ago

We are purchasing a house that is near perfect for us, except for the stainless sink in the kitchen. It is rusting (?) and generally looks awful (and in a 2.5 year old house really stands out.) Additionally, we prefer Blanco Silgranite, or Fireclay, or pretty much anything other than stainless. We've never liked the look of stainless. The sink is a single bowl undermount, installed in a granite countertop.

So here is the dilemma -- we live in a small resort area in the mountains that is experiencing a HUGE building boom. Getting a contractor that specializes in counters/sinks is not a possibility. Even if I can find someone with that specialized knowledge, they are all too busy with new home construction. So I think we will have to work with our local "handyman/jack-of-all-trades" to replace the sink, which for a basic sink replacement doesn't sound too bad. My concern is finding a sink of the right size to fit the existing cutout of the granite which is 30" x 16.75". Also, does the replacement sink need to have the same drain placement (the existing sink drain is in the middle, not offset.)

I really like this Blanco sink: https://www.blanco-germany.com/en_us/en_us/sinks/product_catalog/sink.html?sid=BLANCO+DIAMOND+Super+Single+Bowl+undermount&filter=true#pros but I don't know if the offset drain would work, and the dimensions appear to be 30.5 x 16.5, so it would have a positive reveal at the front and back, and negative reveal on the sides... That would look weird

This one: https://www.blanco-germany.com/en_us/en_us/sinks/product_catalog/sink.html?sid=BLANCO+PRECIS+Super+Single+Bowl&filter=true#colors is 30 x 17, so would have a slight positive reveal at the front and back, and match precisely at the sides, and the drain would match the current configuration, so seems like a good bet. It seems like the best option in the Blanco line. Thoughts?

Can someone with experience at these things (Joseph Corlett, oldryder, and the like, are you out there?) give me the best way to approach this or suggestions for other places/sinks? I will of course confirm anything I plan to purchase with our handyman before purchasing.

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PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

7 years ago

MountainView:

Get the sink and drain placement you please; the lines are easily changed. It's best to loosen any mechanical fasteners, but if you can't get access, I've driven them out with a stiff scraper between the stone bottom and the sink flange. You can ruin them because you'll strap the sink in place with a Hercules Universal Sink Harness (Braxton Bragg) or a couple Sink Straps (Regent Stone Products).

Yes, the reveals will be off. So what? Better unmatched reveals than a double bowl sink.

This job takes me about 4 hours, plumbing included.

Link this to your handyman, please.

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Comments (6)

homechef59
7 years ago
I've got a similar problem. New home, crappy undermount stainless sink and long expanse of granite countertop. No Joe Cortlett nearby. (I'd get in line to wait for Joe) Who do I call? What type of tradesman am I looking for? Where am I most likely to find one?
User thanked homechef59
Shannon_WI
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I can't answer your question, but for the time being, a 2-minute scrub with BarKeepers Friend (available at any supermarket, Target, etc.) will remove the rust and make the sink look fine until you can replace it.

I know that Joseph Corlett has posted in the past about how to remove an undermounted sink for replacement. I'd do a search for those posts; it might take a while (try both google search and the Houzz search), but once you find them, you will have your answer.
User thanked Shannon_WI
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User
Original Author
7 years ago
Shannon - yes, Barkeepers Friend is definitely called for! It's a little odd that everything else in the home looks brand new, and very well kept (this is a second home and it wasn't used a lot) and the sink is just a bit of a nightmare. Let's hope the BF will make it more respectable until we can get it replaced.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
Joseph —

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Very helpful.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
That link doesn’t seem to work if you aren’t a member...