Help with my undermount sink!

last month

We are having an undermount sink installed for our new kitchen.

Picture 1 shows how the new sink cabinet looks like before sink was installed.

Picture 2 shows the wood that have been cut (red arrows) so that the sink can fit in. Also 2 pieces of plywood that have been screwed on the sides by the installer to provide support for the sink.

Picture 3 shows the sink being placed with the rims on the new pieces of plywood.

Countertop will be installed next week.

I don't like the way the sink is being installed. I gave the installer the Hercules Universal Sink Harness Kit but he said the plywood pieces he added provide good support for the sink.

Is this the correct way to install an undermount sink? If the sink needs to be replaced one day, how can it be done?

The horizontal piece of wood at the front of the sink is loose, I think it was cut too much.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Featured Answer

PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

last month

"I gave the installer the Hercules Universal Sink Harness Kit but he said the plywood pieces he added provide good support for the sink."

Unlike a HUSH, the plywood pieces cannot push the sink against the bottom of the stone. Mounted this way, with the steel-on-the-flat divider, the sink will sag and leak. It is impossible to make a divided sink flex with a HUSH without violating the laws of physics.

"Is this the correct way to install an undermount sink?"

No.

"If the sink needs to be replaced one day, how can it be done?"

It would be done by popping off the cabinet front and prying off the plywood; a real PIA. Were it strapped with a HUSH, it would be a 20 minute job.

Remove the plywood. Place the sink in the cabinet with the HUSH. Install the top, then have your plumber mount the sink with the HUSH please.

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Comments (10)

PRO
JAN MOYER
last month
A sink mounts to a counter top! What is that? Yes it looks all wrong,

What is the top, what is the cabinet size, what is the sink size ? Why is your sink not at the STONE fabricator for the cut out, which no fabricator of quality would skip? as no...they don't love the template, they want the actual sink,,,,,,,,,,,
Elizabeth L. thanked JAN MOYER
PRO
KT Builders
last month
Those are just braces for keeping things square during shipping. They get cut out all the time when installing sinks.
Elizabeth L. thanked KT Builders
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s m
last month
"he said the plywood pieces he added provide good support for the sink"

Insist that he remove the added plywood and use the harness kit.
Elizabeth L. thanked s m
Elizabeth L.
Original Author
last month
@JAN MOYER. The actual sink was given to them and they did the cut-out in their shop. The inside measurement of the sink cabinet is 33 3/4" and the sink width is 32 9/16" (including the rims)

The countertop was supposed to be installed last week and they brought the sink. The overhang was protruding too much, 1 1/4" - 1 3/8" past the door/drawer, they took back the countertop and will reduce the overhang.
katinparadise
last month
@JAN MOYER, if I remember correctly, both my bathroom sinks and kitchen sink came already mounted to my countertops from the installer. It was all measured when they templated for my countertops. I believe that's the way it's normally done. I think OP is working with a company that doesn't know what they're doing.
Elizabeth L. thanked katinparadise
Elizabeth L.
Original Author
last month
Only my bathroom sink has been mounted. I don't know why the kitchen sink has not been mounted, maybe because the installer wanted to add those pieces of plywood on the sides to support the sink. And full payment is required before they do the installation!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
IMO you had better get a pro who knows what the heck they are doing and no you do not pay until the job is done Joesph is the resident pro on here and IMO how to install has been expalined by him if you wish to ignore the proper install that is on you. I never pay before work is done and only bad contractors ever ask to be paid before the work is done .
Elizabeth L. thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Elizabeth L.
Original Author
last month
Thank you all for your feedback.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC. Can you please confirm if I understand it correctly as follows:

1. Remove all pieces of plywood that were added by the countertop installer

2. Install the HUSH

3. Lower sink on to HUSH

4. Install countertop

5:Glue the sink to the countertop

6. Adjust the harness

Is the sink glued by the plumber after the countertop installation or by the countertop installer?

Thanks for your help.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last month
Elizabeth L.:

You are correct. While the silicone sealant between the sink flange and the stone bottom has adhesive properties, it primary function is that of a gasket. Have your plumber do this please.
Elizabeth L. thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC