Thursday, October 27, 2016

19 Laundry Room Update: Installing a Drop-in Sink

Last week I shared a jumbo sized update we made to our laundry room, and it has already made such a positive impact in how we use the space.


It all started with the desire to streamline the look of the room, and more importantly, improve the overall functionality. The goal was to add a full counter for folding, as well as a large sink for washing everything from dishes to special care garments.


Our previous sink was a stock utility basin, which over 15 years of use had become layered with so much grime I couldn't even tell you the original color any longer. 

We pulled the old sink out a few months ago, and I had zero idea the impact that would make. It really was a chance to belt out some "Don't know what you got, 'til it's gone..." #singitwithme  But now we are singing happier tunes, because we once again have an installed sink with running water, and this one is much cleaner!


This was our first DIY plumbing installation of this nature, and we found it to be easier than expected (does that ever happen in DIY?). Here is how it all went down.

We had experienced a little bowing from an inexpensive laminate counter we previously used in our laundry room, which was ultimately due to a lack of proper support. This made us leery to ever install laminate again, however, in a laundry room in our type of home, it is what financially made the most sense. We ordered two pieces from Home Depot and they were delivered weeks later. We placed the piece onto the base cabinet and realized that they added a lip, although the intention was for the piece to only span the exact distance of the sink cabinet due to the built-in washer/dryer arrangement (and therefore have no lip/overhang). Before we could install the sink, we needed to reinforce the entire piece with some solid pieces of wood around the underside of the counter.


Once the counter was reinforced and affixed to the base cabinet, it was time to measure twice (or more) and prepare to cut once.


A template arrived with the sink I had purchased, but after cutting it out, we realized it was completely the wrong size. Good thing we checked it against the sink before making our counter cuts, or we would have been in big trouble.

Tossing out the incorrect template, it was time to do some good ol' fashion measuring ourselves. The sink had a lip on the underside, and we measured and transferred our diagram to the top of the counter accordingly.


We placed strips of blue painter's tape on the counter, then used a Sharpie to draw our cut lines on top of the tape. The painter's tape was used to minimize any rough cuts from our jigsaw.


To create a starting point for the jigsaw blade, we used a spade bit with our drill, drilling a hole in an inside corner of the template.



Then carefully followed our pre-drawn cut lines with the jigsaw.


It was helpful to use the spade bit to drill a hole on all four corners to get the most accurate cuts.

After three of the four sides were cut, we attached a board to the top of the cut piece to prevent it from crashing down into the cabinet while the final cut was being made (it also kept the entire piece supported for the jigsaw to easily glide to the end as well).


Then after the cutout was removed, we did a quick fit test and celebratory high five.


We lifted the sink back out, removed the painter's tape, and placed a bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the cut prior to re-setting the sink (the caulk goes on white and turns clear).


With the sink back in place, we filled a large bucket of water and set it inside of the sink to provide added weight while the caulk dried overnight. We were also quick to wipe away any of the silicone that came out around the edges.


Speaking of, that is one of the best parts of the sink; a large mop bucket fits inside with room to spare!



After the sink was set and the caulk was dry, we installed the remainder of the plumbing, including the new pull down faucet.




Overall, we are really happy with the sink and faucet we purchased. I am a really big fan of a chrome finish for faucets as I find it to be the easiest finish to keep clean. And the sink is ridiculously awesome because of the size and sleekness. My only criticism of the sink is that it won't be as easy as the faucet to keep clean... it seems to attract watermarks.


Now that the space is functioning big and running the way we have been dreaming of for years, we are on the hunt for some wood shelves and a backsplash! And maybe a little under-the-sink organization. #thatsmyfavoritepart



19 comments:

  1. We are about to buy a house that has a HUGE mud room and it has a sink in it. I am so excited about it. Now the current sink in it is not really all that pretty and I am going to change it out in time. But I am really looking forward to having it.

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  2. Really beautiful!! Thanks you for inspiring me with this post & pictures

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  3. This looks great! Love that shiny sink. I have always been scared of plumbing projects but you may have just inspired me to tackle one that I have been putting off forever. :)

    Kate / KateDecorates.co

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  4. I love the new updates. If you want to reduce the water spotting issue, shine the sink up really well and then polish it with car wax (nufinish does a pretty good job and seems pretty durable for use on household items). Just follow the directions for the product. The water will bead up and roll right down the drain. :)

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  5. So many of my clients have these new sinks and they are just awful for water marks, and it's gets worse over time!! The above comment suggested car wax, I am totally looking into this. I saw Scotchbrite has a product sponge for Stainless Steel Sinks, I wonder if that would work?? As always though, your project looks awesome!! I admire your ability to DIY!!

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  6. Well that's just the prettiest laundry sink I've ever laid eyes on!! Our laundry room right now is a little nook off of our kitchen with just enough room for the washer and dryer. Which is a huge pain with a family of five!! But I've made a deal with myself. I have to last through 2020 in this house and get as many home improvements done to it as we can. Then, if we can find a renter, we can build a modular home in a different town either one county up or one county down. So, until then, I will live vicariously through you

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  7. Can I recommend CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner? works great on stainless sinks! We are replacing an old laundry sink soon, so thanks for the inspiration!

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  8. Looks great! I'm getting ready to install washer/dryer in a closet. I'm curious about the scrub brush in the ceramic(?) holder on the sink. Where did you get it? Thanks!

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    1. Hi Maggie!

      The scrub brush and holder are from Amazon: http://amzn.to/2e8Nfl2
      I am a huge fan!

      Jen

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  9. Haven't visited your blog in a while. Your laundry room looks great!!! Aren't those laundry sinks a wonderful thing? :) We did that a few years ago... added the plumbing to add the drop in laundry sink, bought matching cabinets for above the washer/dryer (ours are on a pedestal so no counter :( ), tiled the floor, swapped out the light, and added beadboard. And we swapped out the flush, hollow core doors for raised panel, solid doors. I like it much better now.

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    1. It sounds absolutely fantastic! I bet it makes laundry a tiny bit more enjoyable now too! I am a huge believer in loving and feeling good about spaces that work hard!

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  10. If you give your sink a coat off car wax ( we use turtle wax )once in a while, it is easier to keep clean.

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  11. Beautiful. I love your washer and dryer too. Do you like it? What brand is it? I'm in the process of purchasing a new set. So many options out there.

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  12. Love this! We are redoing our laundry too and would live to use your sink. The link is not working. Do you know the name perchance?

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    1. Hi Jannell! Thanks for the link heads up, I updated the post: http://bit.ly/2t5s1wE. We used the Water Creation SSS-TS-2522A Single Basin Drop In Kitchen Sink.

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  13. When cutting out for the sink did you include width for faucet or is the faucet mounted through both the sink and counter top ?
    Thanks Brent

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    1. Hi Bret,

      Our faucet installed through the sink, but there are sinks without a space for a faucet and the faucet would then have to be drilled through the counter separately. It really depends on the design and the fixtures you select.

      Best,
      Jen

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