Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 22, 2019 6:07 pm Hi, who do I get to install an undermount kitchen sink? It will be black granite double sink with side drainer might be thinking of installing it undermount. Builder is going to charge me $470. Sink I supply my own, as they have deducted $149 for the stainless steel top mounted one they provide with the package. Will it be cheaper if I get it done outside? Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 2May 22, 2019 6:55 pm If you undermount a sink the stone mason does it as it's epoxied in place. An undermount sink installation costs more than a drop in because the cut out has to be polished which takes time and the sink itself needs to be epoxied in. Top mounts just have a hole cut and the sink is siliconed down. The plumber or stone mason can install a drop in. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 3May 22, 2019 7:50 pm chippy If you undermount a sink the stone mason does it as it's epoxied in place. An undermount sink installation costs more than a drop in because the cut out has to be polished which takes time and the sink itself needs to be epoxied in. Top mounts just have a hole cut and the sink is siliconed down. The plumber or stone mason can install a drop in. I am just wondering if I go with the drop in, can I later change it to undermount if I wanted to for the same sink? Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 4May 22, 2019 8:48 pm No. The cut out for drop in is bigger than undermount and is typically a much rougher cut as you never see the edges. You'll need to make the decision up front. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 5May 22, 2019 10:38 pm chippy No. The cut out for drop in is bigger than undermount and is typically a much rougher cut as you never see the edges. You'll need to make the decision up front. But in reverse, could I do the undermount first then if don’t like it go with the overmount. On a another note is there is a crack or leak from an undermount sink on an Essastone benchtop, how is it replaced or repaired? Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 6May 22, 2019 11:06 pm Technically you could but your going to struggle to remove the sink (it's epoxied in place) and it may be damaged trying to get it out to top mount it. As far as leaks or cracks go, fortunately they are few and far between but if you had an issue with the sink it would have to be removed to replace it which is a lot harder undermounted. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 7May 23, 2019 2:49 am chippy Technically you could but your going to struggle to remove the sink (it's epoxied in place) and it may be damaged trying to get it out to top mount it. As far as leaks or cracks go, fortunately they are few and far between but if you had an issue with the sink it would have to be removed to replace it which is a lot harder undermounted. So for undermounted for cracks replacement, it’s hard but can be removed and another one can be put in its place and epoxied again? Or will the bench top be damaged having to change the bench top as well? 😱 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 8May 23, 2019 10:00 am Correct. When a sink is top mounted all the weight is carried on the lip around the outside and silicon is used just to keep it in place. Once it's undermounted all the weight of the sink, water, and dishes is held by the adhesive (epoxy and silicon) so you can imagine that it has to be stuck in well. If you happen to damage your sink then the epoxy needs to be cut away. It would be messy and hard work but doable. The inside edge around the polished edge is only siliconed so that seen edge would be fine. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 10May 23, 2019 2:28 pm amilelka It's better to have the builder do it straight away. That way any issues with either the sink or the stone are covered by the builders warranty. Builder said because it is owner supplied sink, they will do the installation for a fee and if any issues they will sent their plumber out to check. If it is installation issue they will rectify it. But if due to sink itself then they won’t. Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 11May 23, 2019 4:54 pm That's fair enough. If they were supplying the sink then they would cover the lot. They are charging you to basically upgrade the installation to undermount so will cover any issues that arise from the actual install but as you are providing the sink then any warranty claim on that is between you and whoever you purchased it off. That's one of the challenges with not getting things through the builder. While I'm sure you are getting it much cheaper you carry the risk if something goes wrong. The builder will wash their hands of it and leave you to deal with the issue. You need to weigh up the cost savings versus any possible risk. Or just top mount it and it shouldn't add any cost from the builder and makes replacement easy if you do have a problem. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 12May 23, 2019 8:51 pm chippy That's fair enough. If they were supplying the sink then they would cover the lot. They are charging you to basically upgrade the installation to undermount so will cover any issues that arise from the actual install but as you are providing the sink then any warranty claim on that is between you and whoever you purchased it off. That's one of the challenges with not getting things through the builder. While I'm sure you are getting it much cheaper you carry the risk if something goes wrong. The builder will wash their hands of it and leave you to deal with the issue. You need to weigh up the cost savings versus any possible risk. Or just top mount it and it shouldn't add any cost from the builder and makes replacement easy if you do have a problem. Builder don’t have the sink I wanted. Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 13Apr 18, 2020 12:10 am Do under mount sinks to stone need mounting clips? Surely all the weight of water/dishes over time will cause the silicone to fail? And the sink will collapse? Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 14Apr 18, 2020 12:21 am There are also integrated sinks which still sit on the lips, but the sink itself is levelled out to stay on exactly the same level as bench top. Requires cut edges to be accurate and smoothened too. Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 15Apr 18, 2020 12:25 am Mounting clips are used on top mount sinks not undermount. Undermount sinks are held in place with epoxy resin and sealed with silicon. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 16Apr 18, 2020 7:43 am Its interesting you say that about under mount sinks as everything on the internet says otherwise, installation videos/instructions etc. We have just asked our friends built with metricon and that has mounting clips to their under mounts. Is there any reason why you wouldn't use them chippy? Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 17Apr 18, 2020 10:09 am Every stone mason I work with epoxy the sinks in. Some will epoxy the sink and some epoxy pieces of stone to the underside of the bench that lip under the sink. As the stone is only 20mm the last thing you or the stone mason will want to do is cut or drill into it to help attach a clip. You run the risk of damaging the stone Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Installation of undermount kitchen sink 18Apr 18, 2020 5:08 pm Okay thanks for the information chippy. much appreciated. Have had stone benches with undermount sink (kitchen) and drop-in (laundry) and top-mounted basin (bathrooms) for coming up 13 years and not one chip/scratch of any kind.… 2 9680 I need to replace the worn mohair seal on my sliding window, but I can't get access to the end to slide the old one out & push the new one in. I could probably rip the old… 0 5202 Thanks Simon, I guess I'm no concerned with the volume of the noise rather that dead and hollow sound and feel that is associated with floating floors. But I'm not sure… 3 6164 |