How to Install an Under-Mount Sink

Looking for the best tips to install a kitchen sink? Then you’ve come to the right place! For our newest Appliance Educator Blog Series, we’ll be diving into how to install different types of kitchen sinks. Our Appliance Educator will show you all of the installation steps needed for under-mount, top-mount, apron front, and fireclay sinks for your kitchen renovation. If you’re looking for more resources or video tutorials to follow along, be sure to follow our YouTube page!

For demonstration purposes, our Appliance Educator used a pre-cut composite quartz-like counter to mount the sinks on. If you’re installing a brand new counter and need to cut into your granite or concrete counter, we recommend hiring a contractor since that material can be difficult to work on without the proper tools or experience. 

The first sink our Appliance Educator installed was the ZLINE Under-mount Single Bowl Sink. The sink was packaged with the manual, a cut-out template, mounting tools (12 brackets, screws, and anchors), and a microfiber cloth to clean the surface. If you’re installing an under-mount sink onto new cabinetry, be sure to place the sink within the cabinets before installing the counter. This will be much easier than trying to fit the sink into the cabinets after the counter has been installed. 

To mount the sink, our Appliance Educator first had to drill holes on the bottom side of the counter’s surface to fit the anchors into. For this sink, he used a 27/64” drill bit and by following the cutout template, he knew exactly where he needed to drill.

If you don’t have a template, try to space out the mounts as evenly as possible around the four edges of your sink. It’s important that the mount is centered to be secured on both the edge of the sink and the lip of the counter.

Our Appliance Educator used masking tape over the drill bit to measure the depth and prevent the drill bit from going too far into the counter. Once the holes are drilled, use epoxy around the edges of the anchor. If you get any epoxy in the threads, quickly use a q-tip to clean it out. Repeat on all 12 anchors to ensure a secure fit! 

With an under-mount sink, you will need to epoxy around the sink to help with sealing and waterproofing. To hold the sink in place while the epoxy dries, place a 2x4 piece of wood across the center of the counter.

Then, you’ll want to use a long clamp to fasten the sink onto the counter. To do this, you’ll need to pull the clamp through from the bottom of the sink and clamp around the 2x4 over the counter and allow the epoxy to dry. Be sure to wipe off any extra epoxy from the edges for a clean look!

Once the silicone is dried and the sink is secured to the countertop, it's time to install the brackets. With a drill or screw, fasten the screw into the anchor and bracket to hold the sink in place. Be sure to fasten all of the brackets securely along the edges of the sink. 

The next blog in Kitchen Sink Install Series will show you how to install a top-mount sink for your kitchen renovation! Be sure to follow Appliance Educator on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to get the latest updates on our blog series and help you DIY the home of your dreams!

If you have any tips or tricks from your home renovation you’d like to share, leave a comment on our blog or youtube video!

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