DIY projects are often exciting and interesting if you love doing them. Some people would always rather try to do some home repairs or installations themselves than pay professionals.
Of course, that is fine if you are, let’s say, capable of doing that if you have the appropriate knowledge and skills. Of course, we must not forget the tools, without which no job, even the simplest, can be done.
However, what about that other part of the population that would never interfere with repairs or installations? We mean people who prefer to pay a guy to do it.
Certainly, they are absolutely right, as well. It is easier to pay than to bother with the purchase of tools if you don’t have them, to analyze how a certain project should be done, and the like. Simply put, home repairs are not challenging for everyone.
Speaking of home repairs, some of the most common are those related to roofing, electrical installations, construction work, but also plumbing work. This last category, plumbing home repairs, is our topic today.
Below we will try to answer the question do you need a plumber to install a sink or you can do it yourself? So, if you’re ready, let’s get started.
1. Hiring a plumber – Pros and cons
Well, when it comes to home repairs, especially those related to plumbing, there is always something that can go wrong. If you are not skilled enough, you don’t know what tools you need, you don’t even know what materials (pipes, seals, etc.) you need, then it is better not to mess around.
In particular, when installing a new sink, there is not too much work with pipes and water, but still, certain skills are required. In such situations, it is better to call a professional plumber who will solve the problem.
Another thing that should be emphasized is the price. Namely, the price of replacing a kitchen sink can range from 100 to 200$, on average.
If you’re looking for the right plumbing service for this project, then our recommendation is to check this. These guys are professionals, and they’ll do the sink replacement quickly, at an affordable price. So, it’s definitely worth checking out.
2. DIY sink replacement – Pros and cons
DIY replacing a sink in your kitchen is a challenging project. As we said before, you need some knowledge of the process, tools, and skills. If you are missing any of this, you need to get it.
When it comes to the process itself, it is important to point out that there are a large number of videos that show how to replace a sink. You can search for it on YouTube.
You can also easily get the tools you need through an online store like Amazon, for example. Usually, this project requires you to have an adjustable wrench, screwdriver, pliers, knife and some water collection container as well as a piece of cleaning cloth.
Finally, we must mention that in case you choose the DIY variant, you save all the money (100-200$) that you would otherwise pay to the plumber.
Hiring a plumber vs DIY sink replacement
After considering the pros and cons of both variants of replacing or installing a kitchen sink, all you have to do is decide. To be honest, for this job you don’t need a plumber with all the videos available, numerous tutorials and all the explanations on the internet.
We will consider that you have the tool mentioned above, that you have watched a couple of videos about replacing the sink, and now you are ready to go. Additionally, we will present a shortened installation process so that if you read carefully, you’ll be able to do the job.
Step 1. Selecting a new sink
Before any further work, you must choose a new sink. Of course, you need to make sure that it fits into your kitchen cabinet. Use the measuring tape to check the measurements and choose a new sink you think will fit the interior. Of course, also check the number of holes, for additional features like soap dispenser, filtered water tap, etc.
Step 2. Removing the old sink
The first step before removing the old sink is to turn off the water supply. If you are not sure where it is for the sink, it is best to turn it off for the whole house.
After that, a great thing that can save you a lot of time is to take photos of the water connections so you don’t have to think about where to attach them later.
You can now open the tap to let the excess water in the pipe out. You can also disconnect the P-trap and water supply connections. If you have a container, it is good to place it under the sink and supply connections so that water doesn’t leak onto the floor.
The last part before removing the old sink is to unscrew the screws that connect the sink counter with metal clips. If you have done so, you should now be able to remove the sink. Remember to thoroughly clean the seals that may interfere with the installation of new ones later.
Step 3. Install a new sink
As you can assume, you now need to do everything you did during the removal, only in reverse order. Of course, if you bought some accessories like a soap dispenser, we suggest you install it before installing a new sink because it is easier that way.
If you have finished it, you can now return the sink, fasten metal clips with screws to the counter, seal new accessories, and parts where water could leak into the kitchen cabinet using plumbers’ putty or silicone caulk.
Finally, connect the water supply, and that’s it. Your new sink is ready to use!
Conclusion
To the question “do you need a plumber to install a sink or DIY?”, the best person to give an answer, is you. Simply, who knows your skills and abilities better than yourself. So, if you think you can do it, then go ahead.
