Installing a fireclay farmhouse sink properly will ensure that your sink will remain useful and worry-free for years to come. Are there any special considerations when installing a farmhouse sink? Hopefully this guide will answer these questions.
Table of Contents
4 Steps to Install a Fireclay Farmhouse Sink:
Materials Needed:
- Several 2×4 planks
- Power saw or handsaw
- Screws
- Drill
- Leveling tool
- Silicone sealant
- Plumber’s putty
- Drain and garbage disposal hookups
- Sheet of plywood
- Pencil and measuring tape
- Sandpaper
1. Build The Support Frame
Step 1:
Measure the dimensions of your sink cabinet’s back wall and sides. Cut four 2×4 planks to fit these dimensions. Two planks will be for the sides and two planks will be for the front and back.
Also cut your sheet of plywood in one large rectangle that will fit snugly inside the sink cabinet.
Step 2:
Measure the vertical dimensions of your sink. Add about 1/8 of an inch to these dimensions, since your sink should sit about 1/8 inch below your countertop.
Transfer this measurement to your sink cabinet, starting from where the underside of your countertop will be and measuring down.
Make a mark within the sink cabinet. This mark is where you will be installing the top of your support frame on which your sink will sit.
Step 3:
Measure the circumference of your sink’s drain hole, and cut a circle of the same size out of the middle of your plywood sheet to make room for your plumbing.
Step 4:
With your drill and wood screws, attach your cut 2×4 planks to the walls of your cabinet. Use a level to make sure they are even. Take your sheet of plywood and rest it on top of these supports like a shelf.
Step 5:
Measure from the bottom of these supports to the floor of your sink cabinet. Cut two 2×4 planks to this height and screw them under the supports like legs. One should go at the front, and one should go against the back of the cabinet wall.
For even more support, measure the distance between the front and back planks, cut another 2×4 to this dimension, and screw it into the middle.
When finished, you should have a small frame that looks like a table within your sink cabinet.
2. Insert Sink
Step 1:
With a helper spotting you, lift your sink onto your support frame and center it on the sheet of plywood.
The sink’s drain hole should match up with the hole in the plywood. If not, remove sink and make adjustments to the plywood.
Step 2:
Push the sink into place, making sure it fits snugly within the cabinet. It should rest in the middle without any huge gaps on either side or at the back.
Use your level again to make sure there is no irregularity. If your sink is not level, it may not drain properly.
Step 3:
Check the support frame to make sure it is securely holding up. If there are any signs of wobbling or bowing, remove the sink immediately and add more 2×4 wood supports to strategic areas.
3. Seal and Caulk
Step 1:
With your silicone sealant, caulk around any gaps between the countertop and sink. This process should create a watertight seal, so be sure to use a generous amount.
Step 2:
Allow sealant to dry according to the product’s instructions. When it is dry, remove any excess that may have accumulated around the edges.
Most silicone sealants can also be filed down when dry, so if there are any sharp edges or small flanges of dried sealant sticking out, file them down with sand paper.
4. Hook Up Drain and Garbage Disposal
Step 1:
Install the sink drain and garbage disposal according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to not tighten your garbage disposal too much, as this could create a vacuum that may damage your sink and plumbing.
Step 2:
Caulk around the edges of the drain or garbage disposal with putty. Make sure you get all the edges so that a waterproof seal is formed. Doing so will prevent any leaks or condensation from occurring later on.
Conclusion
When the sink is installed, you can then hook up the best faucet for farmhouse sink, sprayers or plumbing fixtures that you wish. Creating a sturdy support frame is integral to making a fireclay sink safe to use.
Unlike other undermount sinks, a fireclay farmhouse sink requires this extra step due to its heavy weight, but if the above steps are followed you will have a sturdy sink to enjoy for a long time. In addition, proper cleaning can increase the sink lifetime.
