We all know that the kitchen sink constantly faces threats of being blocked by some large and hard food particles. Once it gets blocked, the whole area becomes a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. As a result, your kitchen becomes a home of germs and unhygienic particles.
The reason is, that not everyone leaves an empty plate in the kitchen sink. On top of that when someone opens the tap, the water running with pressure further creates issues and forces down all the food residue into the kitchen sink strainer.
This leads to food particles accumulating in the pipes and hence cause unlimited problems in your sink. And unless you change or install a new sink strainer, your sink doesn’t get fixed. That’s the reason, you need to be very careful while washing dishes and keeping plates in the sink because when it is worn out, it needs to be replaced immediately to reduce more problems.
If you are experiencing the same difficulty on and off, it’s time to install a new kitchen sink strainer. Here we have mentioned detailed steps for installing a new strainer for better, convenient, and hygienic kitchen operations.
Take the Correct Measurements of Sink Strainer
Before you perform sink strainer installation, we would recommend you take correct measurements.
Many kitchen strainers are usually about 3½ inches in diameter. And there will always be a measurement procedure from across the center of the drain, like from one point to another.
You will find a bowl-shaped strainer in the mouth of the drainer. It will also match this exact dimension. And the piece will sit inside the drain’s mouth which will seal it completely.
Steps to Install New Kitchen Sink Strainer
Have a look below and find out what are the common steps involved in the installation of a kitchen sink strainer.
- Disconnect the Pipes First:
Before doing anything, it’s recommended to disconnect the pipes first. Grab a screwdriver, and unscrew all the bolts that join the T-junction. Leave them separated and do not remove the u-bend as the sewer could flock back to the floor.
- Remove the Nut:
Remove the lower nut from the bottom area. When you remove the nut, the tailpiece and the top gasket will become free. Make sure to separate them as well.
- Remove a Larger Nut from the Top:
Once you finish removing the nut, you have done the major part of this job. Now you can easily access the basket strainer.
- Remove the Basket Strainer:
There will be multiple loose smaller units that will fall off in this phase from the top strainer. Don’t worry these parts are also available with your new strainer. So when you purchase the strainer, make sure you get all the required parts.
This means that yes, you can easily discard the parts of the old strainer. You can also discard the old basket.
- Clean the Sink Hole Perfectly:
Before you fix your sink strainer, make sure to clean the sinkholes perfectly from all the sides. You can also use a brush and soft cloth to clean the both bottom and upper area of the sink. Make sure there is no dirt or residue around that area where you will install the sink strainer.
It’s also best to use a sponge for drying out the area before starting with the installation. If there is any dirt, dust, residue, or moisture around the area, then it will hinder the putty from creating a strong bond. As a result, the sink strainer won’t hold in its place properly.
If you are going to replace the strainer, it’s recommended to efficiently scrub off your old putty. You can also use a sharp knife to do the job. It’s better to read all the instructions before installing the sink strainer.
- Fix All the Holes of the Sink (if exist any):
Before you install a strainer to the kitchen sink, you need to repair the holes in your sink because when you neglect the holes, it may cause severe leakage of the sink.
Moreover, it’s best to run a series of tests once you are done with the repairs you can so you can see whether the holes are repaired or not.
If there are too many holes in the sink, it’s better to consider the sink replacement because, at this point, your sink is totally irreparable.
- Dismantle the Strainer Carefully:
Every kitchen strainer is available with fixed parts and components. So, you cannot install it if the strainer is in a fully-assembled condition.
- Apply the Putty and Hold the Strainer in its Place:
This process holds the strainer firmly in its place. But it is recommended to apply a bit more pressure to not distort the wet putty. This may hold your strainer in its place before it tightens with the sink.
- Take off the Extra Putty:
When you screw it back, you will always find the extra putty that starts to come off from the edges. It’s important to scratch it carefully before it starts to dry. It’s also better to use a putty knife to do the job. Make sure you don’t leave any visible scratches in the sink area. You need to clean it thoroughly to remove all the materials and water.
- Attach the Bottom Pipe Again:
Once you are done with screwing back, you need to reattach your sewer pipe so you can complete the overall process. Closes all the connections tightly so you can avoid dropping water while using the sink. After that, complete the plumbing process carefully without causing any problems.
Conclusion:
Installation of a kitchen sink strainer is a difficult process. Many times, people call professionals for help as the process involves lots of complications and steps. However, if you want to save some bucks, you can follow the above steps as they offer a clear guideline for installing a kitchen sink strainer conveniently.
Make sure you handle everything with care. If you want to get detailed information about the process or explore kitchen sink strainer types and finishes, then visit KibiUSA where professionals will guide you thoroughly from start to end.