The foundation of your sink is your kitchen sink clips. The silicone sealant acts as an adhesive between your countertops, but it lacks the strength to keep your sink in place. The undermount kitchen sink mounting clips are what hold your sink to the countertop, so make sure you install them correctly.
Installing an undermount sink can take a professional around 30 minutes or less. However, completing this home repair project may take a little longer if you do it alone.
Because there is no rim on this style of basin, it must be fixed beneath the countertop. All support is provided by clips or rails inserted in the cabinet. Undermount kitchen sinks are frequently used with quartz worktops, thus, properly connecting these clips and rails can be difficult.
Installing undermount sink mounting clips is necessary to hold the sink in place. These clips are relatively easy to use and can be installed in just a few minutes. This article will show you how to install undermount kitchen sink clips. Let’s get started!
What Holds An Undermount Sink In Place?
Undermount sinks are popular in many kitchens since they provide a sleek and modern look. But how exactly do they stay in place? There are actually several things that work together to keep an undermount sink securely in place.
First, the countertop is cut to create a lip extending slightly beyond the sink’s edge. This provides a ledge for the sink to rest on. In addition, the sink is usually mounted to the underside of the countertop using brackets or clips.
This help distribute the sink’s weight evenly and prevent it from tipping or wobbling. Finally, silicone sealant is often used to further secure the sink and prevent any leaks.
Are Clips Necessary For Undermount Sink?
If you want to secure an undermount sink, there are a few different options for installing the sink in place. Typically, the sink is attached to the counter using a series of clips that fit around the edge of the sink.
These clips help distribute the sink’s weight evenly and prevent the sink from sliding around or coming loose over time. Installing your sink without clips can significantly increase the risk of problems down the road.
Without clips, the entire weight of the sink is resting on a small area of the countertop, which can eventually lead to cracking or breaking. In addition, it is also more difficult to clean around the edges of the sink. For these reasons, most experts recommend using clips when installing an undermount sink.
Step By Step Process Of Installing Undermount Kitchen Sink Clips
Installing an undermount kitchen sink can be a bit tricky. You need to ensure the clips are in the right place and that the sink is level before securing them.
We’ll show you how to install your new undermount kitchen sink using the included clips. We’ll also give you some tips on ensuring everything goes smoothly. Before then, here are the tools you need.
Tools Required
- Utility Knife
- Screwdriver
- Faucet
- Acetone or alcohol
- Damp rag
- Wingnuts
- Sink clips
- Headlamp
- Sink posts and brackets
- Two-part epoxy cement
- Silicone caulk
- Bar clamps
- P-trap assembly
- Pencil
- Sink-drain assembly
Step 1: Clean Your Sink Area
Take off all the shelves and remove everything inside the cabinet that houses the sink. You’ll need as much usable space as you can get your hands on. Invest in a headlamp that will allow you to see what you are doing without requiring you to hold a separate flashlight.
Step 2: Ensure the Bottom of the Counterside is Clean
Use an alcohol-soaked rug to remove dust and oils on the countertop can. Before applying epoxy or silicone caulk, scrub the area well to remove debris and oil. Clean around the sink so no debris hides in crevices and fissures.
Step 3: Clamp the Sink
Have a second person assist you to position the sink so that it is about under the cutout, and then clamp it in place using a bar clamp. Before fully tightening the clamp, you should ensure that the necessary adjustments have been made. Use two clamps if the sink has more than one drain hole.
Step 4: Put In Place The Posts That Will Hold The Sink Clips
Mark each sink clip with a pencil. Adjust the clips as directed – 10 inches for a lightweight sink and 6 inches for a heavy one. More footage is better. Use Epoxy glue for all posts (PC-7 or JB Weld is highly recommended). After generously applying glue, place the post, and wait a day.
Step 5: Caulk The Rim Of The Sink
Loosen the bar clamps and drop the sink to the bottom of the cabinet, if possible. Benefits of this include easier faucet installation. Caulk should be applied in a continuous bead around the rim, with care taken to keep the adhesive on the rim’s perimeter.
Adjust the sink so that the rim is inside the outline you created, tighten the clamps, and clean up any caulk that flows out. Reposition the sink so that it is underneath the cutout.
Step 6: Set Up The Sink With Some Brackets To Support It
After positioning the sink, so it overlaps the cabinet’s rim, slip a bracket over each of the posts. Screw on a wingnut and tighten it all the way.
Using locking pliers is unnecessary because you may complete this task just as easily by hand. Before releasing the clamps, it is advisable to give the silicone caulk at least one full night to harden.
Step 7: Put In The Necessary Plumbing
If you haven’t already, install the faucet. Attach the valves for the water supply. Install trash disposal if you have one, or screw a sink-drain assembly to the drain hole. Connect the wall drain and P-trap assembly to the drain before finishing.
Conclusion
You can save money by installing the sink clips yourself, as with many other plumbing-related tasks. Professional undermount installation might cost up to $2,000. Additionally, this does not include the cost of any supplies or your new sink.
Installation of undermount kitchen sink clips is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few short steps. The most important part of the installation is ensuring that the clips are attached securely to the countertop and sink. Whether you want to install undermount sink to quartz or ceramic, you should now be able to do it with this guide.