How to easily upgrade your laundry sink

Replacing an old laundry sink is a simple project that can dramatically improve your laundry room's looks. Plus, upgrading from a typical laundry faucet to a kitchen sink faucet with a sprayer and soap dispenser can make your sink more functional. Here's how to easily upgrade your laundry sink.

• Inspect your sink plumbing before you shop for a new sink and make a list of the parts you'll need.
• If your old trap assembly is chrome plated, consider replacing it with a plastic one.
• Plastic traps are easier to install and maintain.
• Also, buy flexible braided stainless steel supply tubes.
• These tubes simplify the task of connecting the faucet to the water supply.

• First, close the water valves that lead to the laundry faucet and disconnect the supply tubes.
• Put a small pail under your laundry sink trap to catch the water.
• Unscrew the large slip nuts to remove the trap.
• Then, remove the screws that secure the laundry sink to the wall if there are any and remove the sink.

• Your new laundry sink may have punch-outs for a laundry faucet, but if you'll be installing a kitchen faucet, don't use them — drill holes instead.
• Check your new faucet to determine the hole locations and mark them on the sink.
• Drill the holes with a 3.5 centimetre (1 1/2 inch) hole saw.
• To enlarge an existing hole, clamp a scrap of wood to the bottom of the sink deck, under the existing hole.
• Then mark the centre of the new hole on the wood and drill the hole with a hole saw as you normally would.
• The wood scrap will keep the hole saw centred.

• Mount the faucet and soap dispenser on your new sink according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Then move your newlaundry sink into position.
• Hand-tighten the braided stainless supply tube nuts onto the valves and then tighten one more revolution to create a good seal.
• If you're using new plastic drain parts, use a hacksaw to cut the trap arm and tail piece to fit.
• Then, to finish the job, secure the sink to the wall with adhesive caulk or screws.

Follow this how to and you'll be better able to easily upgrade your laundry sink.