5 Things to Ask Yourself When Installing a New Sink

Buying a new sink requires you to make a lot of decisions. Asking yourself the right questions will help you make your home improvement. Below are some of the most helpful questions you can ask before getting started.

Sinks come in different materials. The type of material you choose for your sink will affect the appearance of your kitchen and the type of maintenance you're expected to perform.  

Stainless Steel

This material may not be flashy, but it's easy to clean, relatively inexpensive and it matches many modern kitchen appliances. Stainless steel is also not nearly as hard as composite and engineered stone, so if you're prone to accidentally dropping pots and pans in your sink, you're less likely to break them in stainless steel.

Cast Iron Enamel

Cast iron coated in enamel is attractive and traditional. Many people like this type of sink because they're appropriate in farm-house kitchens, which are very popular right now. Enamel chips easily when a plate or pot is dropped in the sink, so homeowners must be careful.

Cast iron coated in enamel stains easily when exposed to dark colored drinks like coffee. If the sink you choose is a light color, expect to clean it a lot with specialized cleaner. If your sink is a darker color, the stains will be less obvious.

Solid Surface

Solid surface sinks are very hard, like stone. Homeowners like them because they come in a range of colors and can be matched to the color of their solid surface counter tops.

Single bowl sinks are generally roomier than double bowl sinks. Some people prefer the double bowl because they like to have a spot to drain their clean dishes, while others like as much room as possible to perform their cleaning.

You'll have to decide for yourself what kind of sink you want. While the easiest thing may be to install a sink of the same dimensions that you already have right now, you may get better value out of your sink if you install the kind that best fits your dishes cleaning style.  

Sinks come in a variety of depths. If you like to soak your pots and pans, a deep sink may be the best for you. If you're older and hoping to age in place, it may be easier to have a shallow sink because it requires slightly less lifting. Your plumber will need to know if you're hoping to change the depth of your sink, so they can come prepared.

Different sinks cost different amounts. The material that you choose will affect how much your sink costs. If the sink you choose is not fitted to the hole already in your counter, you may have to pay more for installation.

After making your sink selection, get a quote from your plumber to find out how much this will cost in total. Once you know how much it will cost, you can move forward with your project, or make changes based on your budget.

It's important to pick the right plumber for your kitchen appliance and sink installations. When selecting a plumber, get references from each professional you're considering. Calling references can help you determine who is most professional and skilled in their trade.

If you know someone who has recently used a plumber, find out whether they would make a referral. When picking a plumber, check for licensure. Never hire a plumber who is not licensed and insured. At Mike's Plumbing, we're happy to answer all your questions and tell you more about sink installation, so call us today to find out more.