Is your kitchen sink suffering from leakage issues?
Do you want to save the money that will go into hiring a professional? If yes, then you’re at the right place! Sealing kitchen sinks isn’t as difficult as it sounds.
In this article, we are going to guide you on how to seal your kitchen sink the DIY way.
Our guide will provide a step-by-step method of sealing sinks that you can easily implement. So, let’s dive right in!
Why is it Important to Seal your Kitchen Sink?
Sealing kitchen sinks is extremely important because if you don’t, then your kitchen will be highly prone to water damage and the growth of mold and mildew.
People often fear that the process must absolutely require a professional, but let us tell you that going the DIY way can be equally convenient.
You need to seal your kitchen sink with silicone, or a sealant that will ensure that your kitchen sink stays in good condition for a prolonged period.
When you use a high-quality sealant, it keeps debris and water from seeping through the gaps.
Step by Step Guide: How to Seal a Kitchen Sink
If you want to seal around a kitchen sink, then follow the steps in the sequence that we have listed below.
Here’s how you can seal your kitchen sink:
Step #1: Remove the Old Caulk/Sealant
The first step is to remove the old caulk around your kitchen sink. Caulk can be made from a variety of materials.
The most common composition of caulk includes latex and silicone. Both of these materials require a different solvent to be dissolved.
If you don’t know the type of caulk that your sink has, then it’s better to remove the caulk by digging into it instead of trying to dissolve it.
In order to do that, you need to use a utility knife or any sharp blade to dig the old caulk out. Start by inserting the blade at the top and bottom of the caulk or against the sink.
The sharp blade will slice through the caulk, and then you can easily pull it out.
Step #2: Prepare the Sink
After the removal of the old caulk, you need to clean the sink to prepare it for a new sealant.
Make sure that any residue left by the old caulk is completely removed, so it doesn’t cause problems in the application of the new sealant.
You also need to ensure that any dirt, grease, or grime around any other parts of the sink are also thoroughly cleaned.
Consider cleaning these pollutants with denatured alcohol for the best results. The alcohol is the most effective at removing caulk residue and dirt.
It cleans your sink properly and dries quickly, allowing you to apply the new sealant right after.
Denatured alcohol is a much better choice for cleaning than water because water takes much longer to dry out.
Step #3: Prepare the Sealant
The next step is to prepare the sealant. If you’re using a silicone sealant, then you need to insert the cartridge inside the sealant gun.
Then, cut the nozzle close to the tip to the width that you need. Make sure you test its flow on scrap material before applying it.
Step #4: Apply the Caulk
After cleaning the sink and preparing the sealant, you need to apply the caulk over your kitchen sink.
The caulk could either be made of silicone or latex. Depending on your sink, you can use a tinted or clear solution. To apply the caulk, use a tube with a very small cut in its tip.
If you use a tube with a large hole, it will be difficult to control the amount of caulk coming out of it.
Now, hold the caulk’s tip against the sink’s edge at the point where it is connecting to the counter at a 45 degrees angle.
Then, paste painter’s tape next to the sink so the caulk can be applied neatly in a clean line.
Now, apply the caulk in one continuous bead in a way that it is pulled around the sink. You must ensure that the finished bead has no gaps in it.
Step #5: Finishing the Caulk
After you have applied the caulk around your sink, you need to make sure that it’s tooled into place.
This means that the caulk needs to be smoothed out against the sink to strengthen the final seal.
You can either use your fingers or a special tool that is designed for caulk tooling to complete this step.
If you don’t have the tool, then wet your finger in water before you use it to smooth out the caulk.
Then, press the caulk against the sink and counter gently. Make sure you don’t pull away from your finger while moving it.
Once you’re satisfied with your work, let the sink dry for at least 24 hours before you start using it normally.
How to Seal an Undermount Kitchen Sink?
Unlike the kitchen sinks that are integrated into the countertop and form a single molded unit with it, under-mount sinks are separate units.
Undermount sinks, just like drop-in sinks, are installed separately from the countertop.
The biggest advantage of having an under-mount sink is that it protects your sink from water build-up issues.
If you’re facing leakage issues in your under-mount kitchen sink, then you’ll also have to reseal it.
The leaks in this type of sink are common and can be caused due to various reasons. Before we dive into the process of resealing an undermount kitchen sink, let’s first learn what causes the leaks in it in the first place!
Unsecured clamps: In many cases, the installation of the undermount sink is not secured properly, which leads to leakage in the sink. If the clamps or epoxy of the sink is loose, then it can pull away the caulk causing the sink to leak.
Dirty countertop bottom: If the countertop isn’t cleaned properly before caulking, it can lead to leakage. Make sure you clean it with denatured alcohol to prevent this problem in your resealed sink.
Use of the wrong sealant: If you don’t use the right sealant, it can cause the sink to leak very quickly. For most under-mount sinks, a pure sealant with 100% silicone is recommended for best results. Silicone sealants have high resistance and excellent adhesive properties. If you don’t use good quality silicone sealant, it can cause your sink to leak.
Steps to Seal an Undermount Sink Leak
Although the process can be a little tricky, you can still pull it off with some attention. Here are the steps that you need to take:
- Crawl under the sink to check if the clamps are securely holding the countertop and the bottom of the sink together.
- Apply a pure 100% silicone sealant from inside the cabinet. Make sure you cover the entire seam around the sink.
- Once the sink is tightly clamped, you can follow the same steps that we have listed down above to seal your leaking sink.
Also read: How to Organize Under Kitchen Sink
Final Thoughts
No matter the type of kitchen sink you have, if it’s leaking, then you can seal it yourself.
By choosing a high-quality sealant and following the steps properly, you can fix your kitchen sink in no time.
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