Kitchen Sink Repairs: Can You Do-It-Yourself

In all advanced home improvement projects, whether you can repair a faucet or install a sink depends on your familiarity with the materials and tools. Let’s see if you can do these tasks yourself, or if a professional for kitchen sink repairs should do them for you.

Choosing a Sink

To begin with, you need a sink. The following materials are available:

Stainless Steel – Stainless steel sinks tend to be the least expensive but can scratch more easily than other materials. For lighter weights, they can also be noisy when in use. The gauge of stainless steel sinks affects the weight.

Cast Iron – Typically, porcelain enamel is used for these types of sinks. In addition to using stain- and scratch-resistance, zinc can chip and expose the cast iron underneath to rust. It is quite heavy to have a cast iron sink.

Ceramic – A porcelain enamel coating is also available on these sinks. A kiln is used to fuse porcelain enamel with clay. In addition to its durability, it is also relatively cheap.

Granite/Imitation Stone

Authentic granite sinks are beautiful, while imitation granite sinks consist of a composite of granite or quartz and resin that looks like granite but offers more durability and less maintenance. The most commonly installed sinks are still stainless steel, but composite sinks are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who appreciate the durability and look of the product.

Tools and Supplies Required for Kitchen Sink Repairs & Installation

Those who regularly tackle more complex home improvement projects may already have the proper tools and supplies. In this case, you may need tools such as a jigsaw with a blade suitable for countertop materials, a drill with a spade bit, a hacksaw, a tubing cutter, pliers, and wrenches. Besides primer and cement, you will also need a plumber’s putty and joint compound for your pipes.

Common Faucet Issues and Required Tools

It is common for faucets to leak and to have a slow flow of water, and repairing them is vital to keeping your water bill under control and your sanity intact. You can disassemble the faucet to see if any parts are worn or clogged after you turn off the water. If you spot clogs, clean them out and purchase replacement parts from your local home improvement store. The DIYer who needs to fix a leaking spout is able to acquire repair kits from sink manufacturers, making the task easier.

Deciding to DIY or Hire a Professional for Kitchen Sink Repairs in Broward County

The home handyman can tackle sink repair relatively easily, as noted above. In contrast, installing a sink or faucet requires a certain degree of comfort with specialized tools and materials. If you need to remove the existing countertop to install one of the heavier sinks, hire a professional for kitchen sink repairs in Broward County if you have never done it before. Your brand new cast iron sink would probably not be able to support the existing supports if you breezed through the installation process.