Q: I have an undermounted cast-iron sink in my kitchen; I want to take it out and replace it with another undermounted stainless steel sink. But is that possible to do? Can they get the old sink out and a new one installed without damaging the granite countertop?
A: It’s possible for a plumber to make that switch with the sinks without too much trouble, although your sink will have to be out of service for a day or two. The only real problem could arise if there is some kind of a divider in the cabinet under the sink, something that is more likely in older homes. In that case, there might be a tight squeeze to make the switch, and you might need a skilled remodeler to modify the cabinet or the granite counter in some way.
Undermounted sinks are generally held tight against the countertop with mounting clips that are installed beneath the counters. These sinks work best with solid surface counters made of marble, concrete, quartz or granite. Undermounts are not well suited to laminate or tile counters; they are also generally more expensive than drop-in sinks. Proper installation is essential to avoid problems.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.