Installing an undermount sink on a wooden countertop is not as hard as it sounds. A wooden countertop is an excellent choice of material for a sink. Not only does it look good aesthetically, but it also offers more workspace and enables you to have more room on the countertop adjacent to the sink…
We have provided detailed guidance on how to install an undermount sink in a wooden countertop.
Table Of Contents
Step To Install An Undermount Sink In A Wooden Countertop
Measure & Cut Hold Up Beam
Measure the distance from your new sink to the wall or other obstruction behind it. Cut a piece of wood, such as one inch thick by two inches wide strip that will be inserted into this space and act like a hold-up beam for your undermount sink.
Next, determine where the appropriate place is in front of your newly cut hold-up beam to cut the countertop. Cut a rectangular hole in your countertop with a circular saw, making sure you are leaving enough room for the sink’s faucet handle and spout from front to back on your side of the kitchen island or peninsula. Insert the hold-up beam into place, trimming excess if necessary and screwing it in place.
Put On Silicone Sealant
Apply silicone sealant to the top of your hold-up beam and press it firmly down all around its perimeter to seal it to the underside of your countertop.
Next, use a foam or silicone caulking gun with a small nozzle and apply a bead around both sides of the hold-up beam where it meets the front edge of your countertop.
This will create an airtight seal between these two surfaces, preventing water from leaking out behind your sink.
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Install Supporting Planks Under Sink
Once you have installed your undermount sink, it is a good idea to support the underside of the countertop around where your new sink will be.
Use screws and wood plugs or dowels that are a few inches long to create an even bridge between two pieces of plywood (or other material) for this purpose. This is done with the plywood placed on your countertop and then screws or dowels inserted underneath.
This will help to stabilize your new undermount sink. Still, it is always a good idea to add extra reinforcement using brackets over the supports if possible as well so that you can avoid any potential mishaps due to bumps against this part of your kitchen.
Once the brackets are in place, you can attach them with screws and finish off using a silicone sealant to fill any gaps between these wood parts for optimal water resistance.
This process should take about two hours when installing an undermount sink on top of an existing wooden countertop without any obstructions behind it.
Clean Unwanted Caulking & Sealant
Once you’re done installing the supporting plank under the sink, then it’s time to clean the unwanted caulk and sealant from your new sink. First, clean the entire surface of your undermount sink with a mild soap solution to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated there during installation.
Next use an old rag to wipe away any excess silicone sealant as well before it dries out permanently on its own, which can be difficult to remove without damaging the surrounding surface.
Place Sink Brackets
Once you’ve installed the undermount sink, it’s necessary to place brackets on one side of your wooden countertop where they will be screwed in.
Use a pencil or marker to mark off the location for these brackets before drilling pilot holes with either an electric drill or hand-held power tool. Screw them into place and adjust their height as needed to ensure that they are correctly aligned with any pre-existing holes on your wood.
After installing these brackets, it is a good idea to screw them into place, attach them with screws, and finish off by using a silicone sealant to fill any gaps between these wood parts for optimal water resistance.
If you would like to attach your brackets more securely, you can use a silicone sealant directly on the back of each bracket and press firmly from all sides before letting it dry.
Next, place the sink bowl onto its corresponding fittings over top of these brackets. Ensure that they are oriented correctly so that their openings will be facing inwards towards your countertop.
Then, screw in the top screws to secure it into place before lining up and installing any required fittings for your new undermount sink. These should be installed from underneath using a drill or power tool to firmly anchored if you want them to protect against bumps that could cause spills otherwise.
Seal Left Holes
Finally, seal the left holes by applying a small bead of silicone on each side and pushing it against the hole. This will prevent any water from leaking out behind your new sink, so be sure to inspect these areas before you install all your fittings or cover up any existing ones which have been used for other functions in the past.
Remove Supporting Plank & Check For Leaks
Once you have installed your undermount sink, it is necessary to remove the supporting plank from underneath. You may need a few tools for this process, such as a tape measure and level, to ensure that everything is aligned correctly before removing any supports used earlier on during installation.
The last step of this entire process is to check for leaks. You should do this with the sink partially filled so that you can see if any water is spilling onto your new countertop below.
If you happen to find a leak, then it may be necessary to adjust the position of these brackets or add additional supports before proceeding further into the installation process.
It’s an important step to take, however, because there’s no way of knowing if this will be the case until you’ve completed it all and had a chance to inspect your finished work.
How To Maintain An Undermount Sink
- Remove any buildup that may have built upon the sink. The easiest way to do this is with a small scrub brush and warm water. Dry off your undermount sink thoroughly before applying new silicone sealant, as well as after you finish installing it. Don’t forget to apply caulk around the base of the countertop for extra protection.
- Make sure to remove dirt and soap from the bottom of your sink with a soapy rag after every use, as well as keeping an eye out for any buildup on the rim or around the drain hole.
- Every six months or so, you should take off both pieces (sink bowl and countertop) to clean the underside of your sink.
- Once you’ve removed all the buildup, wash both pieces with hot water and soap as well as any other cleaning solution that may work best for your particular type of sink. Be sure to scrub off any stubborn stains before drying thoroughly.
To install an undermount sink, you’ll need to consider the different types of sinks available, which ones are best for your situation, and how to install an undermount sink on a wooden countertop. We hope this guide helped you make the right decision about installing an undermount sink.