I have a double cast iron sink that sits underneath a granite countertop. Is there anyway I could break out the sink and replace it with an over the top model. Replacing the granite would be prohibitively expensive for me and maybe impossible to match as its 15 to 20 years old. Thanks.
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Replies
This is a bump, others on this board will probably have an answer for you.
What do you see under the counter if you look up inside the sink base cabinet? You might have to get a saw in there to cut out some of the cabinet top so that the sink will drop down. Can you get it out of the cabinet if it does? Doing anything like this involves risk of damage to the granite.
The sink may be glued in place with silicone. If it is, try some DAP silicone remover on the joint, wait a while then use a utility knife to cut the joint.
Have a good day
Cliffy
Sounds like an excuse to buy a Fein multimaster.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
you might get some piano wire and try that.take one end annd push it thru the caulking ,then saw it back and forth around the sink.thats how you take out a windshield set in urethane. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I length of fishing wire or steel braid will work as well. The chance of braking the top will be nill.
Someone's going to have to be on the underside. It's a 2 person job.
I suspect the previous posters have you headed in the proper direction for freeing up the sink, but a word of caution, cast iron sinks are REALLY heavy. Please be sure of the support/catching method used for when it finally comes loose, you will not be happy if any part of you is below it. I am inclined to think about boards spanning from above and a rope through the drain holes, but that is just a first thought.
Dan
track hoe with a thumb works well.
There are three issues here as I see it.
One is freeing the sink from the granite which others have covered.
Another is that any cast iron sink is extremely heavy and there is some sort of support structure under it njow. What method they used is important to the answer, and we cannot see under your cabinet from here.
The third is whether you can find a replacement sink that fits the same size and shape as the cutout you now have in the granite. Changing that in place will be messy and difficult, something you do want to consider before it is too late.
This whole operation should be planned carefully before starting.
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Undermount CI sinks should be banned unless I can set the sink before the top goes down.“It so happens that everything that is stupid is not unconstitutional.” —Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
Well, yah, doesn't everyone do it that way?;)
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When I let my trim foreman go from the job, only trim left was some of massive change order condo's left--- about 10.
I thought no biggie---------then BOOM, sitting in the fixture lock-up was 2 Kohler executive chef undermount sinks. I was like holy crap I hate setting those. Then I found out the customer changed her mind & wanted SS-----woo hoo----- life gets better everyday.
Anyways, 145 condos all sinks were undermount I have 2 lavs that will be set before the tops & we had 2 kitchen sinks that got set before the tops ----all other sinks were set after granite/marble tops went in.“It so happens that everything that is stupid is not unconstitutional.” —Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
You might want to make sure you can actually get the sink out of the cabinet once it is free and lowered. In many instances under-mounted sinks they are just small enough to fit into the cabinet from the top, prior to the granite being installed.
If this is the case you may not be able to easily remove the sink without damaging the cabinet. If your sink base has a center stile this will further exacerbate the removal process.
I might try using a small grinder with a wheel that cuts cast iron. carefully cut around inside of opening leaving whats underneath the stone there. I often cut cast iron pipe with my little grinder when I'm under a house and need to tap into the drain. (don't have a chain cutter). have someone hold the shop vac to collect the dust from the cut. set new sink on top and your done. heed previous advice about supporting sink underneath first, then you can break it apart and take it out in pieces.
orbs