These 5 Signs Mean It’s Time to Replace Your Kitchen Sink
Washing the dishes, cleaning your hands, preparing vegetables and fruits… Your sink sees more use than other items in your kitchen. As such it’s more prone to wearing down and needing a replacement.
A kitchen sink that is not functioning can cause obstructions to your daily life. However, many homeowners are unaware of the signs it’s time to replace their kitchen sink.
So how do you know if you need a new kitchen sink? Here are five of the signs indicating it’s time to say goodbye to your old sink!
What are the Signs You Need to Replace Your Sink
1. Visible Signs of Wear and Tear
Cooking requires good hygiene practices to avoid cross-contamination. This is why all kitchen surfaces including your sink have to be easy to clean and free of rust or stains.
Any cracks in your ceramic kitchen sink will make it harder to clean, turning it into a breeding ground for germs, while also increasing the risk of contamination. Similarly, cracks and tears in metal sinks pose a risk of cuts or injuries.
Additionally, the buildup of rust and stains over time due to mineral deposits or soap residue can affect your sink’s appearance.. Even though sinks are typically made of stainless steel, they can indeed rust. Over time a small stain of surface rust can turn into a bigger one, deteriorating the functionality of your sink .
If your sink has lost its appeal or functionality, it’s time to start looking for a new one.
2. Insufficient Space for Your Needs
Your current sink is likely to be suited for your present needs. But what happens when your needs change?
You wouldn’t necessarily decide on a big sink, if you have a small family. But as your family grows you might find that your sink is suddenly too small to meet your requirements.
If you find that your single bowl sink is constantly overflowing with washing up or there is no space to dry up your pots and pans, then maybe it’s time to upgrade to a double drainer sink.
3. Leaks and Decreased Water Flow
Leaks under your kitchen sink can often go unnoticed and cause significant damage to the cabinet and sub-flooring underneath. Such leaks can also cause the growth of mould and mildew leaving a musty smell in your home. Excessive leakages are one of the common signs your sink is due for a replacement.
Additionally, over time you might experience a decrease in water flow. The optimal water flow for kitchen sinks is around and above 15 litres per minute. If you notice insufficient water pressure that you can’t seem to fix by unclogging the drain or changing the valves, your sink might be the problem.
4. Frequent Repairs
Because of how much they are used on a daily basis, kitchen sinks see a lot of wear and tear. Clogs or leaks are usually just a result of frequent use, so having to call the plumber once or twice during the year is normal. However, if you have the number of your local tradesman memorised because you have to call them this often, perhaps it’s time to replace your sink.
While sometimes you might be able to repair your sink rather than replace it, the frequent repair bills can quickly add up. Not to mention the additional costs for repairing water damage or the increased water bills that can rack up from a leaking tap.
In the long-term, getting a new sink can help you save money.
5. Change in Your Kitchen Design
No one wants an old kitchen. A lot of people decide to remodel their kitchen at least once during the course of their ownership. This will likely involve replacing your sink because your old one might look out of place in your new kitchen.
If you’re planning a full-scale kitchen renovation, we would recommend consulting with an experienced design team like the one here at Modern Living. We create a complete 3-D visualisation of your ideas to ensure everything is how you imagined it before installing your new kitchen.
What is the Cost of Replacing a Kitchen Sink?
The precise cost of replacing your kitchen sink will depend on various factors. Are you installing it by yourself or getting someone else to install it? Do you need to install a new countertop as well? These and many other components will affect the final cost of your installation.
The cost of the sink itself will also vary depending on the materials, size and type. According to Checkatrade, the average cost for replacing a kitchen sink in the UK is £572.50. This is estimated based on £112.50 for labour and £460 for materials.
Can You Replace a Kitchen Sink Without Replacing the Countertop?
Depending on the scope of your project you might be able to replace your kitchen sink without necessarily replacing the countertop. If you’re not switching to a different size sink,for example, or installing an inset kitchen sink you can use your existing countertop.
Keep in mind that you might still need to drill and cut your countertop if your new sink is slightly different in shape or measurements.
Is Replacing a Kitchen Sink Easy?
This, again, depends a lot on the scope of your project. A kitchen sink installation and replacement can be a fairly straightforward task. However, if you lack the experience or tools it could turn into a time-consuming task.
Always do your research before you start your project and if it seems like it might be too much for your skills, get a professional on the case.
Find Your New Kitchen Sink at Modern Living
Think that it’s time to replace your kitchen sink? Modern Living has got you covered! Traditional or contemporary, ceramic, stainless steel or even granite, we offer single, 1.5 and 2.0 bowl sinks to suit every kitchen. Browse some of our best-selling models below or visit our Bradford kitchen showroom for more inspiration.
