Replace Sink in Granite Countertop

Question

I just moved into a new home that has a granite countertop with a double basin sink.  I want to switch out the sink for a single basin, but I have been told by a couple of plumbers removing the old sink would probably break the granite.  Would it be possible to have the granite cut and drop out the old sink and replace or cut a new hole for a single bowl sink?  Any advice would be appreciated.

Leslie D · Answer

See this article for removal http://www.ehow.com/how_5904203_remove-sinks-granite-countertops.html. Howver, even if you get the sink out, it's going to be very difficult to find a single basin sink to fit the area already cut unless there is one with the same footprint as your existing sink. Your existing sink has a wide bowl, and is sitting very close to the backsplash now, so fabricating/polishing the opening for another undermount single basin sink may not work, and would probably cost you at least $400 from a granite installer, (not to mention plumbing work for drain/disposal, etc.), even if you find a sink to fill the width of the opening. It's much easier to fabricate/polish/install the sink before the granite is attached to the cabinet/subtop so all of the work to install now has to be done from underneath, which will require 2 people. Sometimes, the rim of an undermount sink is actually sitting on a subtop, and is 'sandwiched' between that and the granite. The only other option I can think of to make the work/cutouts feasible would be a large single-basin Apron sink, assuming your sink cabinet is large enough to accommodate, and that will also require some modification to your cabinet. I think I would live with it as is unless you want to buy a whole new piece of countertop.

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Chuck, a countertop expert could more than likely remove the sink.... but they would more than likely require you to sign paperwork that would not hold them accountable for breakage...that's how tricky it is. The existing hole was cut and polished specifically for that model sink. It is highly unlikely you would find a single bowl sink with the same 'footprint' as to fit in the existing hole...and no fabricator would be willing to take the piece back to the shop, re-fabricate the hole and reinstall it. Risk is too high and the profit too little. I recommend you stick with what you have. Tim

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

It is difficult to remove the sink but it can be done.  There are also small screws with little brackets that help hold the sink into place.  We recently had to remove a sink much like that one in the photo. It took about two hours to get it loose using a sharpened edge on a thin putty knife a small hammer and of course the tools to remove the screws.  
The thing to remember however is how are they going to cut the new hole to fit the new sink?  Or have you already figured that part out?  If not you need to do this first before you go through all the time and trouble attempting to remove this bowl.

3po3 · Answer

I agree 100% with Hewitt. You'll get used to the double basin before you know it. You might even learn to love it.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

We have a double basin that we put in when we did our kitchen over 28 years ago,  Went from a large single sink to the double.  Cast iron one at that, Heavy.   Anyway, I hate it.  Its only good for washing small dog,  front legs in one, back in other.  keeps him from turning around.

Pam · Answer

I can't see any use for a single sink, except maybe in a potting bench outside.

Christy M · Answer

I think it's beautiful and you should leave it alone!

Becky H · Answer

While I agree with all the others who believe the sinks look great, I would suggest you consider what a farm style sink would look like in your kitchen, because if the granite is damaged while removing this sink, you may have to use that style to recover from the damages.

Bernice H · Answer

@ woodbridge....mental picture here, of dog overlapping 2 sinks!  too funny!

How about a picture?

Debbie Snyder · Answer

I have a single sink and I severely dislike it. I must confess it is a single sink due to the second side having a built in countertop dishwasher that I love. The problem with one sink is washing/rinsing dishes. I would really think about pros vs.cons on this project as it won't be cheap. Hope this helps!

Katie Trabelsi · Answer

I have the same problem!!! Just googled the question and found this. I just got a quote from a contractor. He said the granite company will charge 1500 to remove top, cut and reinstall. Yikes!!

Katie Trabelsi · Answer

http://t.homedepot.com/p/KOHLER-Vault-Top-Mount-Stainless-Steel-35-3-4-in-4-Hole-Single-Bowl-Kitchen-Sink-K-3942-4-NA/203308293/ this is the sink I bought. As u can see the back butts up to the backsplash.

Terra Gazelle · Answer

Katie, I was looking at that sink on Amazon...nice sink. I have only had stainless sink and really got tired of water spots and after a while I got nicks. So I got a granite super single. The granite will not chip...a knife hit mine and I had a little cut in it. The granite i seems to be easier to keep clean and so far no nicks or dents..and looks new.

Cor1382303 · Answer

Chuck, the granite countertop that you installed looks amazing so far, great work. What type of tools and equipment did you use for the installation? This does come my mind since my plan is to do a granite countertop installation for my bathroom. http://www.creativekb.com' >

Gregory Kazan · Answer

We had a brand new vitreous china farm sink installed with granite countertops on each side. The sink extended out beyond the counter. The contractor installed the sink to the bottom cabinet with construction adhesive instead of hanging it from the back with a supplied bracket. Needless to say as the granite countertop on each side of the sink shifted the sink itself being stationary started to crack. The crack was small at first but grew into a fault line from one side to the other. When I finally removed the sink and uncovered the shoddy workmanship I found the wall bracket in the space under the cabinet where all contractors leave their mess. To replace it I found a Kohler single bowl cast iron sink which will be hung with the intended bracket. Now I have a 30 inch space between the counters along the front of the new sink which has to be filled with matching Paradiso Bash granite. I want to find a remnant and do it myself but my wife wants to hire someone. Any thoughts?

All8756383 · Answer

I have a very similar kitchen sink in the home we are closing on next month, one bowl much larger, deeper than the other. Complicated by the back side of the sink not being a straight line. My faucet is mounted into the granite, having 4 holes as it had the old fashioned separate sprayer, separate drinking water- reverse osmosis system, and a soap dispenser or hand lotion?

I have removed many kitchen sinks from under granite, generally they have bolts epoxy’d on very thin metal tabs, and caulked in around the to, under the lip of the granite, which is easily cut by starting a small spot, then either using a sharpened scraper, or easier using a diamond cable with one person on top, one under pulling other yielding, goes pretty fast. I also removed one that was attached with epoxy all around, a bit tougher, but about an hour to get it loose.

Once the sink is removed, make a simple template of the granite on a double piece of cardboard, hold it up from bottom, pull a pencil around then cutout slightly larger, as the lead is about 3/16ths inch from actual size. Pay attention to the back, and corner radius‘s for your new sink. A couple of companies to check with are Frankie, Blanco who have marvelous sinks. Elkay and American Standard made a lot of these sinks like ours, and now also make a single bowl version. Go online, google kitchen sink replacement.

Pay no attention to the nay- sayers who are suggesting you will love the double sinks, these people have probably never had a single basin sink in the kitchen. We have very good friends, actually our neighbors whom are both resort chefs, have worked all over the world, their kitchen sink is a single bowl. I think someone who makes a living would know, much less one that had an NBC TV cooking show for a number of years! Just don’t settle, this is your kitchen, get what You want! This can be done.

Yesterday, I had the kitchen appliance people out to our new home, they looked over our kitchen, including the sink, they said they would replace it, sink was 500.00, tear out and install was 150, including closing one of the drains from the double sink, attaching the dishwasher drain and hi Loop. Our new faucet is 1 hole, reverse osmosis drinking water was 2nd, soap pump was 3rd, and they suggested using the 4th for a push button start for the garbage disposal versus on/off switch on the wall. The push button switch is not a direct connect to electricity, is a airconnect, so is safer.

Good luck, anything can be solved...

27524803 · Answer

Have you contacted any of the stone counter top contractors in your area... you might also look at the underside of the granite, and see if the name or phone number is there for the granite shop it came from...

Show the granite people what you have, show them what you want (make sure they see the dimensions for the new sink) and ask for an estimate of what the cost would be to remove, alter, and re-install the counter top... HomeAdvisor.com or AngiesList.com can put you in touch with verified people.

The estimates (get several) will help you decide what you want to do, keep the sink, pay to have the counter top altered, or change the counter top to accommodate the new sink.

Nikki · Answer

My husband and I just bought a new home where everything in the kitchen is oil rubbed bronze except for the sink and faucet. :( The builders were trying to save a little money here and there I assume. I came across this thread looking for answers to the same question of replacing a sink with granite countertops. This is helpful! I’ll be tucking this project away for a later date, but I’ll be replacing that sink eventually, I’m sure of it. The debate between a double basin or not is really in how you wash dishes or use your sink. I’ve had both and definitely prefer a single basin. But I don’t fill up a sink with dishwater to wash my dishes. I just run water and wash a pan here and there. My new sink has 2 equally small basins, so that’s a factor too. I had a sink in a previous home with one large basin and a small “sidekick” basin. Those are nice too!

Ingrid Riley Smith · Answer

Those shallow double basin sinks are absolutely insane. Every time I do dishes there is water EVERYWHERE. Im trying to find a contractor willing to cut out a giant opening for a farmhouse single basin sink. If he ruins the countertops oh well. I am tired of the pools of water all over my counter, especially behind the faucet

Helen · Answer

I have a cast iron sink with a ledge that I want to replace without replacing the granite. Does anyone know where I can find a sink like this? The faucet hardware needs to be mounted in the sink as there is no room in the granite. Thank you.

Vicky · Answer

Granite is a stone an inherently has the tendency to split if it has a weak spot. You'll also have to take under consideration that you already have an outlet for the faucet and dish washing liquid already drilled. If you were to 'square-off' the top area, it would not leave you enough space for new outlets. Also, the chances of finding a single-bowl sink to fit in the space that's left, would be nearly impossible. And last, I cannot tell if the top is one single 'L' slab or if in 2 pieces but should it break replacing the sink, you would need to replace all of the areas where the granite is because otherwise it would not match. I really think this area is very nice and has a lot of potential once you add your personal touch. Like me, you'll get used to the double sink and a few years down the road if you decide to renovate the kitchen you can make your changes then.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Hello there,

Why not just keep the one sink you like and cover the other with a large chopping board? You could have one made to fit .

David · Answer

Hello! Good news from Handcrafted Metal! Replace your sink without replacing your granite. We build custom sinks to fit the existing cutout! Single bowl price $2900 + shipping.

https://www.handcraftedmetal.com/StoreProduct-Kitchen2.aspx?sl=1&isHTML=1&UNID=6468&Cat=SRS-B&ProductLine=4&htmlpagename=Custom_Kitchen_Sinks-Stainless-Kitchen_Sinks-6468.html

Replace Sink in Granite Countertop

Suggested Project Book

Check Out These 30 Incredible Sharpie Makeovers

Other

More

Replace Sink in Granite Countertop

Suggested Project Book

Related Discussions