Upgrade Your Laundry Sink

Step 1: Buy a new sink and faucet

Replacing a grungy old laundry sink is a simple Saturday morning project that will dramatically improve the looks of your laundry room. And you can make your sink more functional too by upgrading from a typical laundry faucet to a kitchen sink faucet with a convenient sprayer and soap dispenser.

You’ll find a selection of laundry sinks and kitchen faucets at home centers. Inspect your sink plumbing before you shop and make a list of the parts you’ll need. If your old trap assembly is chrome plated, consider replacing it with plastic. Plastic traps are easier to install and maintain. Also, buy flexible braided stainless steel supply tubes. They simplify the task of connecting the faucet to the water supply. We spent $175 for the sink, faucet, and new supply tubes and drain parts.

Step 2: Remove the old sink

Start by closing the water valves that lead to the faucet and disconnecting the supply tubes. Put a small pail under the trap to catch the water, then remove the trap by unscrewing the large slip nuts (Photo 1). Finally, remove screws that may secure the laundry sink to the wall and then remove the sink.

Step 3: Install the new sink

Your new laundry sink may have punch-outs for a laundry faucet, but if you’ll be installing a kitchen faucet, don’t use them. Drill holes instead. Check your new faucet to determine the hole locations and mark them on the sink. Drill the holes with a 1-1/2-in. hole saw (Photo 2). To enlarge an existing hole, clamp a scrap of wood to the bottom of the sink deck, under the existing hole. Then mark the center of the new hole on the wood and drill the hole with a hole saw as you normally would. The wood scrap will keep the hole saw centered.

Mount the faucet and soap dispenser on the sink according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Photo 3). Then move the laundry sink into position (Photo 4). Hand-tighten the braided stainless supply tube nuts onto the valves and then tighten one more revolution to create a good seal. If you’re using new plastic drain parts, use a hacksaw to cut the trap arm and tailpiece to fit. Secure the sink to the wall with adhesive caulk or screws.