Some plumbing problems make themselves known with a big leak or a flood. Others can be a little quieter, hiding in your home under the cabinet or behind a wall. As a homeowner, it pays to be proactive and keep tabs on the kitchen and bathroom sinks. We at Allied Plumbing can be your partners in helping you decide when it’s the right time to replace a sink in the house. Read on for five reasons you might need a sink upgrade.

Leaks

New Sink
Image via Pixabay by Karolina Grabowska

A small leak can be easy to overlook, at least for a little while. Your kitchen and bathroom sinks are likely on top of a closed cabinet where you store household objects. Typically, your sink will be sealed to the countertop with caulk or adhesive to prevent leaks. Over time, those seals can fail, creating gaps where splashed or pooled water can make its way into the cabinet. Water is the enemy of wood, and it doesn’t take long for damage to become irreparable.

Rather than layering on more and more caulking, you might find a new sink can be a better fit for a tight and effective seal. Similarly, if your faucet doesn’t fit your sink quite right, if its installation wasn’t done properly, or if the gaskets are old and allow small leaks, a new sink may be the solution for a tight, leak-free finish.

Visible Damage

Though sinks are generally designed to be durable and long-lasting, ceramic or porcelain sinks can be prone to cracks or chips. Metal sinks may become scratched or etched over time, and though stainless steel doesn’t usually rust, deposits left on too long can cause surface damage. Every imperfection can compromise the seals to the countertop, the drain or garbage disposal, or the plumbing fixtures. These damaged spots can also be a breeding ground for mold or mildew, which can be dangerous to have around food or toothbrushes.

Even if you like the look of vintage sinks and fixtures, it’s important to check carefully for damage that could lead to leaks. High-traffic areas may do best with a modern sink and vintage touches with decorating and accessories.

Insufficient Size

Bathroom and kitchen sinks come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. What feels right to one person may be totally insufficient for another. You may have bought your dream house, but when you set out to cook your first meal, you discover your favorite cooking vessel barely fits in the sink. Or you find that a divided sink with a shallow bowl can’t hold the amount of water you need to wash the dishes. Maybe the kids brushing their teeth in the bathroom leads to a spectacular mess every night as the water splashes out all over the counter.

Sinks are the workhorses of the house. A busy family may interact with the kitchen sink a dozen times a day, filling water bottles, washing hands, doing the dishes, or filling a pot. If the sink isn’t the right depth or size, you may end up feeling frustrated during those dozen times a day you use it. Even if you don’t have the budget for a whole kitchen or bathroom makeover, a sink replacement can be a simple way to customize a very important part of your home.

A new sink is an easy and budget-friendly way to bring your kitchen up to your cooking (and cleaning!) standards. Something fresh and clean may inspire your culinary imagination. Similarly, if your bathroom sink is a standalone bowl with no storage or counter space, an upgraded sink and vanity might help your bathroom feel more organized and clean without much effort or expense.

Decor Upgrade

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or just want a refresh, most real estate agents will tell you that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. They’re also rooms that most families spend a lot of time in, so it’s worth saving up and spending your renovation or decorating budget on new kitchen and bathroom features. You don’t have to think of all kitchen or bathroom renovations as a full gut-job with months of inconvenience, though. Sinks and plumbing fixtures can be the jewels in the crown of the room, even if cabinets, appliances, and layout all stay the same.

In the kitchen, modern sinks come in a huge variety of styles. For the very popular modern farmhouse style, an apron sink provides a feature of visual interest above the cabinet doors. A deep, single-bowl rectangle sink can handle even the most elaborate gourmet cooks and all their gadgets. An under-mount sink provides a smooth edge on the countertop. Some countertop materials can allow for an integrated sink, with no seams at all. Whether you like a dark color, bright white, or shiny metal, the options are almost as limitless as your creative vision.

In the bathroom, you may like the look of an under-mount sink, but maybe a square or a rectangle shape fits your style. The modern vessel sink can add a pop of visual appeal by sitting on top of the counter in colored glass or hammered metal. Form meets function in modern sink design, and we represent all the leading manufacturers in the industry.

Plumbing Fixture Compatibility

Some sinks and some faucets aren’t meant to be together. A tall and elegant faucet, for example, might have a lot of presence in the room, but matching it with a shallow sink is a recipe for constant splashing. A small and delicate faucet with a big cavernous sink may look odd and out of place.

You may want extra features like a soap dispenser or sprayer. Our experts can help you match the right faucet to the right sink. We understand that usability and proper installation are just as important as looks. We can help find both pieces that match your style perfectly.

Do any of these issues apply to you? If you’re ready to make a repair or do a bit of upgrade, please contact us. We’re ready to help guide your new sink selection.