I'm in the process of replacing my old ceramic-looking sink with a modern stainless steel drop-in version. The old sink was embedded in my tiled countertop, and while I'm not ready to replace the countertop itself just yet, I've managed to dig the old sink out. From what I can see, the front and back of the new sink will sit on about 1/4 inch of the tile countertop, but the sides won't rest on anything since I had to remove tile to get the old sink out. There's a gap under the sides of the new sink where the old cement sat beneath the tile, and since that area is uneven, I'm considering how to fill or shim that space to better support the sink. Should I use chunks of wood to shim it, or would something like mortar or Quickset work better? Or should I just build a wooden structure to support the sink instead? Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
I had a similar issue when I swapped out my sink. I used Quickset along with some strips of plywood to create a solid support around the edges. It worked great! Just remember, whatever you use needs to hold the weight, especially when the sink is full of water. Avoid leaving too big of gaps under there, as it could lead to issues down the road. Go with what feels right for you, but definitely reinforce that area!
It sounds like you’ve got quite a project going! Based on what you described, it’s definitely a good idea to provide support around the sink’s flange to avoid cracking those tiles later on. Using polymer modified mortar is a solid option since it’s waterproof and strong enough for this kind of support. Just make sure to create little borders or 'dams' with cardboard or wood to keep the mortar in place as it sets. That way, it won’t ooze out and create a mess in your cabinet. Good luck with the installation!
Thanks for the tip! I think that will work perfectly. I'm definitely going to see if I can get some polymer modified mortar and set it up like you mentioned!
Great to know that plywood worked for you! I’ll keep that in mind. I want to make sure it’s well-supported, especially with all the dishes we tend to pile up in the sink!