Counter Installation Day - Morning

It's Monday morning and crunch time. I’m taking off the old countertops. Which is not so hard as I thought it would be. Each corner is screwed in but not real tight. The only problem is getting to them but again. Not a real concern. But, as you can see I had a lot of help.

Once all unscrewed just lift them up. The yare surprisingly heavy.

The counter with the sink is another matter. Shut off the water because you have to do a little plumbing. Also shut off the electricity to the garbage disposal

Once those two things are done you need to take the electric off the disposal, then there is a mounting assembly you have to twist off (with a hammer and big screw driver).

Once it’s all taken out make sure you put rags into any of the open pipes so sewer gas does not flow into the house.

So - I have un-plumbed the sink (that’s a technical term), now it’s time to take the BIG counter off.

I remove everything and try to take the sink out of the counter – it won’t budge. I took off the 10 screws that were screwed into the wood to make sure the sink would not SOMEHOW fall onto the floor or something but it is not moving an inch.

Well, only one thing to do. I lift the entire counter off INCLUDING sink and see that not ONLY were there 10 screws. It is also glued in place.

WHAT! Is this earthquake proof? Were they really THAT worried that the sink MIGHT move. Good God. 10 screws AND glue. If that sink somehow fell out of the counter I’m pretty sure I have far greater concerns then a sink on the floor.

So the counter AND sink still in place are now on the back porch awaiting an earthquake so they will come unattached.

On a side note - notice the wall paper behid the big counter where the side splas on the old counter. LOL

NEXT time DJ says she wants to have the wall finished BEFORE the new counters are installed . . . . . .NEXT TIME!

It's time to go shopping.

The disposel was pretty old and 1/2 HP. the lowest you want to go in Horse Power is 1/2 HP and I actually do not think you can find a smaller one.

I head to Sears to get a Kenmore In-Sink-Erator but Sears does not open until 10:00. On to Home Depot.

I find what I’m looking for (In-Sink-Erator 444, 3/4 Horse Power, HAR HAR!!!!) and on a spur of a moment I pick up Digital Thermostat. This will go next to my unopened Motion Activated light switch for a future project.

ANYWAY – since we’re getting a new undermounted sink I need to buy a sink Strainer. You see sinks do not come with that middle part – just a hole on the bottom, you need to buy the part that fits into the bottom of the sink.

Well – it SEEMS that Home Depot had a SALE this weekend on stainless steel strainers and they were all sold out.

WHAT? They felt they needed a SALE? Yea – I bet that really brought in the crowds. People must have been buying dozens, you never know when you might need four or five.

So now I have to go to Menards.

I look for the strainers near the sinks. HA! No no, they would not want to put them NEAR the sinks. I ask and am taken to the wall of strainers that all look exactly alike but for different prices. I buy the one with the best packaging and instructions in english.

I also buy some plumbers putty and a big jar of salted peanuts. mmmmmm Plumbers putty and salted peanuts.

And that is the morning – now I’m waiting.

A couple things you should think about.

Before you shut off the water – brush your teeth. I ha to shut the entire house water off because the shut off valves in the kitchen only work 98% which is 2% not enough.

Until later
Rod