http://www.AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter demonstrates why the size of your overmount stainless steel sink determines whether you should install your sink before or after the countertop is in place.

Video Transcription

Oh, boy, look at that! I guess you are wondering about this, I am a professional cage fighter. I do it in the weekends. You think this is bad, the other guy is still on the hospital. I am getting ready to install this stainless steel sink. It is an over mouth in a countertop and I want to show you something. I think a lot of people wonder how in the world is the sink is in placed. Because look how easy I can lift and I know you can not do that with your kitchen sink. Let me show you. Check this out. On the underside of the sink or these channels and you found a channel on each side of the sink but you know what, these crazy little clamps, this little hardware, it comes as a part with the sink. These things just fit right into the channel, slide it over and with the screw driver, you tighten that and it pulls the sink tight to the countertop. You might think, “That is easy. What is so hard about that? How can I have a problem?” Check this out, come here. I installed this L-case sink. They are both the same sinks by the way, and they are okay. So, watch this. You are not going to believe this. They looked identical but you know what, they are not. They are not even close. This particular sink is 22 inches from the front to the back and that is pretty standard. That is what most kitchen sinks are but here is the problem. Look at this, the distance from the vertical face of the sink here to the back side of the cabinet is right about here. There is only about one inch space where you could possibly get your hand with the screw driver up into there to tighten that clamp. It is not going to happen. You are not going to be able to do it. Let us go look over at the other sink. So, as you look at this sink, you are wondering, “Well, that looks pretty standard, Tim.” Well, guess what, look at this. This sink from the back only measures nineteen inches that is a three-inch difference so I have probably an extra inch and a half here and inch and a half in the back and of course lots of room over here on this side. I can easily this sink in the countertop after the countertop is installed but on the other one, you have to install the sink in the countertop before you bring the top into the room. You have got to remember that. Do not make that mistake. You will be ripping the countertop out and start all over. I am Tim Carter, the cage fighter for askthebuilder.com. If you want to discover more home improvement tips, go to askthebuilder.com.