A built in soap dispenser is a perfect complement to a new sink and faucet

Today it is common practice to install a dish or hand soap dispenser in the top of the kitchen sink. This is a matter of practicality as well as one of functional beauty. Soap dispensers, like kitchen sink faucets, have entered an era of ornate beauty. While that part of the dispenser that is hidden under the sink is plain plastic or metal, the mount ring or escutcheon and dispenser pump itself above the sink can be crafted in a bewildering array of styles. Fortunately, installing the soap dispenser is a very simple process. The most important aspect is to make sure that you have a sink with enough holes in it to accommodate a dispenser. Traditionally, a four hole sink is used for the purpose.

Preparation

Some sinks that are already installed have a hole cover in place that covers up the hole you would use for the soap dispenser. If so, from under the sink, unscrew the mount clamp that holds the cover in place. Slide the cover aside and lift it free of the sink.

Installing the soap dispenser

1. Remove the pump assembly and mount ring or escutcheon from the soap dispenser bottle.
2. Separate the pump itself from the mount ring or escutcheon.
3. Slide the gasket supplied over the mount ring stem or apply a bead of plumber’s putty to the underside of the mount ring.
4. Have someone hold the mount ring centered in the hole of the sink from on top.
5. From underneath the sink, screw the mount ring nut on the stem of the mount ring and tighten it until the bottom edge of the mount ring meets the top of the sink. A basin wrench, available at most hardware and home center stores, works best for this.
6. From inside the sink cabinet, screw the soap dispenser bottle on to the bottom of the mount ring.
7. Clean all the excess plumber’s putty off from the mount ring.
8. Fill the soap dispenser bottle with the detergent or hand soap of your choice.
9. Drop the pump assembly inside the mount ring and you are ready to use your new soap dispenser.

Tips

Do not use a caulking compound of any sort to install the soap dispenser mount ring or you will almost certainly wind up with a permanent installation.

The mount ring and the bottle may be made of plastic so be very careful not to over tighten them or they will break.

A basket strainer is the part in the bottom of the kitchen sink that receives the crumb cup or stopper. Basket strainers are typically made from either hard plastics or chrome-plated brass. Some strainers are also made of pot metal and some commercial quality ones are made from stainless steel. Replacing the strainer is relatively straightforward but there are some tricks of the trade that will ensure success.

Removing the old strainer

Basket strainers take a lot of wear and tear and need to be changed occasionally

1. Unscrew the strainer slip nut that connects the drainpipe extension to the bottom of the strainer. Use a pair of water pump or channellock pliers or a pipe wrench to do this.
2. Use a spanner wrench or a special basket strainer wrench found in the plumbing section of most hardware and home center stores to remove the basket strainer mount nut.
3. Wiggle the basket strainer to break the seal between it and the sink and push the strainer up and out of the sink from underneath.

Installing the new basket strainer

1. Clean and dry the top and bottom of the sealing lip of the strainer hole in the sink. Be careful of the sharp edges.
2. Remove the nut and washers from the new basket strainer.
3. Apply a finger-size bead of plumber’s putty to the bottom of the rim of the strainer.
4. Place the strainer in the hole from above and press it into place.
5. Hold the strainer in place with one hand and, reaching underneath with the other, place the rubber gasket, cardboard friction ring, and nut over the bottom of the strainer in that order. You may want to enlist the aid of another to help with this step.
6. Start the nut, being careful not to cross thread it.
7. Hold the strainer in place with a basket strainer wrench while you tighten the nut. If no strainer wrench is available, you can use two screwdrivers placed in opposing holes in the strainer and crossed to provide the leverage you need while you tighten the nut.
8. Clean off the excess plumber’s putty.
9. Reconnect the drainpipe extension to the bottom of the strainer with the slip nut and gasket.
10. Run water in the sink to check for links. Put the stopper or crumb cup in place and fill the sink basin with water. Let it sit for a brief period and check for leaks underneath the sink a second time. If necessary, drain the water out and retighten the strainer nut.

Tips

Do not use any type of caulking compound in place of plumber’s putty.

Heavy weight chrome-plated brass or stainless steel basket strainers last and stay tight over time. Cheaper plastic and pot metal strainers tend to loosen and leak over time because you cannot tighten them as much as necessary.

The screw-in type of crumb cup is the most durable and water tight.