Why would you want to insulate your kitchen sink?
Well, when you buy sinks you buy them at different quality levels. When buying sinks two things are very important.
- The gauge of the metal.
- Insulation.
So, let’s say your house has less than an exemplary sink installed. And you get that tinny sound whenever you’re pouring water down the drain. Also, the sound gets hollower when more water gets poured down.
It can become annoying after a while. So, the question is how to insulate under kitchen sink?
Well, don’t worry because it can be done in various ways. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the ways you can insulate a kitchen. So, without further ado let’s jump right in.
How to Insulate a Kitchen Sink
Kitchen sink noises can be deadened by various ways. It is the underside of the sink you’re going to be working with. With the use of the following items, you can make a kitchen sink insulated, which will greatly reduce the sound clutter:
- Mass Loaded Vinyl
- Sound Deadening Mats
- Rubberized Undercoating Spray
- Rubber Sheets
Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass loaded vinyl is a very popular insulation material. ⠀It has a lot of mass and flexibility.
The best way to deaden the sound of a noisy sink is by adding mass Through adding mass, the vibrations produced through dropping utensils in the sink, or by running high-pressure water over it, are dampened.
Mass Loaded Vinyl is not cheap but you may not need much of it for a kitchen sink. While deadening the entire underside is preferable, you can save on the cost by leaving the side parts.
A 40 square feet (4′ x 4′) mass loaded vinyl should be enough for insulating a kitchen sink.
However, you’ll need more materials for larger sinks.
Step 1: Measure the Size
Measure the size you’ll need for your kitchen sink and use a utility knife to cut it. The middle section has a circular cut through which the drainpipe passes.
Step 2: Clean the Surface
Clean the sink’s surface, and make sure it’s dry and dust-free. You’ll need to do this before the adhesive is applied.
Step 3: Apply Adhesive
Now that the underside of the sink is clean and dry and you have the mass loaded vinyl cut to fit, it’s time to apply the adhesive.
Turn the sink upside down. Then place the mass loaded vinyl on a flat surface. A table or floor ought to do well. To secure the table or floor against the adhesive spray, it is advisable to put cardboard in between.
Spray on the underside of the sink and on the mass loaded vinyl afterward. Place the mass loaded vinyl carefully on the sink when ready.
Step 4: Let it Cure
Allow the adhesive to cure and you have it there, a kitchen sink which is insulated.
The procedure covered above is for an uninstalled sink. You can cut small pieces of the mass loaded vinyl for an already mounted sink and add them one by one.
Sound Deadening Mat
A slightly cheaper alternative would be to use sound deadening mats used in cars. They are not as good as mass loaded vinyl, but they are a cheaper option.
In most instances, this will deaden a kitchen sink’s sound. After all, you want only to reduce the noise. The process for installing the sound deadening mat is very similar to that with a few minor differences for the mass loaded vinyl.
Step 1: Measure the size
The first step is to measure and make the necessary cuts on the underside of the sink for the mat to be placed.
Step 2: Lay Down Sink Upside Down
Lay down the sink as mentioned above and the sound deadening mat.
Step 3: Apply Adhesive
The deadening mat used for cars usually has an adhesive backing. But you’re not going to want to take any chances.
Use an adhesive spray on the mat and the parts of the sink on which you’ll place the mat after removing the backing.
Step 4: Give it Time
Allow the adhesive to set and the job is complete.
Rubberized Undercoating Spray
A quick and effective way to handle a noisy sink in the kitchen is to add some rubberized undercoating spray. This is another product that is mainly used to prevent vehicle parts such as undercarriages and fenders and hood parts from corrosion.
However, it can also be used to deaden sounds. You can spray it on the underside of the sink.
This is a great solution for already installed kitchen sinks, as spraying on them is much easier compared to sticking mass loaded vinyl or deadening mat.
Step 1: Plug Newspaper Through Sink Holes
Roll up a newspaper and plug through kitchen sinkholes. This is to ensure you are not running into blockage problems.
Step 2: Cover the Walls and Floor
To cover the walls and floor, layout a newspaper or cardboard in the spray area close to the sink.
Step 3: Spray
Leave a distance of about six inches between the can and the sink. Then you will spray the area.
Step 4: Let it Cure
Allow a spray to be set and only remove the paper or cardboard you put before.
Rubber Sheets
Rubber sheets would be an alternative to mass loaded vinyl and sound deadening mat. Leftover roofing or old tire tubes are a good source to get it.
The installation process would be similar to that for mass loaded vinyl.
Conclusion
A noisy sink in the kitchen can be a real headache. Nonetheless, insulation is not a big deal and can be done without too much money.
Replacing the sink is ideal but if that is not possible then any of the above solutions will improve the situation.
Mass loaded vinyl, in my experience, works best because of the amount of mass they have. However, if you’re just looking to make things better a little bit, then any of the cheaper options would serve you well.
I hope this article has helped with how to insulate under kitchen sink. Good luck!
