Updating Your Kitchen - Countertops and Faucet

Installing post formed counter tops 

Post formed counter tops are premanufactured counter tops with the laminate surface already bonded to the substrate backing and “formed” along the edges. They are designed to be user friendly and can be installed by a DIYer.

• Once the base cabinets are installed you can install your post formed counter top
• Start by laying the counter top onto the base cabinets to check they're level and the cabinet drawers and doors can open. If they aren't level or  counter top interferes with the operation of the doors or drawers, you need to shim the tops.
• Next fit the counter tops to the wall by using a compass and pencil to scribe the back of the counter top. After scribing use a belt sander to remove any excess material to ensure you get a tight fit.
• Post formed counter tops commonly come in sections that need to be joined together using fasteners (come with the counter top) installed into slots cut on the underside of the counter top Join the sections by first spreading a bead of caulk on each section  then butting the ends together. 
• Next install the fastening bolts. As you tighten them they will pull the sections tightly together ensuring they are properly aligned. Finish by wiping away any excess caulk on the surface.
• Once the counter top has been fastened together, position it against the wall on top of the base cabinets    and fasten it in place by screwing up through the corners of the base cabinets. Be sure the screws are long enough to firmly hold the counter top, but not so long they will penetrate the surface of the counter top.
  

Installing a kitchen faucet 

Modern kitchen faucets are straight forward to install and most manufacturers provide detailed and easy to follow instructions to guide you. Here's some general guidelines for installing a new kitchen faucet. Since not all faucets are the same, it's important to read and follow the instructions that come with your faucet.

• If your faucet requires some assembly (supply tubes, spray tubes) do it this while standing and before you start installing the faucet, it's much easier to do while standing rather than lying on your back.
• Once your new faucet is assembled, place the supplied gasket (rubber or silicon) on the sink around the predrilled holes where it will sit under the faucet base. If your faucet doesn't have a gasket, spread a liberal amount of plumber's putty in the area so you will have a water tight seal after installation.
• Insert the faucet body down through the holes in the sink, center the threaded mounting shafts in the holes then tighten the mounting nuts onto the shafts from below.
• Connect the sprayer (if you have one) to the faucet body and attach the counterweight.
• Attach the water supply lines from the faucet to the hot and cold supply lines under the sink and tighten them with an adjustable wrench. 
• Turn the water on and check for leaks.
• Before using the faucet for the first time, remove the aerator and turn on the water to flush out any residue left over from manufacturing. Let the water run for 30 seconds or so then reinstall the aerator and your new kitchen faucet is ready to use.
  

| Part Three

Murray Anderson is an experienced freelance writer over 800 articles published on the web as well as in print magazines and newspapers in both the United States and Canada. He writes on a wide range of topics and is a regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He can be contacted at murand@lycos.com.