How can I rectify the mistake of not rounding the edges when cutting for the sink?
Asked by Eren Polat 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 15, 2024
Oops, forgot to round the edges when cutting for the sink! Any suggestions on how to fix it? 🥲
Apart from applying a thick layer of caulking, there’s not much else that can be done about that. I highly recommend opting for a different countertop material instead of oak. The light finish on it won’t hold up well against water.
I think that’s an ikea countertop too. We haven’t had any issues, but we make sure to keep it dry, clean up spills right away, and always use cutting boards. We also make sure to seal it and reseal it regularly. It was the most affordable option for us and it still looks great.
Yeah, it’s from ikea and our last place had one too. It’s been 12 years with no problems!
Match the wood filler properly.
Is it possible to trim more off the front so that the sink can be moved forward without the cut out being visible from the back? That way, whatever you use to fill the corners would be at the back and less noticeable.
Oh no, ! That’s too bad 😢
Grab a 1/4” oak sheet and laminate it over the current surface, making sure to include the correct cutout
Support the bottom side first, then apply plastiwood filler and finish with silicone around the sink edge… you’ll hardly even see it and will forget about it in a few weeks
Trim about an inch off the front and bring the sink forward so the back overlaps and remains covered
No content
Try some ramen and strong adhesive
Look for a piece of wood that matches in grain and color, then attach a block to the corners. Trim again to fix the radius
Consider using caulk or wood filler
That was just a warm-up, invest in a high-quality countertop that will stand the test of time!
Semi-transparent silicone.
Are the cut out pieces still available?
Absolutely, !
Hey there! If you took the section you cut out and trimmed the corner, you can use a strong wood glue to secure it tightly. Make sure to clamp it down and let it sit for a few days to hide the seam.
We really appreciate it! We’ll definitely try this out
I agree with Ron. Use hot melt glue to attach a scrap piece of wood under the top to keep the fill piece in place until the glue dries.😉👍
It’s white silicone.
Do you mind sharing what type of countertop that is?
Hey , this one won’t stick around for long.
Hey , it’s made of oak.
Hey , you seem quite negative. Is everything alright?
When fixing it, try to put a piece of wood underneath to support the filler you apply on top. You can use sawdust mixed with wood glue and then match the color as closely as possible to the surface. It’s important to be patient and double-check your measurements. It should turn out well once you repair it. Consider using some caulk to finish it off with a small bead.
If this was mine, I’d recommend cutting and attaching some 1x wood stock to create a picture frame appearance with mitered corners. You might want to choose a different type of wood that complements the bathroom finishes. Be cautious about the weight of the sink and ensure proper reinforcement. Additionally, use a marine-grade varnish to prevent water stains on the wood.
Oh, sure, let’s just add more wood to a wooden countertop around a sink. Genius!
Hey, it won’t hurt to try… I was attempting to offer a solution to assist the original poster in fixing the wooden countertop, regardless of my thoughts on its suitability. Maybe you could suggest something helpful instead of criticizing someone who is trying to help.
Alright, Joey, no need to be so sensitive. You’re not really into construction, are you, Bucci?
😂😂 Danny boy, you’re so cute. I have a lot of experience with construction and fixing construction problems; been at it for nearly 30 years. I like to think outside the box. But it doesn’t seem like you do.
Seems to be trolling every comment. Try not to get caught up in it
Is the only one who keeps trolling me. Classic Beamer!
Always has me in stitches with his antics. It’s just so sad…
Is such an angry troll!
Thanks Joe, that’s a great suggestion and I really appreciate your helpful and kind approach.
I don’t think Dan has noticed the butcher block countertops that are available at every countertop store… Ours has held up well for nearly 15 years, with just one coat of poly added during that time (despite my wife hand washing dishes and using a dish drainer next to the sink – our countertop gets more water exposure in a day than most do in a week…).
There’s always that one person who thinks they know it all but never offers a solution, they just keep digging.
Haha, , stop trolling
You might want to consider replacing that top, or you can simply leave it as is.
Gave a not so great recommendation… There are actually many innovative solutions to the problem in this post; unfortunately, your post doesn’t quite fit into the helpful category…
Hey , can you please show me your beautiful wooden countertop, Joey?
Yeah, absolutely, alright…
That’s exactly what I was thinking, Joey.
Calling me ‘Joey’ doesn’t faze me, nice try. And just to be clear, I don’t owe you anything. Your attempts to provoke me for attention are quite sad, to be honest. This back-and-forth is actually quite entertaining for me, more so than the original post. If you actually had some knowledge about construction, you might have tried to offer helpful suggestions instead of criticizing someone who now finds it amusing. If the original poster wants more suggestions, I’d be happy to assist. But as for this exchange, I’m starting to lose interest…
I actually know more than you realize. Show me some of your work with wood trim around sinks. You’ve got 30 years of experience, so you must be a pro. I’ve got 40 years under my belt and always open to learning from younger folks like you.
Now I understand, you’re an architect! That explains a lot. My bad for assuming. How many healthcare drawings have you done with trim around the sink?
You seem to enjoy making negative and unhelpful comments, maybe try focusing on more positive things in life?
When it comes to a DIY project, there are a few options, but they all just cover up the real issues. If I was designing this kitchen for a client, there would be no question about replacing the countertop. I hope this fits in your “helpful category”.
Straightforward and true!
Yeah, even in the world of DIY, a failure is a failure. And if that guy is an architect, there’s no way he would approve of this on one of his projects. Plus, nothing is more unattractive than a house with a bunch of botched DIY work. It adds no value and actually decreases it.
Make it appear intentional, outline sink shape, trim an inch, add wood on top, trace cutout below, glue to edge of initial cut, sand and finish to preference, now accurately cut out for sink! haha
That’s a smart idea… I wonder if it’s the right timing though?
I hear folks are really excelling with ramen noodles!
Square it off the best you can and find a dark piece of the same type of wood (maple?), matching the grain, sand it down
I believe I saw that on Instagram, 😂
Is that wood or laminate? And did you trim it short from front to back? Or are the back corners experiencing the same problem?
Oh no, let’s begin again
Change the location of the router and frame it nicely
Erase it completely
How much space do you have? If everything is good except for the square cutout, you should have about an inch to work with. Trim the front again, just enough to move the sink forward the half inch needed to hide the error. If you’re feeling unsure, place a support 1x at the back with the cutout piece between the 1x and sink. If you repeat this, cut out just enough for the sink bowls to fit. Stainless steel sinks are less forgiving.
Sadly, no one to play with!
Apply caulk to seal it.
Hey everyone, the instructions were meticulously followed, measurements were triple-checked, and yet this still happened. I might reach out to Ikea for advice, considering it’s veneer, and we’re thinking of using caulk. To those expressing disgust or suggesting starting over, it would be nice to spend another $400 on a new bench, but we had a water leak in our kitchen that damaged the flooring and some counters. So, we decided to invest our savings in a new kitchen, hoping it increases our home’s value. Ikea is quite far for us, about a 6-hour round trip, so not really an option. Thank you to those who shared helpful ideas.
An anonymous participant advises against using caulk, as cutting corners too much is not recommended.
An unidentified individual disliking the accurate response doesn’t render it unhelpful. I deal with fixing DIY projects ruined by water damage and mold every day, so you can pay $400 now or thousands later.
Expressing distaste isn’t quite the response I was looking for. I understand the risks of incorrect builds, but I’m curious about others’ solutions. We’ve put all our funds into this investment.
He comes across as an engineer.
1. Take out the sink. Cut/route 1/2×1″ section of material to match sink profile.
2. Insert walnut, cherry, or another exotic wood into the profile. Secure with screws and glue. No need for biscuits or support plate underneath.
3. Fill in any gaps with wood filler. Sand, refinish top.
4. Reattach sink.
Project Time: 8 hours
Cost: Material/ $150
Time: 8 Hours
Skill Level: 8 or pro level.
Result: Appears as if someone patched the counter top.
Definitely thinking creatively.
I thought this page was all about practical real-world solutions.
Even though Joe may have been an engineer for 30 years, it doesn’t automatically mean he has the skill level for this kind of work. And certainly, neither is OP.
Based on OP’s responses, I can understand why they posted anonymously.
Use a drill and plug
A common error would be to replace the countertop or opt for a larger sink, then drill a 1.5″ hole in the corners.
Wood filler
I recommend using a high-quality wood putty. You’re likely the only one who will notice the difference.
After cutting out the piece, try trimming a small section, applying wood glue, and checking how it appears. Seal around the seam with caulk to make it less visible.
Consider getting a larger sink or a new countertop. Anything else is half-baked and will eventually leak, mold, or rot. It’s better to replace it now than deal with the damage later
I know the holes are tiny, but I understand the risks of water damage and mold. We’ve actually agreed to replace the sink, just not right away.
Is there a way to round it and then bring the sink down while making sure it’s level with the other edges?
I think the size is a bit small… I might try using the cut pieces and patch it up with some high-quality wood glue, or maybe consider trading the sink for a slightly larger one. It all depends on your budget, I suppose.
Oh, thanks for the heads up! We’re planning on upgrading to a larger sink, but it might take a while.
Crossing my fingers for you! Hope it all goes well!
Thanks, I’m glad they’re small. Lots of good ideas here! We’re leaning towards wood glue at the moment
How much space is underneath? Maybe you could trim a little off that side and move the sink over to cover it up.
Do you think that’s the real countertop? How well does that wood handle water? If it’s just a veneer, I wouldn’t recommend letting water sit on it. It could cause bubbling.
Wood filler
Apply ample silicone around the sink.
Tooth Paste. Creates a lived in appearance.
Grab the corner piece you cut out and carefully attach it using construction adhesive and wood filler.
Yeah, then N caulk should do the trick!
Silicone sealant
This is supposed to be effective
Consider upgrading to a larger sink or replacing the countertop
Seems like a bit much for a small imperfection repair!
I make a living doing this, so I hold myself accountable and to a high standard. I would fire myself or anyone who repeated that mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, but what’s important is how you bounce back from them. However, that kind of error would never fly in one of my jobs. I would seriously lose sleep over it. (Second generation master carpenter)
I get what you’re saying, you can’t just make changes to someone’s home like that. Although, if someone is doing it themselves, fixing up a mistake is understandable.
Yeah, these are the kind of requests that I enjoy… we attempted it on our own but realized we should leave it to a professional. It sounds like we’ll need all the necessary tools for plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, painting, etc.
I mean, it’s kind of frustrating when they ask you to do multiple things that clearly overlap in the same space.
I saw a funny video about using Ramen to fix a table in just 5 minutes!😂
Apply Colorfil.
Give it your all and seal up the remaining gaps with caulk.
If you’re not too attached to the wooden top, you have the option to fix the holes with wood patches and then paint, laminate, or epoxy over the existing surface.
Fill wood with shavings, color the shavings, and apply caulk.
Dan provided a straightforward answer to OP’s question. If you didn’t appreciate Dan’s response, feel free to scroll past. I don’t see a Moderator badge next to your name.