Chipped Sink Enamel - Repair or Replace?

I was recently consulted by a customer on what to do about a chipped kitchen sink. This is a fairly common problem for customers whose sinks have an enamel finish. The older the sink the more likely it is to find a small chip here or there.

Sometimes it doesn't take much to crack the enamel finish. The break is often the least of the problem, particularly for a small break. Usually the rust that can follow quickly as the metal is exposed is much more visible and problematic.

So what can you do about chipped enamel on a kitchen sink?

1. Repair It - you can purchase an enamel repair kit and patch the crack yourself.
2. Have It Repaired - look for a reputable company to do a professional repair or a complete re-enamel.
3. Replace It - in some cases if the break is too large, the rust too extensive or the sink too dated the best option may be to replace it with a new kitchen sink.

The choice of how to deal with a chipped kitchen sink is up to you. Consider the time and expense required as well as how much you like your current sink. For some it may be the perfect excuse to change the look of the kitchen with a different colored enamel or a whole new sink.