Fitted Kitchens advice and information

Fitted Kitchens information for those who want to go it alone and fit it by themsleves. Lots of usefull kitchen installation advice

Fitted Kitchens Installation Preparation

1. Remove old fitted Kitchens
Preparation should take place a few days prior to fitting kitchens and provision will no doubt have to be made to visit the local take-away for the duration. Once the kitchen sink has been removed, it’s a good idea to fit an angled washing machine valve to the cold supply for filling the kettle while you’re without a sink. Fit blanks to all other exposed pipe work.

2. Check your plumbing and electricity
The ideal time to carry out plumbing and electrical alterations in fitted kitchens is prior to any re-plastering. As kitchens are the place where most electrical appliances are concentrated, it is important to check that your existing wiring is capable of coping with the load placed on it at busy periods.
If you possess a plan for your new fitted kitchens, obtaining a first fix preparation layout will help you to determine the position of all electrical and plumbing services to the nearest millimetre. As well as reducing installation time, arranging your own first fix should also reduce installation costs.
Wall socket boxes and tails of cable for sockets below worktop height can now be positioned where required. Provision should also be made for ceiling and under-cupboard lighting at this stage.

Gas and water services can also be positioned in preparation for cabinet installation in fitted kitchens, as can any waste pipes or extraction holes.
At this point it is important to refer to the laws relating to work on gas appliances or fittings. Details can be found at the following web address:
http://www.corgi-gas.com/working_law.asp
Once the pipe-work is in position behind the relevant cabinet/s, fitting isolating valves will eliminate the need to shut off the house water supply whilst the fitted kitchens installation is being carried out. Provision to access these valves can be made later when fitting the cabinets. A good point to remember at this stage is to ensure any pipe-work passing behind integrated appliances in kitchens is installed tight to the wall and at a low level depending on the appliance depth and configuration. Overlooking this point will mean your integrated appliance doors will protrude from adjacent cabinet doors.
This is to be avoided unless you wish to set a new trend!

3. Check your walls
After removing your old fitted kitchens it’s worth checking the condition of the plaster.
The finish and strength of the walls ultimately determine how kitchens will look and to ignore it at this stage may spoil the final appearance.
Fitted kitchens or tiles to perished plastering is like placing your best china in a fruit-box and I strongly advise any rectification to be made during preparation, (a sight you won’t relish after installation is the plasterer standing on your kitchens worktops trying to reach the bare wall above your new cupboards). You may find that although your walls can be re-plastered after fitting, your kitchens worktops and sink have more scratches than an ice rink.
If major plastering is required once you have removed your old kitchen units, be sure to give it sufficient time to dry before fitting any units otherwise the cabinets will swell due to moisture content
Although time taken on completing the above will of course prolong the installation, it will ultimately bring you peace of mind and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that all your surfaces are sound.

4. One final step before installation
Once you’ve completed the above steps and your plastering is dry you’re ready to mark levels on the wall.
Firstly, determine the depth of the floor covering and add this measurement to the height of the units (without worktops). For example: Depth of tiles = 12mm. Height of units = 870mm. A line will be made at a height of 882mm. This will allow easy fitting of the kickboard on completion.
Having completed the preparation it’s now time to begin fitting the units and providing services have been positioned correctly this will be a much easier task than you thought. © Tim Foley 2003

Tim Foley is a writer and expert within the kitchen industry and is project consultant to ITV's 60 Minute Makeover.
Tim provides reference to the national press and magazines on kitchen related matters.
Email: info@fittedkitchens.co.uk

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