Dowell FAQ

Here are 5 easy steps for cleaning your stainless steel sink:

• Rinse the whole sink with tap water
• Sprinkle baking soda over the entire sink
• Scrub the sink with a soft-bristled brush
• Spray white vinegar over the baking soda residue left on the sink
• Rinse the whole sink with tap water and towel dry

As tap water evaporates, trace elements of minerals and salts can leave a film or hard water deposits. Spots or discoloration can also be caused by rubber mats or wet sponges left on the sink. The film can be removed with regular dish soap and water and a soft cloth. Hard water spots can be removed using white vinegar. After use or cleaning, always rinse your sink thoroughly and towel dry.

Gauge is a measure of the thickness of the stainless steel. The lower the gauge, the thicker the stainless steel; so, a 16 gauge sink will be thicker and less susceptible to dents than a thinner 20 gauge sink. High-end residential kitchen sinks generally use 16-to-18 gauge stainless steel.

Stainless steel does not rust, but metal particles that do rust (from pots, pans, cans, steel wool, etc.) may bond to the surface of your sink to give the appearance of rust. Scrubbing with a mild cleanser will remove rusty discolorations from the surface of your sink. Always clean in the same direction as the grain lines of the finish and remember to thoroughly rinse and towel dry./p>

The coating of material on the outside bottom of your sink absorbs sound, protects against condensation and helps maintain sink water temperature.

Most stainless steel products will scratch with every day use and typically these scratches will blend over time. A lightly abrasive cleaner (such as a whitening toothpaste) can remove light scratches from stainless steel as long as the scratch is rubbed with the grain of the metal.

A Farmhouse sink (also called an Apron-Front sink) can be installed as an under-mount sink onto an existing base kitchen cabinet. This will generally require that the existing base cabinet be modified to remove the faux front drawer and to install supports inside the cabinet to carry the weight of the sink. Supports can be made from lengths of 2"x4" wood attached to the sides, front and/or back of the inside of the cabinet. Lengths and placement of these supports will depend on the cabinet dimensions and location of existing plumbing. Supports should be glued and screwed to the inside cabinet wall (using screw lengths that won't pierce the outside of the cabinet).

A pop up drain opens and closes by pressing on the top of the drain itself. Regular drains are controlled by a lever usually attached to the faucet.

Generally, yes. However, if you are changing finishes (say, from chrome to brass), you may want to change the drain assembly to match the finish of your new faucet.

Always blot dry any water from faucet surface. Allowing water to evaporate on the surface can lead to build up of mineral deposits. Cleaning with a damp non-abrasive sponge and buffing it dry with a clean soft cloth should help keep your product looking beautiful.