Sink and Faucet Frame

Abstract

A method for protecting the wood board layer from potential water damage during use is disclosed. The method for protecting the wood board layer from potential water damage originating from the faucet plumbing provides for replacing the particle board with non-porous plastic blocks in the areas in which holes are drilled in order to accommodate the faucet plumbing. The non-porous plastic blocks enclose the faucet plumbing and prevent the water from a possible leak to come in contact with the particle board areas around the plumbing for a long enough period of time until the leak can be repaired. The method for protecting the wood board layer from potential water damage originating from the sink caulking provides for applying a waterproof sealer to the bottom of the particle board in an area around the sink apertures that has a perimeter extending at least 2 inches from the sink aperture.

1 . A method for protecting a countertop frame from potential water damage, wherein said countertop frame is adapted for a sink and faucet structure, said countertop frame having an aperture for placing a sink, said faucet structure having a plurality of faucet members, said countertop frame also having a top side and a bottom side, said top side comprises a laminate layer, said bottom side comprises a wood particle board layer, said laminate layer is glued to the particle board layer, said method comprising:
 A. removing a plurality of sections from the wood particle board layer to form a plurality of cavities in the wood particle board layer, wherein each cavity size and placement is adapted to fit a corresponding faucet member counterpart and wherein each cavity has a bottom and side walls, said cavity bottom comprises of the laminate layer;   B. providing a plastic block insert for said cavity, said plastic block insert having a top surface, a bottom surface and sides, said plastic block insert tightly fits into the cavity side walls;   C. applying an abrasive surface to the bottom surface and to the sides of said plastic block insert to enhance the roughness of the bottom surface and sides of said plastic block insert;   D. applying an adhesive to the bottom surface and sides of said plastic block insert;   E. pressing said plastic block insert into the cavity in a manner that the bottom of said insert is substantially flush against the bottom of the cavity, and said top of the insert being substantially flush with the bottom side of the countertop;   F. allowing the adhesive to harden;   G. drilling through the insert and laminate layers to form an aperture having an appropriate diameter for fitting a corresponding faucet member; and   H. inserting a faucet pipe into the aperture and applying an appropriate adhesive to the aperture and pipes to glue the pipe in place as needed.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the section removed from the wood particle board layer is substantially rectangular. 
   
   
       3  The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the section removed from the wood particle board layer is substantially square. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the section removed from the wood particle board layer is substantially cylindrical. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises of a bi-component epoxy material. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive surface is sandpaper. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic block insert is made of a solid non-porous block. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic block insert comprises of PVC. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic block insert comprises of an acrylic polymer. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic block insert comprises of a polyester polymer. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing the wood particle board layer sections is accomplished by drilling. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing the wood particle board layer sections is accomplished by routing. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising of applying a waterproof sealer to the bottom of the particle board, said waterproof sealer covers an area around the sink aperture having a perimeter extending at least 2 inches from the sink aperture. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof sealer is catalyzed PVA glue. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof sealer is water based neoprene. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof sealer is solvent based neoprene. 
   
   
       17 . A method for protecting a countertop frame from potential water damage, wherein said countertop frame is adapted for a sink and faucet system, said countertop frame having an aperture for placing a sink, said faucet system having a plurality of faucet members, said countertop frame also having a top side and a bottom side, said top side comprises a laminate layer, said bottom side comprises a wood particle board layer, said laminate layer is glued to the particle board layer, said method comprising:
 A. removing a section from the wood particle board layer to form a channel in the wood particle board layer, wherein the channel size and placement is adapted to fit a plurality of faucet members, said channel has a bottom and side walls, said channel bottom comprises of the laminate layer;   B. providing a plastic block insert, said plastic block insert having a top surface, a bottom surface and sides, said plastic block insert tightly fits into the channel side walls;   C. applying an adhesive to the bottom and sides of said plastic block insert;   D. applying an abrasive surface to the bottom surface of said plastic block insert to enhance the roughness of the bottom surface of said plastic block insert;   E. pressing said plastic block insert into the channel in a manner that the bottom of said insert is flush against the bottom of the channel and said top of the insert is substantially flush with the bottom side of the countertop;   F. allowing the adhesive to harden;   G. drilling through the insert and laminate layers to form one or more apertures, wherein each aperture has an appropriate diameter for fitting a corresponding faucet member; and   H. inserting faucet pipes into the apertures and applying an appropriate adhesive to the apertures and pipes to glue the pipe in place as needed.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising applying a waterproof sealer to the bottom of the particle board, said waterproof sealer covers an area around the sink aperture having a perimeter extending at least 2 inches from the sink aperture. 
   
   
       19 . A countertop frame for installation onto a sink and faucet counter comprising:
 A. a top side and a bottom side, said top side contains a laminate layer, said bottom side contains a wood particle board layer, said laminate layer is glued to the particle board layer;   B. an aperture for placing a sink; and   C. a plastic block, said plastic block is wedged in a channel removed from the wood particle board layer, said plastic block has a plurality of holes drilled to accommodate plumbing for faucet members.