A few years ago a local fabricator told me about this little trick he used for countertop removal.  He always had water and plumbing parts strewn around the sink base cabinet.  He stumbled onto these aluminum baking pans you buy at the store during Thanksgiving.

They are lightweight, cheap and you can leave them on the job.  As you disconnect the plumbing there is always a bit of water left in the pipes and drains.  It tends to go everywhere and there is no containing it.

Start by placing the pan under the supply lines as your remove the hot and cold lines.  Let the lines drain directly into the pan.  Next remove the drains.  Of course this gets a little stinky.

Quick Tip - Run hot water through drains for couple minutes prior to removal.  This will flush the drains a bit before you have to touch the nasty water.

Now as you disassemble the plumbing fixtures, drains, supply lines, garbage disposal washers, and drain baskets, just put them all in the baking pan.  After your done, just take the entire pan outside and dump the water.  Place back under the sink base cabinet for the plumber.

If you leave it for the plumber, you will never be accused of throwing anything out.  Let the homeowner decide.

About the Author:  Andy Graves is the owner and operator of Olive Mill Manufacturing Inc. in Anaheim California.  Olive Mill specialized in residential and commercial countertop fabrication/installation.  Graves can be reached at olivemill@hotmail.com   Visit his website:  www.olivemill.com