Does your sink look old, stained or outdated in the bathroom? Adding a fresh, new sink can dramatically enhance the overall appeal of the room. Installing a pedestal sink could enhance the space in your bathroom. Whatever the reason installing a sink is an easy do-it-yourself project that you can undertake.
Tools
- Tape measure
- Pipe wrench
- Pry bar
- Utility knife
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver
Materials
- Sink
- Faucet
- Trap
- Tail piece
- Supply lines
- Silicone caulk or plumber\’s putty
- Teflon® tape
Measuring For the Replacement Sink
You need to make sure that the replacement sink is the same size or slightly larger than the original sink if you are replacing a countertop sink. Double-check the measurements of your old sink before purchasing the new one. Measure the length, width and depth of the old sink.
Disconnecting the Plumbing
- Turn off the water supply.
- Loosen the slip nuts on the trap and remove it. Disconnect the supply lines from the faucet. All of the plumbing should now be disconnected from the sink.
Removing A Counter Top Sink
- Loosen clips that attached the sink to the countertop. If they won\’t detach, break them off and throw them away. Be careful not to damage the counter.
- With a utility knife, cut the seal along the rim or wedge it apart with a small pry bar. Put a rag or cardboard under the pry to protect the counter if you use a pry bar.
- Remove the sink out of the counter.
- If the sink and countertop are a one-piece unit, there should be sealant holding the countertop to the vanity. Use a utility knife to cut the seal.
Removing a Wall-Mounted Sink
- Get someone to help you hold the sink while you disconnect the plumbing. If the sink is mounted in a bracket, you should be able to lift it out as soon as the plumbing is disconnected.
- If the sink is bolted to the wall, have a helper hold the sink while you remove the bolts. Once the bolts are removed, the sink should be free.
Installing the New Sink
- Install the faucet in the new sink.
- Apply plumber\’s putty on the drain flange inside the sink, insert the drain assembly and install any washers provided. Tighten the locking nut until putty squeezes out from the drain flange. Wipe away excess putty.
- Turn the sink upside down and place it on a towel or other nonabrasive surface. Run a ¼ inch bead of silicone or latex caulk under the sink rim and lower the sink into position. Press down firmly until caulk squeezes out around the rim of the sink. Wipe off excess caulk. If the new sink requires clips, install them at this time.
Installing Pedestal Sink
- Pedestal sinks are made up of two parts: the sink and the pedestal (or base). The weight of the bowl isn\’t carried entirely by the base as a bracket ties the bowl to the wall for additional support. Its like a wall-mounted sink with pedestal.
- Place the lavatory and pedestal in the desired position. Level and square the assembly, then mark the mounting-hole locations on the wall and on the floor.
- Drill pilot holes for the fasteners in the wall and floor. If you\’re drilling tile, use a masonry bit, affixing a piece of tape on the areas to be drilled to keep the bit centered. Next, install the Drain Assembly and Faucet.
- Secure the lavatory to the wall with lag screws or other supplied fasteners. Then connect the trap to the drain assembly. With some pedestal sinks, you must rest the bowl on the pedestal, positioned close to the wall, and then hook up the waste and supply lines before securing the bowl to the wall.
- Once you\’ve secured the bowl, drill a pair of pilot holes in the floor for the bolts that will secure the pedestal to the floor. The pedestal base typically has a pair of notches in the base for these fasteners. Be careful not to over-tighten the bolts as this can crack porcelain. If the sink has a nut or rod that connects it to the pedestal, secure the device. Connect the supply lines and install the pedestal.
Installing Wall-Mounted Sinks
- Wall-mounted sinks are either hung on a metal bracket that is attached to the wall\’s framing or bolted directly to the framing (as shown here). Follow the manufacturer\’s installation instructions carefully.
- Because wall-mounted sinks need proper support, it is necessary to remove a small section of drywall so you can access the wall studs and attach blocking between them. Measure about 30 inches above the floor and the sink\’s measurements to determine where the support will be needed. Remove drywall in that area and install 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 blocking between wall studs.
- Toenail the blocking to the studs with 3 1/2-inch galvanized common nails. Then repair the drywall.
- Mark the position of the mounting plate of sink through the holes in the plate or sink on the wall. Drill pilot holes for lag screws or other fasteners supplied by the manufacturer; if the wall is tile, use a masonry bit. Then install the faucet and drain and pop-up assemblies on the sink.
- Secure the sink or the sink\’s metal mounting plate to the blocking with the lag screws. Check to make sure the sink or mounting plate is level.
Connecting Plumbing to the New Sink
- Make sure that the drain assembly is secure, and then connect the supply lines to the faucet tailpieces. Connect the stopper assembly according to the manufacturer\’s instructions. If the drain requires a tailpiece between the trap and the drain assembly, install it now. Install the trap. Check all of the connections for tightness.
- Turn the water back on and check for leaks at the faucet. Tighten the connections slowly if there is a leak until it stops.
- Turn on the faucet and check the drain for leaks. If leaks appear, tighten the slip nuts
