How to Replace Your Bathroom Sink

If you have been staring at the sink in the kitchen for a while and wondering not only when you are

going to get the job done but how to get it done read on for a simple step by step process.

1. Turn off the Water This is the obvious place to begin to avoid a huge mess. To

turn off the water there are a couple different options.

Take a look underneath the sink to look for the water

valves. They should be simple valves that you twist to shut

off the water to the sink (generally these will be quarter

turn valves). If they look like very old valves don’t touch

them as they may have been rusted and twisting them may

end up breaking them spilling water everywhere. Instead,

head down to the basement and turn off the water from

there. Then head back upstairs and take a bowl and place it underneath the valve beneath the sink as

some water will spill. Grab a pair of adjustable locking plyers and remove the flexible hoses from the

valves.

2. Disconnect the Drain. Directly beneath the sink you will find a drain pipe that goes down from the sink into a u or s bend pipe

called the trap. Slide your bowl underneath the trap and take your adjustable plyers and loosen the

bold holding the drain pipe to the trap. Now that the pipe is loose you will be able to move the vanity of

the bathroom up off the trap pipe and out away from the wall. Check for any screws that may be

holding the vanity to the wall. If your vanity does not move hopefully you can completely remove the

trap pipe from the pipe flowing into the wall to give yourself some room to maneuver the old sink

upwards. Be aware that some water and probably a good amount of filth will come out of the trap pipe

as you remove it.

3. Install the Vanity This is really up to you if the vanity needs to be

replaced or if you would like to permanently install the

vanity so it doesn’t shift. You will want to screw it into

the wall using dry wall screw. If you are drilling into

tile make sure to drill into the grout between the tiles

rather than the tiles themselves as they will crack and

fall from the wall. If you are having trouble with the

screw, take a masonry bit and drill a hole into the wall

and place your molly bit.

4. Install the Sink Flip the top of the vanity over (which you should have removed from the rest of the cabinets, etc. below

and install the faucet (follow the instructions for the individual faucet you choose to install. Depending

on your choice you may need to drill larger wholes through the top of the vanity. After you have placed

the faucet you will want to place the drain into the bottom of the sink tightening the bold on the drain

located just below the bottom of the sink. Make sure it fits snugly so there is no leaking water. You can

reuse your flexible lines if you wish but it may be a good idea to replace them looking for the kind that

have wire mesh sewn into them. Attach these hoses to the bottom of the sink/vanity before placing it

back onto the vanity. The compression fittings on these hoses do not need Teflon tape. Tighten the

fittings all the way down and then a quarter turn more. Make sure not to over tighten these.

5. Place the Sink Back Now that the faucet, drain, and wire lines are attached to the sink place the sink back on the vanity base

and dry fit it to make sure that everything lines up. If it looks good remove the sink and then add

adhesive to the top of the vanity base and place the sink along with top vanity back onto the vanity

base. Let the glue or other adhesive dry.

6. Reconnect the Pipes Go through and attach the two lines the drain pipe to the

trap pipe and make sure it fits snugly. When you are

putting the pipes together use a Teflon paste sealant.

This will help the threads seal together. Also make sure

that your two water lines are on the correct valve (hot for

hot and cold for cold). The right is usually cold and the

left is usually hot but whatever you want to do.

7. Turn the water back on First remove your air filter from your faucet. Place your bowl back beneath the pipes and slowly begin

to open the valves checking that nothing is leaking. After the valves are open go ahead and open your

faucet and watch the water flow into the sink, down the drain pipe, and out of the bathroom without

any leaking. Check that the faucet works and the water flows well. Screw back on the air filter, and

viola, the job is done.

You may find that there is an issue with the plumbing and if that is the case check with a general

contractor or plumber before you start playing with the pipes, especially if this is your first time.

Photo Pin: Sean, maury.mccown, DayLove