A step by step process to replacing your bathroom sink. Get started on your project today!

1. 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.

2. 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