While a bathroom vanity is a lovely luxury, the pedestal sink is becoming increasingly more popular, as it creates more space in a small bathroom. An incredibly stylish option, the pedestal sink is easy to install and gives the bathroom a new look in no time. Let’s take a look at how to install a pedestal sink in one day, even if you don’t have any prior experience.
Did You Know? The first pedestal sinks were made from enameled cast iron, until 1915 when manufacturers started using the glass-like porcelain which we now know as vitreous china.
Before we get going, a few words of warning. While the process of installing the sink is easy enough, if the plumbing is not in the right place, it can be tricky to position the pedestal and to make it look good. Sometimes, there is no flooring underneath the old vanity, which will either require that you patch the floor and baseboard (and this doesn’t always look good!) or to replace the tile.
“Installing a pedestal sink is the mother of all DIY projects,” says [name], Anta’s master plumber. “If one measurement is slightly off, you throw out the plumbing. Make sure you follow the manufacturer guidelines and double check all the measurements.”
Before You Begin
These steps will ensure that you void mistake right from the start:
Once you have chosen your sink, call a professional plumber to rough-in the new drain pipe, ensuring that it is high enough to fit inside your new pedestal.
Install blocking at basin height to provide a solid anchor for the screws that secure the sink to the wall.
Enlist someone to help you, as you can’t hold the sink and secure screws.
Have all your tools handy, including lag screws and washers, in case the sink is not supplied with its own materials.
Installing Your New Pedestal Sink
Step 1 – Prepare & Rough-in
As always before you start a plumbing project, shut off the main water supply and drain the lines into a bucket before cutting them using a compact tubing cutter.
Tip: If you hire a plumber, he will do this for you the right way!
Hold the p-trap alongside the pipe and mark the spot where the PVC shoulder is joined to the elbow. Cut the waste pipe at this mark using a hacksaw.
Step 2 – Prepare the Supply Lines
Remove the burr that was left on the pipes by the tubing cutter and polish the ends with sandpaper. Polish, then flux the insides and slip them over the supply lines along with the escutcheons.
Solder the ends of the supply line, and let it cool slightly and then remove any excess flux.
Step 3 – Install the Drain
Wrap a piece of plumber’s putty underneath the flange around your pop-up drain and drop the pop-up drain through the basin’s clean drain hole.
Insert the gasket and washer before threading the nut into the drain, and tighten it.
Step 4 – Leveling the Basin
Line up the pedestal with the waste pipe, ensuring the distance is the same from the center of the drain and the wall, using a marker to indicate where the holes should be in the wall.
Now place the basin on top of the pedestal, fine-tuning the placement and leveling the sides.
Put a marker through the mounting holes at the back of your basin to indicate where you will drill the holes.
Step 5 – Install the P-trap
As your helper to carefully hold the two parts together and gently move it away from the wall.
Now test-fit the elbow and the P-trap to the waste pipe in order to measure the distance from the open vertical end of the trap to the floor, marking the distance on the waste assembly.
Install the p-trap and slide the trap up to the mark on the tailpiece before threading the nut onto the trap and tightening it.
Drill the holes in the wall at the points you marked for that purpose.
Step 6 – Mount Your Faucet
The manufacturer may have provided o-rings to be inserted under the flanges of the spout and the valves of the faucet; if not, you can insert plumber’s putty at those points before inserting each fitting.
Insert a gasket and nut onto the fittings and tighten it.
Line up the holes in the basin deck with those in the wall and insert the lag screws and fender washers. Once you have tightened it, double check the level and make your final connections.
Be sure to also check for leaks and ensure that the water runs clear of debris before you sit back to admire your handiwork.
If you don’t have 6-8 hours to devote to this job, we highly recommend that you call Anta Plumbing and having the experts install your new pedestal sink.
