8 Steps to Install a New Bathroom Sink

Plumbing is not high on the list of favorite things for most people. Some plumbing projects are not too difficult. They only require a modest amount of ability and a little courage to start and complete. Replacing the sink in the bathroom vanity is one of those projects. A few simple steps and the new bowl can be in place and in use.

Measure the diameter or size of the old sink.

Whether the sink is rectangular or round, a quick measurement with a tape will give you the size of the replacement. Most round bowls fit into an 18 1/2 inch opening. Other shapes can vary but usually fall into one of the standard sizes. Once you have the size, head to the home center and purchase your new sink. If you want a new faucet set, it is an easy time to replace it. You should plan to replace the stopper mechanism and drain pipe. This is a kit that you can purchase when you buy the new sink.

Treat the box with the new sink with care so that replacement is not damaged.

After you arrive home with your new sink, it is time to start the project. Reach under the vanity and turn the cutoff valves to the off position. If you do not have cutoff valves, you will need to shut off the water to the house. This may require a trip to the meter or perhaps to some point in the house where there is a whole house cutoff valve. If there are no cutoff valves on the risers to the sink, you might want to consider buying the hardware to install them now.

Once the water is off, you can disconnect the risers to the sink faucets.

First, open the faucet to let off any residual pressure. Unscrew the nuts that hold the risers to the water source. There will be one for hot and one for cold. Most of these require a half inch end wrench, but most adjustable wrenches can get the job done. When the riser tubes have been released from their lower attachments, unscrew the nut that holds the drain from the sink to the trap. Next, reach behind the drain tube and remove the spring latch that fastens the rod to the sink stopper. This will let you slide the bar off of the stopper control mechanism.

Under the sink will be from four to six screw attachments that hold the sink to the counter top.

Loosen these clamps with a flat screwdriver or a nutdriver. The new sink should come with a new set of these, but keep them for now just in case you do not have new ones. When all of these fasteners have been removed, the sink should be ready to lift out of the counter top. Usually, a sharp tap under the sink will jar it loose. You can then lift the sink with the riser tubes and drain tube from the vanity and set it aside.

If you are going to use the old faucet, turn the sink upside down and unscrew the nuts that hold it to the sink.

To reuse the faucet, just leave the riser tubes on the faucet. If you have a new faucet set, remove the risers from the old set and attach them to the new one. Leave the old faucet attached to the old sink unless you have a purpose for it rather than disposal. To use the old faucet, this is a good time to clean it up and polish it to make it look nice with the new sink.

Attach the faucet to the new sink.

Whether you are replacing the faucet or reusing the old one, turn the new sink upside down on something soft and attach the faucet firmly into place. Some recommend putting some plumber's putty under the faucet, but this is not really needed if the faucet fits tightly to the new sink. The new drain should come with a rubber gasket to go under the metal portion that sits in the bottom of the sink. If not, put in a layer of plumber's putty before tightening the drain kit into place. Assemble the stopper according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Put a layer of plumber's putty or silicon along the edge of the counter where the sink will sit after the counter top is cleaned.

Flip the sink over and lower it into place. Ease the drain into the opening of the trap. Be sure to slide the nut onto the drain pipe and slip the gasket into place. Push the drain into the trap and tighten the nut. Fit the riser tubes back onto the water supply lines and tighten the nuts.

Work your way around the sink attaching the fasteners to hold it in place.

If new fasteners came with the new sink, use the new fasteners to anchor the sink under the counter top. Once all of the anchors are in place, make sure that the drain stopper works properly. Turn the water on. Give your new sink a test run, and the job is complete.