How To Install A Drop In Bathroom Sink?

How To Install A Drop In Bathroom Sink?
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: October 28, 2021
  • Updated On: August 21, 2023

Because the bathroom sink is the most often used fixture, it is critical to install a water-tight. Installing a bathroom sink on a bathroom vanity requires some basic plumbing knowledge, but it’s not a complex project.

Whether you’re planning a bathroom renovation or starting from scratch, patience and attention to detail, as well as a bit of dexterity, will come in helpful.

Drop-in bathroom sinks come in a variety of materials. You can go to your local hardware store and pick the one you like best. However, make sure it’s the same size as your old drop-in sink. If you have all the necessary materials and tools, the work can be accomplished in a few hours. This is how you go about accomplishing it.

Collect The Needed Tools And Materials

You can install a new sink with basic tools and new components that match the valves currently installed in your plumbing. Make certain you have the following items:

  • Silicone caulking
  • Pliers and wrenches
  • Basin wrench
  • Sockets for piping
  • Bendable hoses
  • Faucet
  • PTFE tape

Prepare The Area

Turning off the hot and cold-water supplies is the second step in replacing or installing a drop-in bathroom sink. If you have any extra fittings, such as waste disposal, make sure you turn off the electricity to it.

You’ll have to switch off the main water supply if the valves aren’t beneath the sink. This is usually found near the water meter on a lower level or in the basement. Before beginning, turn on the hot and cold water in the sink and check sure no water comes out.

Move Out The Old Sink

If you’re changing a sink, you’ll have to take out the old one first before installing the new one. Using locking pliers or a crescent wrench, disconnect the supply and drain lines from the faucet. It’s typical for a tiny amount of water to come out when you do this.

To handle the water that spills out, use a bucket or a towel. Place a bucket under the supply lines to catch any water leaks when removing the sink. By turning on the faucet, you can drain any surplus water.

Measure The Size Of New Sink

All new sinks should come with a mounting opening template that includes a cut-out for the sink and marks the placement of the faucet holes. The template can be used to ensure the sink will fit in the intended area.

If it doesn’t, you might have to trim the opening or cut the entire opening if you’re putting a sink in a house that’s still being built. To keep the sink in place, most new sinks come with clips and screws. When you purchase a faucet, it may include a drain and sink tailpiece.

Install The New Sink

Set the sink into the hole with a tiny bead of silicone around the bottom lip. Smooth a line or clean up any extra silicone. You may need to caulk in various areas depending on the shape of the sink and the opening where it connects to the plumbing lines.

Put a bead of silicone under the sink, have someone hold it in place, then install the connection clips that came with the sink. If you’re putting the sink in a granite or stone counter, you may need to pre-drill holes with a diamond carbide tip.

Use Protective Clips

In addition to the sealing caulk, new sinks often come with connecting clips to anchor the pieces in place. The design of this varies depending on the type of sink, but it usually functions as a lever to keep the sink in place. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the instructions that came with the new sink.

Install Drain Kit And Faucet

New faucets are typically screwed on in a clockwise manner to the faucet assembly. Some faucets feature a rubber gasket around the base that easily screws in, while others require silicone sealant to fasten to the sink or counter. Reach up below the faucet and secure it with the lock nuts included in the installation package.

Drop the tailpiece into the sink and secure it with the tailpiece nut from below. A few sinks already have gaskets and tailpieces. If it doesn’t, build the seal with non-hardening plumber’s putty or silicone. To secure the tailpiece, use the gasket and the locknut.

Add Silicone Sealant To All The Connections

Finish by applying silicon to the top of the sink and anyplace the sink basin contacts the wall, filling any gaps with a thin bead of caulk. Allow at least one day for the caulk to dry before turning on the water and inspecting your work for leaks.

Reconnect All The Pipes

Reconnect all of the drains that were previously disconnected. The drains must be linked to the drain pipes again. Apply a pipe joint compound to the supply lines’ threads. The supply lines should then be connected to the faucet.

Check For Leaks At The End

You won’t know whether something is going to leak until the water is turned on. Try tightening the rubber connections more if you have minor leaks. Overtightening and straining the seal established by the connecting gaskets might cause the drain to leak.

Instead, get a new washer. It’s also a good idea to inspect the gasket beneath the tailpiece.

Tighten the nut further, or use a different washer or silicone. If there is any excess putty surrounding the drain, be sure to remove it. Restore the water supply by turning on the spigots.

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Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

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