How to Install a Pedestal Sink to Elevate Your Bathroom

Introduction

Replacing your old vanity cabinet with a pedestal sink is one of the quickest and easiest ways to remodel a small bathroom. But we should warn you — pedestal sinks can be tricky to put in, even for pros.

Often the pipes aren’t in the right spot, making it difficult to fit the pedestal in place and connect the pipes so they look nice. You may discover there’s no floor tile underneath the vanity cabinet, so you’ll have to patch or replace the floor. And you may also need to patch missing baseboard.

In the following article, we’ll show you how to handle the most common problems, including how to relocate your drain and water pipes for a neater installation.

You can install a new pedestal bathroom sink and faucet in a day even with no previous experience. If you have to relocate the pipes, plan to spend a few more days to move them, then patch and paint the wall. For this you’ll need basic plumbing skills, like soldering copper and cutting and gluing plastic pipe.

Be sure to contact your building inspections department to see whether a permit is required for this plumbing work.

Besides the items listed above, a few other items that may be useful depending on the type of plumbing materials you are using and the scope of your project. These are:

Soldering tools and supplies: Propane or Mapp gas tank with regulator, lead-free solder Flux, wire brush for 1/2-inch fittings, Emery cloth, heat shield cloth, leather gloves, 10-foot length of 1/2-inch copper pipe, 1/2-inch copper elbows, couplings and caps.

PVC pipe tools and supplies: Fine-tooth saw, PVC glue, PVC primer, 1-1/2-inch PVC pipe, PVC 45- or 90-degree elbows, PVC sanitary tee, transition couplings and an organic vapor respirator.

Other tools: Reciprocating saw with a metal-cutting blade, circular saw, drywall keyhole saw.

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