How to install a bathroom sink and sink faucet? Replacing your bathroom sink and faucet is an easy do-it-yourself project. You can replace the sink and even the faucet in your bathroom in less time than it takes to go to the hardware store. In fact the hardest part is going to be to decide what kind of sink and faucet you want in your bathroom.
As with any house project, start off by taking measurements. If you are happy with the sink base you have than find out the dimensions of the top of that base so that you get the right replacement sink. If you decide to replace the sink’s base too, then you will not need to worry about those measurements, because they will be on the box when you buy the new one. If you decide to replace the sink’s base you must make sure that it will fit in your space for your sink and make sure that it is the right height not only for your comfort and desire but also the right height to accommodate the drain line.
Now if you decide to get a new sink base, just find the right one and literally put it in the place of the old one. Sometimes you will need to mount the bases to the wall or floor. If this is the case, there will be a kit with the base, usually. If not, you can get one for a minimal fee at the hardware store. I recommend you make sure that you have everything you need before you leave the store because it can be pretty frustrating when you are deep into a project and realize something is missing. Now, assuming you have decided to replace everything and you have all of your new parts from the store and you’re ready to go, lets begin.
First, you will need to turn off the water lines to the old sink. Most times these are just knobs connected to the water lines where they go into the wall. If you have a house that is not equipped as such and your water lines are always on, then you will need to shut off the main water supply before continuing. Assuming you have the water shut-off valves in your home like the vast majority of us do, just turn them off by turning the valves in a clockwise motion. Try not to over tighten these valves as many times they are made of plastic and can be easy to break or strip out. Once the valves are off, try to use the sink to make sure that the water is shut completely off.
Now, take a locking pliers or a crescent wrench, loosen the water lines where they are connected to the old sink. This will all be underneath or behind the old sink and base. Once these lines are loosened from the old sink, do not worry about a little water coming out. This is normal as there is usually a little water trapped in the lines when you shut off the valves. A small bucket or towel can usually take care of the little bit of water in question.
Now that your water lines are off and disconnected from the sink, you can disconnect the drain. Usually, the drain will go into the wall, but I have seen some that go straight down into the floor. Either way, you will just need to use your locking pliers or maybe even just your hands and simply screw off the large nut that connects the drain directly into the sink basin. The nut will usually be made of plastic but sometimes can be metal too. Either way, once you have disconnected the drain from the old sink basin, you can now pull out your old sink with the faucet still attached to save time. You can take the rest of the faucet apart later if you desire or just get rid of the whole thing.
Now is the time to remove the old sink base if you are doing so. Once the new base is in place (if you are replacing it) you can start to put in your new sink. Place the new sink basin into or on top of the base depending on the style you picked. Once the new sink basin is in place, you can install your new faucet. The new faucet will literally fit right into place. Be sure to use the proper washers and seals included in your new faucet kit or your new sink will leak. The new faucet will usually require three main items be attached to the basin. You will have to screw on nuts to both of the water line intakes and another one for the drain screen. Again just use the locking pliers or crescent wrench and make sure that you have installed the right gaskets and/or seals.
Once the faucet is attached to the new sink basin, you can literally undo what you did when you started this whole project and that is attach everything back to the new sink. I recommend you start by reattaching the drain first. Once the drain is back on, just attach the hot and cold water supply lines to their respective ports on the new faucet. Make sure they are tightly reattached and you are done.
Now all you have to do is turn the water back on. I recommend you start with one at a time and make sure that the line isn’t leaking. Once the water lines are both back on, just turn on the faucet. Make sure that nothing is leaking. If you do have any leaks, just make sure the seals are tight and in working order. Usually if you have a leak, you just need to tighten something. That is it. You probably just replaced your bathroom sink and faucet in less time than it took you to pick it out from the store.
Keep mind that you just installed a brand new sink and faucet that have brand new seals and sometimes those seals need to be adjusted within the first few weeks of use. If you find that you start to leak water from somewhere, you may need to tighten that area whether it is from the new drain screen or from the water supply lines going into the new faucet. Don’t worry about this if it happens, this is totally normal when you are breaking in new rubber gaskets. Congratulations on your new bathroom sink.
