How To Remove A Pedestal Sink And Install A Vanity (Do This!)

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team
Installing a vanity can add value to a bathroom, but it can be tricky to remove the pedestal sink to make it possible. You must first shut off the water and remove the P-trap before you can do anything else. Follow along as we explore the 10 steps that it takes to remove a pedestal sink and install a vanity.

Many of us get the itch to remodel our bathrooms at some point. After getting used to seeing the same fixtures again and again, changing them up can be quite refreshing. One big change you can make is to replace a pedestal sink with a bathroom vanity.

Get started on removing the pedestal sink by shutting off the water supply and unscrewing the hose. You can then remove the P-trap and the sealant used around the sink. Work on removing the sink itself by either loosening some screws or removing the adhesive used.

To install the vanity, use a stud finder to find a spot for it and mark its measurements on the wall. Create openings for the pipes at the back of the vanity if needed and place it into position. Secure the vanity into the wall using screws and then add the sink later.

Replacing your old pedestal sink with a new bathroom vanity is going to take a lot of work. It will all be worth in the end though when you see your beautiful new bathroom. Learn more about how to properly complete all those jobs by reading on.

Do You Need to Hire a Plumber?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

How to Remove the Pedestal Sink

You cannot bring in your new bathroom vanity without first taking out your old pedestal sink. Included below are the steps you need to follow for proper pedestal sink removal.

Step 1: Prepare the Tools for Sink Removal

The tools you’ll need to remove the pedestal sink include pliers, a wrench, a utility knife, and some buckets. You may also need a putty knife and hammer depending on how your pedestal sink was installed.

Step 2: Shut Off the Water Supply

Go underneath the sink now and look for the water supply valves there. Turn them off and then place some buckets under them.

Grab your pliers now and use it to detach the hose from the faucet. You should also detach the hoses from the supply valves and allow any water they’re holding to fall into the buckets.

Step 3: Take Out the P-Trap

Find the P-trap under the sink and look for a nut just above it. Before working on that nut, place another bucket beneath the P-trap. You can now work on removing the trap by unscrewing the nut by hand or with your pliers.

Step 4: Cut Away the Sealant Used

Pick up your utility knife and use it to cut away the sealant used on the pedestal sink. Cut away the sealant along the perimeter of the sink and its base.

Step 5A: Remove the Pedestal Sink by Loosening the Mounting Nuts

With the sealant now cut away, you can work on removing the sink itself. Ask a friend or family member to grab the sink while you use your wrench to remove the mounting nuts. The sink might fall to the ground after the mounting nuts are removed so holding it up is important.

If you intend to use the sink again, set it aside for now. You should also remove the parts present in the sink at this point.

Step 5B: Remove the Pedestal Sink by Getting Rid of the Adhesive

In cases where the sink is glued to the wall, you must use a putty knife and hammer to remove it. Slip the putty knife into the space between the wall and the sink then strike it with a hammer carefully. Continue striking the putty knife until the sink is freed up.

Step 6: Detach the Pedestal Base

Last up, remove the pedestal base by loosening up the bolts that connect it to the bathroom floor. Your wrench should be good enough to handle this job.

How to Install the Bathroom Vanity

It’s now time to install your bathroom vanity. Compared to removing the pedestal sink, installing the new vanity will require more work, but it’s eminently doable.

Step 1: Prepare the Tools for Bathroom Vanity Installation

To install the vanity properly, you’ll need a tape measure, a marker, a stud finder, a drill, a level, and screws. Optional items you may need include a saw, shims, a utility knife, and some wall anchors.

Step 2: Find the Ideal Spot for Your Bathroom Vanity

You must first identify the best spot for your bathroom vanity. Work on that by first using your tape measure and marker to note the space your vanity will occupy. The instructions included with your vanity may also tell you how to make those measurements.

Use the stud finder next and try your best to line up your vanity with that load-bearing unit. Once you’ve found the appropriate stud, you can note it with your marker.

Optional Step: Create Openings for the Pipes

Check on the vanity and see if it has an open back. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to cut holes into it with your saw to create openings for the pipes.

Measure your pipes first to get an idea of how big the openings need to be. After taking the measurements, create openings that are a bit bigger than them. It’s important to make the openings slightly bigger so the pipes have enough space to expand and move around.

Step 3: Put the Bathroom Vanity into Position

Remove the doors, drawers, and other compartments of the bathroom vanity before moving it. They could get in your way and wind up damaged so remove them for now.

Place the bathroom vanity into the designated spot and make sure it lines up with your measurements. Use a level to see if the bathroom vanity is properly aligned.

If the vanity is a bit short, you can adjust its feet until it reaches the right height. Some vanities don’t have adjustable feet so you’ll have to use shims to set them properly. Cut away the excess material once the shims are in place to get the vanity into the right position.

Step 4: Secure the Bathroom Vanity

Use your drill now to go through both the vanity and the bathroom wall until you hit the stud. You may have to switch drill bits depending on the materials you’re working on.

Once the holes have been made, grab some screws and secure your bathroom vanity with their help. Homeowners can secure their bathroom vanity even better by using some wall anchors.

How Should You Go about Adding the Sink to the Bathroom Vanity?

At this point, you are very close to finishing your bathroom remodel, but there’s still one more important thing to do. That involves installing the sink inside your new bathroom vanity.

Compared to the pedestal sink removal and the bathroom vanity installation, installing the sink is way more complicated. Getting the sink into position and sealing it in place are jobs DIYers can handle. However, creating the plumbing connections is not so easy.

If you have plenty of experience in plumbing, then you can go ahead and install the sink inside the vanity. For those who don’t have a lot of experience working on plumbing, calling in professional help is not a bad idea.

You can even take this opportunity to replace your old pipes. Replacing them later on could lead to the bathroom vanity getting damaged. Replace them now so you don’t have to worry about your bathroom vanity for a long time.

Do You Need to Hire a Plumber?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

What Are the Advantages of Having a Pedestal Sink in the Bathroom?

Pedestal sinks are an older type of bathroom fixture. Despite how long they’ve been around though, pedestal sinks still bring a lot of good features to the table.Probably the biggest point in favor of pedestal sinks is that they can fit into any kind of bathroom setting. It doesn’t matter whether you have a small or large bathroom, a pedestal sink can work in there. Pedestal sinks are also suitable for homeowners who want their bathrooms to be more open.Another reason to favor pedestal sinks is that they are quite durable. Pedestal sinks can remain in fine working condition for decades as long as you maintain them properly. Vanity sinks are pretty durable themselves, but if the vanity itself is damaged, the sink may not be able to stay.You’ll also have an easier time maintaining a pedestal sink. Just use your favorite cleaning solution for the fixtures and the porcelain to keep them in good shape. There’s no need to worry about the surroundings of the pedestal sink falling into disrepair.


What Are the Advantages of Having a Vanity Sink in the Bathroom?

Sinks built into bathroom vanities have their own positive features. Take note of them if you’re trying to decide which type of sink to install in your bathroom.Arguably the best reason to opt for installing a bathroom vanity sink is all the additional storage space you’re getting. Regardless of how big your bathroom vanity is, it will still offer more storage space than a pedestal sink.Use that space to keep items you often need inside the bathroom easily accessible. The added space will also keep your bathroom better organized. Vanities also allow homeowners to create more stylish bathrooms. They allow the plumbing to be hidden while also being decorative elements themselves.

Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

More by Upgraded Home Team

Next