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How to Install a Bathroom Vanity - and Why

So you're remodeling your bathroom, and you want to maximize its potential with a stunning new vanity. But how are you going to get rid of the old one? How are you going to install the new one? Are you going to do it yourself, or hire someone to do it for you, and how much does that cost? And just why, exactly, are you doing this in the first place?

Worry not, friend. Trade Winds Imports has a simple guide that should get you well on your way to the perfect bath vanity installation.

How to Install a Bathroom Vanity

Bathroom vanities are easy to install. In one afternoon a modern bathroom vanity can be installed with standard tools by a mid-level do-it-yourselfer. A basic guide for installing a new vanity follows, but of course, be sure to read the instructions for whatever vanity you buy in case of variance, and as always, if you are unsure about your installation, please hire an expert (or a handy friend).

Remove The Old Vanity

The hardest and possibly most expensive part of installing your new bathroom vanity is simply getting rid of the old one. According to HomeAdvisor, if you hire a professional to help you remove the old unit, you will likely pay between $100 and $400 in labor costs, and another $15 to $100 in material disposal fees.

To remove an old vanity, follow these steps:

  1. First, turn off the water to your bathroom faucet. To do this, turn the shutoff valve(s) for your faucet completely off. To find the valve(s), follow the faucet connectors (the hoses beneath the faucet that connect to the plumbing fixtures in the wall). Turn them clockwise until they can't go any further.
  2. Then, disconnect the sink from the P-trap. The P-trap is the wide pipe that drops diretly under your sink's drain, bows out into a U-shape, and then moves perpendicularly into the wall (the whole thing makes a "P"-shape, see?). It's recommended that you place a bucket under the P-trap to catch any water that may pour out. Loosen the nut on the vertical section of the pipe. Assuming you don't need to replace the plumbing itself, you can leave the rest alone.
  3. Use a crescent wrench to remove the faucet connectors (or "faucet supply lines") from the shutoff valves. Use the bucket from the last step again to catch any possible water.
  4. Now you'll remove the countertop and sink - if it's not caulked in place and stuck to the cabinet, the job here is as easy as lifting the top off the cabinet. If it's caulked, you'll need to first use a utility knife to score and separate the caulk and then pry the top loose with a crowbar or your bare hands if preferred and able. Be careful not to harm the wall behind the sink!
  5. Remove the old cabinet - assuming the vanity cabinet you're getting rid of was an original install, you may have to pry out a few nails or screws attaching the cabinet to the wall. These are usually found in wood studs. You may need a prybar to wedge the vanity away from the wall. Once removed, you can throw the old cabinet out, or give it away to Habitat for Humanity or a similar organization.

Install the New Vanity

Installing your new cabinet shouldn't be too difficult. Most vanities are built to make this process fairly easy, assuming there are no problems with your plumbing and you've bought the right-sized vanity for the space. Here's how you manage the installation:

  1. Line up your new vanity where the old vanity was. Most vanities have a cutout in the back to easily allow the plumbing, including the water shutoff valves, to come right through and into the cabinet. But some vanities don't have that cutout. If that is the case, you will need to cut one out yourself, using a hole saw. Don't worry too much about making this pretty - no one will see it.
  2. Once you've place your vanity, set a level on top of it and make sure it is properly aligned. Shim up any sides that may be out of true.
  3. Affix your vanity to the wall - find the horizontal studs in your wall using a studfinder or the good old knock method and mark their locations with a pencil. Then drill two holes - one in each corner of the vanity back brace, along the perimeter that line up with the studs. Then, use the screws that came with your vanity and drill them throught the holes. Congratulations, you just installed your new vanity cabinet!
  4. Top off your vanity with the countertop and sink combo you chose for your bathroom. You may want to caulk the top to the wall and cabinet (recommended), though this isn't necessary.
  5. Finally, mount your new faucets and re-attach all the faucet connectors and P-trap plumbing to the downstem of your drain.

That's all there is to it! Congratulations, you've installed a brand new vanity!

Why You Should Install a New Bathroom Vanity

There are plenty of great reasons to install a new bathroom vanity. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Style

Bathroom vanities have some of the most cutting edge styles available in bathroom remodeling. But they also have some of the most traditional looks. A bathroom vanity set can turn your bathroom into a Tuscan resort. A different bathroom vanity can turn your bathroom into a state of the art modern bathroom facility. And of course, most bathroom vanities fall in line somewhere between these two extremes. That means there’s a perfect bathroom vanity for your bathroom.

There are a wide variety of bathroom vanity styles. Whether you are installing a quaint single sink vanity for a small corner bathroom in an apartment, or a large double sink bathroom vanity for a spacious luxury home, you will have no trouble finding a vanity of the perfect size.

Bang for Your Buck

Bathroom vanities do not weigh as heavy on your wallet as do other types of bathroom installations. The reason is that there is less labor involved in the installation of a vanity. It is also quicker and easier to install a free-standing vanity than to affix a custom-built bathroom cabinet to the wall.

Increased Home Value

Added value to your home is another common reason for bathroom vanity installation. People judge a home based on the way it looks and feels. A quality bathroom vanity makes the bathroom more appealing and makes the overall ambiance of a home greater. It also improves the bathroom ambiance.

Versatility

Bathroom vanities are modular. That means, if the sink basin chips, you can simply replace the sink basin, not the entire vanity. If the faucet breaks, you can replace only the faucet. Why would you want to install a bathroom set that required you to replace the faucet and cabinet if the sink chipped?

Increased utility is another common bathroom vanity benefit. If a greater need arises, for instance if you used to need one sink, but now you need two sinks, a two sink vanity can be easily installed with the installation of extra plumbing.

We hope you have found this guide on removing old bathroom vanities, installing new bathroom vanities, and the reasons to do so informative. Thanks for reading!

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