Michael Straessle has written professionally about the construction industry since 1988. He authored “What a Strange Little Man,” among other books, and his work has appeared in various online publications. Straessle earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in professional/technical writing.
SUPPLIES
- New cabinet
- Pliers
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Pry bar
- Variable speed drill
- 2½-inch drywall screws
- Carpenter's level
Overview
Replacing a bathroom vanity can be quite a chore, so gather all the information you can concerning the removal and the replacing of a bathroom vanity. Pay special attention to how the current cabinet is attached to the wall and where the plumbing is inside the wall.
Step 1
Turn off the water from underneath the bathroom sink. If there are no valves there, shut off the water off at the meter.
Step 2
With the pliers, carefully remove the nuts that are holding the waterline to the supply lines coming out of the wall. Next, take out the plastic nut above the "P" trap of the drainpipe.
Step 3
Inspect the bottom side of the countertop to determine how it was installed on the cabinet. Remove the countertop accordingly. The sink should come out with the countertop.
Step 4
Inspect the back of the cabinet where it meets the wall to see how the cabinet was installed. Remove any nails or screws that are holding the cabinet in place and remove the cabinet from the bathroom.
Step 5
Clean the area thoroughly. Mark the studs in the wall so you'll know where to put in the drywall screws and install the new vanity.
Step 6
Place the new cabinet where the old one was and secure it to the wall with the drywall screws. Place the level on top of the cabinet to make sure that it is level and plumb.
Step 7
Install the new countertop in the reverse order that you removed the old one. Be sure all plumbing connections are tight and turn the water back on to check for leaks.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Always wear safety glasses.
Caulk along the top edges of the countertop where it meets the wall to create a good water-tight transition between the wall and the new vanity.
- WARNING : Do not overtighten water supply lines.
Do not overtighten the drainpipe nuts.
Do not paint or stain new cabinet without proper ventilation.
Resources
