DIY – How to Install a Vessel Sink in Your Bathroom

One of the hottest new trends in bathroom fixtures is the vessel sink. They are becoming more popular as a DIY sink installation project. They are both traditional and cutting-edge. They are contemporary fixtures that bring elegance to your bathroom. Vessel sinks are designed in the fashion of the Chinese washbasins of hundreds of years ago, from the days before indoor plumbing.

What is a Vessel Sink?

DIY – To put it as simply as possible, vessel sinks are free-standing sends that are mounted directly onto the countertop. It’s also popular to mount them on other furniture or bathroom fixtures. They come in many different shapes and sizes. The depth of the sink can be chosen as well. Nowadays, they can be made with glass, vitreous china, stainless steel, cast iron, marble, even bronze.

DIY Sink Installation (Vessel Sinks)

DIY – Vessel sinks are fairly easy as a do-it-yourself sink project. Follow the steps below for your DIY sink installation project:

Step 1: Line up the Vessel Sink Drain Hole with the Cutout

Make sure the drain hole is aligned with its offset surface, using the cutout hole of the vessel sink as a guide.

Step 2: Apply Putty to Drain Hole

Apply and compress a drop of plumber’s putty about 1/4″ thick around the bottom of the drain hole.

Step 3: Attach a Rubber Gasket

Fasten the rubber gasket, plastic washer and lock nut to the drain. Afterward, fasten the drain stem.

Step 4: Dry-Fit the Pipes and Fittings of the Vessel Sink

Dry-fit the PVC pipes and fittings,as well as the P-trap, making cuts when needed.

Step 5: Apply Primer and Cement

Apply PVC primer and cement on the proper surface areas. Put the drain together, tying it to the vessel sink waste pipe. Hold each connection together for a few minutes so that the chemical result of the primer and cement doesn’t put pressure on the pieces and make them come apart.

Step 6: Drain the Water Lines

Turn off the water supply to the house. Turn on the faucets and let them run until no more water comes out. Putting a couple of towels down to soak up any excess water within the pipes would be a wise.

Step 8: Cut Capped Ends of Pipe

Use a close-quarters pipe cutter to chop the end marks from the water supply pipes. Clutch cutter tight around the pipe then keep rotating it clockwise, around the pipe until the pipe is cut.

Step 9: Install the Shut-Offs

Install the compression shut-off valve, per the manufacturer directions. These fittings have to be very tight. You may use two adjustable wrenches to make sure it’s really secure.