Pedestal sinks are desirable for how they make residential spaces look more refined and classy. Here’s our pedestal sink with floor plumbing.
Unlike the regular box cabinets, a pedestal sink can be installed in any location. Their slim, sleek profile helps to give them a top-notch look that you cannot get from other types of sinks.
If you can get past the lack of storage space that accompanies a pedestal sink, then you will find it an interesting choice for any of your residential locations. A bonus advantage is that they are easy to maintain and clean.
However, this does not imply that you cannot make out storage spaces from them. This is part of the reason learning about pedestal sinks is fun.
Are you confused about pedestal sinks and their installation process? Do you want to learn about how to make more space with pedestal sinks and not have issues while installing them? Do you want to learn about installing a pedestal sink with a floor drain? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.
Can you use a pedestal sink with floor plumbing?
The straightforward answer is YES. You can use a pedestrian sink with floor plumbing, only that some minor issue might pop along the line if it isn’t done in the right way. This is not only common with floor plumbing but with all plumbing work.
Most plumbing work usually takes a long process, especially when this task is being handled by a nonprofessional.
Installing a pedestrian sink with floor plumbing might be a long process, but if materials have been properly catered for and other things get sorted out, the process would be an easy one.
Materials needed to install a pedestrian sink with floor plumbing include measuring tapes, drywall supplies, drills, circular saw, safety glass, wall paint, hands saw, silicon glue, wrenches, hanger bolts, wall paint, and saw, washers, buckets, slip bolt, and knife.
How to Install a Pedestal Sink with Floor Plumbing
Here are the steps involved in the “pedestal sink plumbing through the floor” method
Step 1: Disconnection of Drainage and Water Lines
Installing a pedestal sink with floor plumbing requires that you block all water entry. The first thing you have to do while installing a pedestal sink with floor plumbing is to disconnect all water supply lines.
You can put a bucket under the drain line to collect any water coming out for that time. Ensure that you loosen up all p-trap drain pipes after disconnecting them from the sink.
If any of these fixtures aren’t in a good position, you can buy a new P-trap. One reason you need to disconnect these water lines and drainages is that you will have to remove your sink completely.
If your bathroom has both hot and cold water connections, you need to put the taps off to avoid water splashing when the sink is removed.
Step 2: Removing the Sink and Vanity
Use a utility knife to remove the caulk from the counter. Ensure you target where the caulk connects to the wall or backlash.
At the lower side of the sink, unscrew all screws that fasten the vanity to the bathroom wall.
After doing this, it will be easy to disconnect all plumbing lines and move the vanity out of the bathroom.
Note that if you have your walk attached directly to your sink, it will be much easier to remove.
If compared to when you have a vanity underneath, removing the sink would not be an easy feat as compared when there is no vanity.
Step 3: Installation of Extra Wall Support
The wall needs more support to properly hold the basin in place, but this depends on the pedestal sink type.
Mark the basin height on the wall depending on how you want it, but ensure to follow all the recommended instructions by the manufacturer.
Reveal the wall studs by cutting out the drywall around the marked area. Cut out a 2*4 piece to balance perfectly in between the two studs revealed after cutting out the drywall in the makes area.
The measured-out piece should be right but not too tight. With the use of two nails per side, nail the measured-out piece into the studs from the sides.
Adding extra support to your pedestal sink isn’t a compulsory step. It fully depends on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some manufacturers show in their instructions that the mounting of an extra support system is compulsory, while others would show that it is unnecessary.
Step 4: Locating and Marking the Pedestal Sink
After deciding whether to add a board, Right now, it’s about time to fully start preparing the surface for installation. Mark the center of the sink on the floor and dry-fit the basin on the pedestal.
After sliding the two against the wall, put the anchor under the back of the basin and mark the drill point on the wall.
After deciding where you will join the sink board, you need to mark the center point of the pedestal sink. This step is compulsory because this step ensures the pedestal sink flushes against the board.
Some extra precautions to take to avoid trouble while installing the sink is to make sure you have extra support in case the sink is too heavy to carry.
Be sure about the levels you are working on as well.
Step 5: Keeping the Basin Anchor in Place
Remove the basin from the pedestal so that it won’t fall. Ensure that you pre-drill holes on the wall for the anchor but ensure that the holes are smaller compared to the bolts.
Tight the anchor onto the wall after placing the anchor over the holes.
The tightening of the anchor to the wall is done through the use of lag bolts, usually in the kit of the manufacturers.
Step 6: Assembling the Sink
Hang the basin over the anchor after you must have slid the basin and the pedestal against the wall. After this step, slide the pedestal under the basin and attach it according to the pedestal sink installation instructions.
Attach the faucet, drain, water supply lines, and portal to the sink and turn on the water supply.
How to Install a Pedestal Sink Without Opening Wall
While fixing your sink into the wall requires the use of lumber. It is advised that while giving your sink, open the wall and insert the piece of lumber inside the wall. This installation is to serve as backing.
The lumber is fastened to the wall and stored with the drywall latch covering it up. This requires that you open the wall.
If you would love to do the installation without opening the wall, then you have to make use of adhesive caulking.
This is not the most effective way of fastening the sink into the wall, add but it still gives you a solid outcome if done in the right way.
This method of installing your sink without opening the wall has to do with getting the sink balanced against the wall and on the base.
This can be achieved by applying an adhesive caulk to the back area of the sink and pushing it to stand against the wall. If you wouldn’t be using an adhesive caulk, you can also make use of a wall anchor.
The wall anchor is placed underneath the sink to serve as extra support. Ensure you added adhesives and go to the spot where the sink is connected to the base as well.
Nonetheless, as emphasized earlier, there is every possibility gave the sink can fall out from the adhesive caulk used or might remove if pull-ups are done on it, or it is forcefully pulled down.
Therefore fastening the sink into lumber by opening the wall is much more advisable.
How to Install a Pedestal Sink With Wall Plumbing
Step 1: Use of Wood Blocking
This is an essential material that must be used during wood blocking. An example of a wood that can be used as wood blocking is plywood. A drywall is then added to the studs and also tied over it.
The plywood wouldn’t stay well until screws are anchored into it to his it securely well against the wall. Instead of plywood, you can also use 2*10 wood.
Step 2: Establish and Mark the Sink Height
Choose a selected height for your installation and mark with a pencil if possible. Any height can be used, but 34 to 36 inches is an ideal height (Know the rough-in height for bathroom sink plumbing).
Step 3: Installation Prep
Tue off any source of water and mark out a correct valve stem spacing
Step 4: Do an Installation of the Floating Pedestal
To ensure that the installation of your floating pedestal doesn’t give you so much headache, ensure that you mark the locations of pipes in the wall before hole drilling.
The presence of holes in drains and the water supply isn’t good.
You can temporarily fix the pedestal at this point but do not make it super tight.
How Do You Hide Plumbing Behind a Pedestal Sink?
Exposed plumbing can be an eyesore no matter how cute the installation of a pedestal sink looks. However, hiding these plumbing fixtures is a way not only to hide the plumbing but it is also a good way to add beauty to your location.
Some ways to add this plumbing include the use of flowers, plants, decorations, and curtains. These hideouts also offer you extra space to put other insightful items like a toilet brush, bathroom containers, etc.
1. Curtains
This requires the use of string fabric materials and an industrially built velcro. Normal velcro might be too weak to handle this fabric, but an industrial Velcro has a strength able to withstand a large force.
2. Decorations
This is a clear way if showcase your creativity in your bathroom or any other location where you have your pedestal sink. You can decide to go with a theme and achieve the theme with your decorations.
3. Plants/flower
Plants help to add freshness to your space. Here, short plants wouldn’t be useful because they do not possess the necessary height to hide the plumbing you wish to hide. Therefore, going for taller plays will be the best option for you.
Pedestal Sink Installation Problems
Despite that pedestal sink is loved by some set of people. Nonetheless, it has some setbacks of its own. They include the following
1. Cost
Pedestal sinks are more expensive than a small vanity or other various options that could have been used in place of a pedestal sink.
The material used in making a pedestal sink plus some other production factors determine the cost of the sink.
Another important factor responsible for the cost of pedestal sinks is the in-depth installation process required to put this pedestal sink in place for use. Most times, it requires the help of a plumbing professional.
2. Storage
A pedestal sink appeals to some people because of its design, which is on the low side. Pedestal sinks have a simple overall design and storage space.
This simple overall design is loved by some, but for some, they are like drawbacks for them in some particular situations.
The simplicity of the designs of the pedestal sink is the reason there is a lack of space when compared with larger vanities like cabinets, etc.
This lack of space is a potential cause of distractions during your morning routine. Hence, it is advisable to use pedestal sinks for powder rooms and small bathrooms in your residential location.
How Can I Make a Pedestal Sink Look Better?
The various ways by which you can make your pedestal sink look better to depend on your creativity and what you hope to achieve.
However, one way to help you make your sink look better includes matching the color of the storage tool around your pedestal.
Installing a pedestal bathroom sink in your storage might comprise a cabinet, a trolley, a curtain, or any other creative design.
However, making the designs match one another would make the pedestal sink look better. As a bonus tip, the looks of your pedestal sink only aren’t improved.
The entire look of your pedestal sink is also worked on. You can also add beautiful accessories, use a stylish faucet, add walk sconces, or beautify with fabrics.
Can You Caulk a Pedestal Sink?
You can caulk a pedestal sink infect. It is highly recommended. There are different adhesives used for caulking, and a common try is silicone.
Silicon caulking helps in sealing the sink to the drain.
To experience a better effect, it is advisable to use adhesive caulking and metal brackets which invokes the usage of another adhesive caulking.
Note that it is highly advisable to caulk the rear area of your sink that touches the wall and the base of the pedestal as well.
This is to avoid moisture from being trapped behind your skin. Hence, avoiding the growth of mold and mildew.
What is the Pipe Under Your Sink Called?
The pipe located under the sink is referred to as the P trap. The reason for this name is that they have a curved shape and also trap all the dirt coming from the sink.
The curves pipe are usually installed together with other kitchen sink fixtures to achieve a complete and balanced drainage system for your kitchen sink.
This P trap is a plumbing fixture that helps to trap dirties and debris and stops it from building a clog deep.
This helps to stop toxic sewer gas from being passed into the home. P traps are usually made from PVC steel or pipe, and the latter is mostly used for exposed plumbing because it has a more pleasing visual aesthetics.
Can You Use PVC for the Sink Drain?
Yes, PVC is suitable to be used as sink drains. PVC is a versatile and lightweight plumbing pipe that is especially known for its blockage resistance capacity.
PVC plumbing pipes are not only used for sink drains. They are also suitable for other parts of the house. Some other areas of the house where they can be used include a toilet or a shower drain line.
They can also be used as the main water supply pipe of a home. PVCs don’t bend easily despite the fact that the pipes have flexible properties that enable them to stand the inflow of high water pressure.
They also have a smooth inner inning that helps speed up the draining process, which helps to protect it against sediment blockages and buildup.
Does a Floor Drain Need a P-trap?
Yes, a floor drain needs a P trap. Drain openings that are directly connected to the sanitary sewer must possess a trap. This trap helps to seal the sewer system from the building.
The lack of a P trap causes odor because gases from the sewer system enter the home with nothing to trap it.
The main use of the trap is to trap the gas from the sewer system so that it won’t enter the home. It is important to more that these sewer gases are very toxic.
Hence, exposure to them is not advised. Exposure to these gases, especially in a poorly ventilated area, can lead to general malaise and headache. Prolonged exposure to these gases can cause serious illness and death if it continually happens for a long time.
How Do You Secure a Pedestal Sink to the Floor?
Securing a pedestal sink to the floor requires the mounting of the pedestal sink accurately. To properly secure a pedestal sink to the floor, it is important to use the right wood screws or bolts.
These two materials are most times provided by the sink manufacturer you are buying from. They are usually contained in the sink’s installation kit.
The structure of the floor determines whether special wood screws or bolts should be used. Following the rule of thumb, wood screws would be your best bet if the wood subfloor underneath the finished flooring is in solid condition and is 3/4 inches thick.
There are various types of pedestrian sinks, and they all come with some slightly different mounting guidelines. Do well to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to achieve a proper and solid mounting
How Do You Make Storage Under a Pedestal Sink?
Installing a storage space under a pedestal sink can be very tricky because of the sink pipes that can serve as distractions.
However, there are many creative ways to achieve this feat. One fashionable yet functional way requires the use of curtains.
With the use of velcro in the right places, hanging on the sink wouldn’t be much of an issue. Other ways to make storage under pedestrian sinks include the following
- Use a pedestal sink cabinet if you don’t love the idea of under-sink shelving
- The addition of fancy baskets gives it a top-notch visual.
- Using a narrow cabinet which can come in different space shapes and sizes
- Using customized under-sink shelving that has been designed in a way to accommodate all distractions from underneath the sink
- Using sink rack and trolleys
- Using of shelves
Wrap-Up
A pedestal sink has two main parts, which include the pedestal and the sink. They are used to create more space in a tight bathroom or any other location instead of the use of vanity cabinets. This is because vanity cabinets are bulky and large.
Just like I have discussed above, pedestal sinks do not have any storage space, and this puts restrictions on their looks and uses.
However, you can create storage space for them below the sinks. Before coming to the end of this nice read about pedestal sinks, it is important to note some safety precautions for your bathroom sink plumbing through the floor.
If you do not install your pedestal sink correctly, they can injure you when they fall. Pedestal sinks comprise porcelain basins, which makes them very heavy. Also, ensure that you secure the basin with the back wall and do not over-tighten the bolts.
Following these precautions and all the installation steps I have explained to you above, the installation of your pedestal sink will be a done deal for you in no time.
