How to Install a Vessel Sink

Most bathrooms are simply an afterthought. After all, there's usually not much more than a sink, a toilet and a towel rack. The cabinets are often blah, the walls boring, and the mirror more than likely is hardly a reflection of your tastes. The good news is that there are a number of easy projects you can do to instantly spruce up your bathroom that will wow your guests and that you'll enjoy for years to come. Here are just a few ideas for your bathroom re-do!

As the popularity of vessel sinks has grown, so has the number of beautifully hand-crafted products that practically demand exhibition. By sitting entirely above-counter, vessel sinks can be displayed for their beauty as well as their functionality. The great thing about vessel sinks is they are not reserved for use in any one type of bathroom. Modern designs, conservative spaces, rustic décor and everything in between can all be enhanced by a vessel sink. Thus, the aesthetic this type of sink accommodates is rather extensive.

Installing a vessel sink: Vessel Sinks have become increasingly popular over the past few years. They are wonderfully functional while at the same time, exceptionally dramatic! If you're looking for something to make your bathroom stand out, then a vessel sink coupled with a waterfall faucet might be exactly what you're looking for

We also HAVE to mention that this is merely a how-to guide and should not be taken as "the lords word". We are not responsible for any mis-installation, misuse, errors or damaged caused by the direct or indirect use of the content in this article. Now that the legal jargon is out of the way, lets begin.

PICTURE OF THE PROCESS AND OVER VIEW:

1) Mark the location of the faucet and the sink. Use a pencil or light marker and mark around the bottom ring of the faucet and contact patch of the vessel sink. Allow enough clearance between the faucet and sink to prevent water from splashing to the counter. Install the faucet using specifications from manufacturer. Ensure that the cold and hot tubes are connected correctly and not interchanged to avoid scalding or burns. Drill 1-3/4" hole on your countertop. This will give enough room for the fixtures to sit and for the glue to adhere to. Ensure that there is proper clearance for faucet supply lines, drain assembly and structural parts of the cabinet. There should be a minimum of 2" between the sink's top edge and the fitting centerline.

2) Place mounting ring, black washer and then put the glass bowl on top. (see figure shown). Place a bead of silicone caulk at the base of the sink. Insert the drain through the drain opening and then through the countertop to ensure a proper fit. Attach the drain assembly following the manufacturer's instructions for your specific sink. Tighten the nut firmly to hold the sink in place to the counter.

3) Connect the drain to the P-trap or S-trap underneath, then connect to the drain pipe on the wall. Check for leaks around the drain and underneath the sink. Apply more caulking and plumber's tape to address any leaks.

A vessel can be installed sitting on the countertop (“above counter mounting) or it can be sunk down up to a third or even half of its height. Some vessels are actually a hybrid of a drop-in style sink and a vessel – i.e. they are designed to partially sit above the countertop. Vessel sinks with special hardware can also be mounted underneath the counter. This gives vessel sinks incredible flixibility in use that goes far beyond the capability of an ordinary sink.

Installation tips before you begin:

Tip1: For an above counter installation, you will need a hole that is large enough to accommodate the drain assembly. This is the plumbing hardware that allows the sink to drain the water. If the bottom of your vessel is flat, then the installation is straightforward. The only thing we would recommend is a bead of silicone under the sink and around the edge to prevent water on the countertop from working its way underneath the vessel. If the vessel has a rounded shape – as with most glass vessel sinks – you have two options. You can either use a vessel mounting ring (sometimes these are provided with the sink) or you will need to provide a mounting hole directly in the countertop.

Tip2: Mounting rings for vessel sinks can be easily found at most home centers or online. They usually come in several finishes that you can match to your faucet and drain. A vessel mounting ring elevates the sink from the countertop and helps with the stability and seal of the sink.

Tip3: Due to design considerations, a mounting ring is not always desirable. If you want to mount the vessel directly into the countertop, you will need a hole that is at least 3” in diameter with a beveled edge in the countertop material to accommodate the shape of the bowl. You may want the hole to be more in the range of 5” – 6” if the vessel is larger for stability. Use clear silicone to provide cushion and stability when mounting the sink. If you want to lower the level of the sink you can simply enlarge the hole. The larger the hole, the more stability you will achieve in the installation. To experiment with the size of the hole, use a piece of cardboard. Start with a smaller size – say 3” – and work your way up. This will give you a visual as to how far down the vessel will be relative to the counter throughout the size range that you choose. Be sure to keep the height of the faucet you have chosen in mind when making these decisions.

Tip4: Whichever mounting method you use, you will want to install the drain in the vessel before installing the sink to the counter surface. Drains for vessel sinks come in two basic configurations. Does your vessel have an overflow? If so, you will need a standard drain. However, most vessel sinks do not have an overflow and will need a “vessel style drain”. Vessel drains come in many different styles and finishes. These drains do not have a “pop up” assembly. Some are referred to as “grid drains” (referring to the “grid configuration” on the top of the drain). Grid drains were designed to let the water flow out of the basin but catch larger objects from heading down the drain.

Tip5: A special caution for glass vessel sinks. If you are installing a glass vessel, be sure to provide a cushion between the glass and the counter. This can simply be a bead of silicone or you may want to line the hole in your counter with a small piece of rubber material. In addition, be sure that you don’t over tighten the drain assembly. Hand tighten only and follow the manufacturer's instructions. The breakage we see with glass vessels is usually associated with an improper installation of the drain.

HOW TO INSTALL A VESSEL SINK

STEP 1:

Remove the old sink Shut off the water supply by turning off the valves at the base of the sink. Disconnect the old sink's plumbing using a plumber's wrench, making sure to keep plenty of rags and a bucket handy to catch any excess water that drips out of the pipes. You'll now want to check underneath the old sink to see if there are any attachment hooks holding it to the countertop. If so, remove them using either a power screwdriver, if they're screws or the claw of a hammer if they're nails. Now that you've removed any clips holding the old unit in place, simply pull the old sink up and out. If it doesn't come free, it may have caulk holding it to the old tiles so you might need to wedge underneath with a pry bar or cut away at the old caulk with a utility knife to get it up and out.

STEP 2:

Remove the old tile / Countertop Using a prybar, you'll want to remove your old countertop from the cabinet base. You'll want to put this aside to use later for measurement reference. Keep in mind, there might have been a line of caulk placed on top of the cabinet base prior to installing the original countertop, so you may need to use a utility knife to cut it away. If you have tiles leading from your counter top to a back splash, you may want to use this opportunity to update them. If this is the case, remove the old tile by using a pry bar (if large tiles) or with a hammer to chip it away.

SAFETY TIP!: If you use a hammer, be certain to wear proper eye protection as there are often small pieces that could fly up at you. Also, place a cloth between the hammer and the tile. This way, you can usually avoid having debris fly up at you.

Once the tile is gone, remove the old backer board (cement board that the tile is adhered to) using a pry bar.

STEP 3

Prepping the new counter for your vessel sink Measure the counter area above the cabinets for your new sub-base/plywood. You can use the old countertop as a guide. Take a piece of ¾;" plywood, mark your measurements and then cut to size using a circular saw. JANE TOOL TIP: You're going to need a few power tools to complete this task. If you don't have any power tools yet, one great way to launch your collection is to pick up a Ryobi Combo Kit. For under $200 the Ryobi Combo Kit comes with an 18volt (which means a LOT of power) circular saw, power drill, stand-up flashlight and hand-vac for easy cleanup. This is one of our favorite options because the Ryobi One Plus System has batteries that are interchangeable with an entire line of tools. Trust us, this comes in quite handy when you're in mid project and you want to go from your drill to your circular saw without having to worry about charging two different batteries! Screw the new sub-base down to the cabinet tops with a power screwdriver. Set your new sink on top of the sub base and mark the location by outlining the drain hole (this is the only hole you'll need to drill through the plywood for the sink. Most drain holes are approximately 1 ¼" diameter but yours might vary slightly). Using a cordless drill with a 1 ¼" (or whatever the measurement of your drain hole is) spade bit, drill a hole for your drain in the sub-base. You'll now want to mark the location of the faucet and then drill holes for the water feed tubes that will come down from the faucet to connect underneath the sink to the water lines. Use your cordless drill with appropriate size bit.

STEP 4

Installing your faucet We find it's actually easier to install the faucet prior to putting the vessel sink into final position. Such is not the case with most standard sinks. Follow the manufacturer's instructions but basically, you'll want to use a ring of plumber's putty around any hoses you screw together. Turn the water input valves on and check for leaks. Before you install your sink, you will first want to re-tile the countertop being sure to leave the hole for the sink drain assembly.

STEP 5

Under the counter assembly Most vessel sinks are attached to the counter sub-base only via the drain assembly, but yours might vary slightly so be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific sink. Begin by placing a bead of silicone caulk at the base of the sink where it will touch the countertop. Set the sink in place and wipe away any excess caulk. Next, attach the drain assembly, again, following the manufacturer's instructions for your specific sink. More than likely, you will have the drain assembly set from the top into the sink's drain hole. You'll then screw on the tightening nut firmly to hold the sink in place to the counter. Be sure that if you have a sink without an overflow that your drain assembly doesn't have an overflow valve and likewise - if you have an overflow in your sink, be sure your drain assembly does as well. Hook the drain up to the P-trap underneath using the same type of plumbing that was installed previously (i.e. if you have PVC pipe, be sure to use the same for your pipe assembly with the appropriate adhesive. Don't mix steel and PVC.) Once all items are in place, turn on your faucet and check the faucet and sink drain for leaks. If you find you have a leak, try adding a strip of plumber's tape to the threads and then reconnect the lines.