How To Install A Pedestal Sink Without Calling A Plumber (And What To Know First)

If you want a bathroom sink that will amp up your home, look no further than a pedestal sink. These fixtures are sleek, space-saving, low-maintenance, and versatile. A pedestal sink can be a great way to give your bathroom a new look, and thanks to House Digest's expert carpenter and remodeler, Bob Beacham, you'll know how to install one yourself. In an exclusive interview, Beacham shared important safety precautions, step-by-step installation, and common mistakes DIYers should avoid when fitting a new bathroom sink.

For this project, it's all about properly securing the basin and connecting the water line. It's a straightforward DIY that can be done in a day, but you want to be sure you can pull it off. "If you're not confident, call in a pro from the start," Beacham advised. "Having someone come in and fix damage or errors after can be more expensive in the long run." Hopefully, this expert guidance will give you the certainty you need to take on this project, and love your new pedestal sink.

So you've decided a pedestal sink is right for your bathroom, and you're mounting it DIY-style — great! Before installing the sink, the area needs to be prepped and ready to go. In an exclusive House Digest interview, Bob Beacham said, "You need to know if there are any electrical cables in the wall behind where the pedestal sink is going." This wiring needs to be avoided as you cut and drill into the wall, so you don't have any electrical issue on your hands. "If you're not sure, a stud/cable finder is about $30 and is a sensible investment," Beacham shared. "If there are cables in the wall, turn off the power when working." If the walls are cable-free, then there's nothing to worry about.

"Frustratingly, the necessary lag screws or other hardware may not be included, so check before you start," Beacham advised. The sink should come with complete instructions for mounting, so check the guide to ensure you have all the proper hardware and tools to install them. Further, while this is a DIY project, it can end up being a two-person job. "Depending on the size and material, the basin in particular can be surprisingly heavy," Beacham said. "It's a good idea to have a helping hand when mounting the basin on the pedestal." With the wires avoided, all the hardware included, and enough muscle to lift the basin, you're ready to install your new bathroom sink.

First up is installing the basin over the water and waste lines. "Fitting the basin will often involve removing tiles, cutting through drywall, and mounting a horizontal beam between studs," Bob Beacham exclusively told House Digest. "It's particularly important to pay attention to mounting height, or the whole thing won't come together properly."

Next, install the faucet and drain into the basin, being careful not to overtighten any metal bolts as it can crack the sink. With everything set in the basin, place it on top of the pedestal. "Move the basin and pedestal back against the wall slowly so that the basin is ready to be screwed or bolted to the wall and the pedestal is vertical," Beacham said. Once everything is leveled, secure the basin to the wall and the pedestal to the floor with the proper hardware.

Afterward, "Connect up the water supply and drain," Beacham instructed. "Working under the basin and inside the pedestal is fiddly, so be patient." You want to double-check every step to ensure the plumbing is properly secured. Finally, make sure everything works. "Slowly turn on the supply to check for leaks," he advised. If there are any leaks, turning the water on fully immediately can cause flooding, so steadily open the faucet until it's at full force. "Fill the basin and pull the plug to make sure it drains properly," Beacham said. He recommends DIYers recheck their work after 30 minutes. If there are no leaks and the water drains smoothly, then the project was a success.

Bob Beacham shared in a House Digest exclusive that you should pay attention to the support structure and plumbing lines — two things people routinely mess up — to ensure your installation goes without a hitch. "Don't skip the mounting brace or brackets," he said. "They are vital to support the weight of the basin properly." Some people cut corners by caulking the basin to the wall, but Beacham said, "This does not provide proper support, so [it] is strongly discouraged." If your bathroom wall is made out of plaster and isn't strong enough to support the brackets or brace needed for the basin, then a pedestal sink can be more complicated to install. It'd be better left to the professionals or "a floor-mounted vanity unit might be a safer option," according Beacham.

The plumbing on this installation also trips people up since replacing a bathroom sink drain isn't exactly a beginner-friendly DIY. "Take great care with water connections," Beacham advised. "Traditional soldering of copper pipe needs to be done with care, or it will leak. Newbies should practice with scraps before attempting 'live' plumbing." Practice does make perfect, but an alternative is push-fit connections, which don't require any soldering. "Push-fit is an increasingly popular choice with DIYers," Beacham said. "It's more expensive but much easier to install." With a secured base and pipes, you can enjoy your sleek pedestal sink without it falling over or leaking.