In this blog, I'm sharing my experiences on how to re-install (or install) a bathroom sink in your home. (Note, any other configuration can exist but the steps are similar and the advises might be useful.) My sink happen to broke after it has been there for about 15 years. This is a normal age for any sanitary to break down. No wonder why the guaranty for such products are usually 10 years. 
At the very beginning, close the incoming water, preferably with the valve under the sink and unscrew the pipes at their base. When you are done with it you can start to remove the drain pipes. The trap will contain a bit of water because of its curved shape, since it is designed to close totally the duct in order not to stink. After you've removed it will stink of course. Now it's time to loosen the two nuts which are fixing the sink to the wall.
When you've removed the sink, place it on a table-kind-of-think, so that the tap is hanging down and the sink is lying on it's top surface. This is the simplest way to unscrew the corroded fasteners of the tap. You remove the pipes and the pop-up lever, and the tap is off. This is time for observation and deciding whether the tap needs to be replaced or not. Even if it's working fine, think also about the next 2-5 years, because the last think you want to do is to replace the tap in the next years but this time the sink is on, and it's harder to replace from under. It's also the question of budget, so think twice.
In my case, I had to replace because the rust find its place on the screws and it was impossible to take it out. It broke off as you see on the picture. Also it was risky to use it later because I already replaced the filter in it twice and the lever was also malfunctioning sometimes. Back to the store, and let's buy the tap. WARNING! (You need to be careful what you chose from the shelf.) There is a difference between taps; there are ones designed for low and high pressures but they all look the same. What it means (you probably know if you're on my website) is the low-pressure one is used as a direct connection to a boiler. When you have a small house and you only have a boiler above the sink (~10 liter size) then you need this type. I need definitely the high-pressure one because the water is going to the 1st floor...So be careful and check the little flash-light icon on the box (that indicates low-pressure).
I bought this new masterpiece for 11000HUF which is about 55$. Yes, don't be surprised if you find such a precise manufacturing in the box. (By the way, check the sink before buying it for all cracks in and outside if you want to prevent changing it again in a few years.) The tap comes with pop-up, flange, gasket and a jamb nut. (make sure that it really includes these) Why they include them? Because once you have a new tap, you have a different mechanism for the pop-up lock and it's lever and the pivot rod will be designed to fit in the gasket. It's usually standard size so you can keep the original and only replace the new lever to look brand new. I had the same intentions, but I had to change the pop-up so I decided to use the new - PLASTIC one.? Why plastic? Probably because of the cheap price, but I realized that they save everything these days. What was copper 20 years ago is now a cheap plastic. And if I have plastic gasket-nut, I need to have the drain parts to be made of plastic as well because you shouldn't connect plastic with metal. So back to the store, and let's replace the copper drain for a new plastic one. (I could find copper also, but then it would be 3x the price of a plastic and I had money only for the sink, not to mention the tap...) Luckily they sell it in a set, so the tailpiece, coupling nut, trap and a pipe is at hand.
When you have everything bought, time for the installation.
The steps are a bit different. First and most important thing is to cut out the place of the tap on the sink. They sell it uncut because they want to see your ability...haha no, 'cos you might have the tap coming from the wall and not through the sink. Also, it's giving you options where to place the tap (middle, left or right side). How to cut? Don't even start hitting it from the back/lower side because it'll make noticeable damage on the top surface that you can't hide. Decide where the tap is going to be - middle probably. Measure the position of the center of the pre-made circle. Measure if twice, and mark it. Draw also a smaller circle. Use a hammer and a small, flat screwdriver to cut it out. I recommend it because it'll not bend like a nail. Even if the nail is strong enough it'll become obtuse, so use a FLAT screwdriver's edge - a high-steel for this reason. Start to hit slowly with medium strength. Still on the TOP surface! It'll take time but once it'll brake in, your blood pressure will drop. Now with the same tools, start making the circle bigger and bigger like a sculptor. It'll be fun to see how it's actually getting nicer and circle-like. Don't cut too much, only the size of the pre-made circle (the tap has to cover the hole totally).
Done, put the sink on the table with face down, screw in the pipes to the tap, the screws and the lever for the pop-up, and see if it fits. Check if the pipes are not pushed to the china's surface because it might make damage to it (they are very sensible of twisting so be careful). If it does, cut a bit more. (for a future guarantee, buy high quality pipes for the tap, don't use the ones they include)
Finally make several tests. Check the pop-up functioning, you can still adjust it from under. Search for leakage through the drain parts.
Most important place to look for is the connection of the stub with the wall. There is a rubber seal inside the wall and in my case it didn't close well with the new plastic tube.
I hope I could help, have a nice installation.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this nice post, Further if are looking for the best quality of a bathroom sink is crucial for the longevity and health of your bathroom.
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