HOW TO INSTALL A WALL-MOUNTED VANITY

STEP 1

Make sure the rough in plumbing protrudes from the wall at approximately 17-20" from the floor. This will allow the p-trap to have enough clearance to fit without too much fiddling around. Plumbing in at 17-20" from the floor will allow the vanity top to be mounted at 34" from the floor. As a point of reference, kitchen countertops are mounted at 36" from the floor. Vanities are often mounted a bit lower than kitchen countertops for ease of use for smaller children. If you choose to mount the vanity higher, adjust the rough-in plumbing accordingly. If you are worried about mounting the vanity too high for your children to use, a small step stool can easily slide under the wall mount vanity for use.

STEP 2

Measure 34" from the floor up the wall to make a reference point. The reference point will help position the vanity at the proper height when mounting the vanity to the wall with bolts. Once you make a mark on the wall, use a level to continue the line across the wall. Use a pencil to lightly make a line. Using a pencil will allow you to wipe away any marks after installation.

STEP 3

Use blocks of wood or anything stable that is approximately 13" in height. In the following example we used blocks of wood. The wood should elevate the vanity to the final mounting height. This will allow you to mark the proper mounting bolt location without struggling to hold the vanity up. This also helps for the final installation.

STEP 4

Use a pencil to mark the location of the mounting bolts.

STEP 5

The holes should line up with wall studs or a horizontal support stud built into the wall. Use a stud finder to locate the studs. If a wall mounted vanity is NOT secured to studs, there is a good chance it will fall off the wall. Wall anchors do help, but are by no means a good alternative to studs.

STEP 6

In the following example we installed wall anchors as added support. The anchors were dipped in epoxy glue for added strength.

STEP 7

Use an impact gun or cordless drill to drive the lag bolts into the wall/stud. Remember to use a washer with the lag bolt.

STEP 8

Some vanities have decorative caps to cover the lag bolt heads. It is purely decorative and is not necessary by any means.

STEP 9

Remove the installation blocks from under the vanity.

STEP 10

Before the vanity top is attached it is a good idea to install the drain and faucet. This will save you from having to crawl under the vanity once installed.

STEP 11

Use white Teflon tape around the threads of the drain. This is a very important step. If you fail to wrap the drain in Teflon tape the drain will leak. This is the most common place for leaks.

STEP 12

Apply a liberal bead of plumbers putty of silicone to the bottom lip of the drain before placing it into the bowl.

STEP 13

Place the drain into the sink.

STEP 14

Tighten the drain nut using a pair of channel lock pliers. Gently snug the nut up to the bottom of the bowl. Don't over tighten. You may have to snug up the nut after a short period of time once the rubber seats itself.

STEP 15

Remove excess plumbers putty from drain flange. If the putty or silicone does not squeeze out, then remove and apply more putty or silicone.

STEP 16

Install faucet while the vanity top is upside down. This makes things a lot easier.

STEP 17

Choose the shut-off valve right for you. Any valve below will work fine for a vanity. The 'push-in' and 'compression' valves are the easiest to install and are great for beginners. Both valves will work fine on plastic piping and copper. The 'solder ball valve' is the best, most secure valve, but the hardest to install. Leave the soldering to a plumber or experience do-it-yourselfer. The 'solder ball valve' only wokrs on copper piping.

STEP 18

Install valves to copper or plasic (pex) piping.