Quck answer
To install a bathroom vessel sink, follow these steps:
1. Gather the necessary tools and materials: vessel sink, faucet, drain assembly, silicone adhesive, plumber’s tape, adjustable wrench, and a bucket.
2. Turn off the water supply to the sink.
3. Remove the existing sink and clean the countertop thoroughly.
4. Apply plumber’s tape to the threaded ends of the faucet and drain assembly.
5. Place the sink on the countertop and align it properly.
6. Insert the faucet through the mounting hole and tighten it from underneath using an adjustable wrench.
7. Attach the drain assembly to the sink’s drain hole and secure it tightly.
8. Apply silicone adhesive around the edge of the sink to create a watertight seal.
9. Connect the water supply lines to the faucet.
10. Turn on the water supply and check for any leaks.
Congratulations! Your bathroom vessel sink is now installed and ready to use.
Whether you opt for a vessel sink to add a touch of elegance to your bathroom or you have practical reasons, the good news for DIY enthusiasts is that installing a vessel sink is easier compared to other types of sinks. Unlike an undermount bathroom sink, which is installed from underneath the countertop, or a fully-recessed drop-in sink, a vessel sink sits on top of the countertop or is partially recessed inside it. You can use a vessel sink on any type of vanity, even an antique dressing table if desired.
Vessel sinks come in various shapes and materials. You can choose an oval or circular sink made of glass, copper, or ceramic; a rectangular one made of porcelain, cast iron, or stainless steel; or even one with a unique shape carved from wood burl. If the sink has an irregular shape, there is no need to worry about cutting a matching hole for it. Just secure it to the countertop with silicone adhesive, and the sink’s drain assembly will keep it in place.
Two Methods of Vessel Sink Installation
The classic vessel sink is placed on top of the vanity, giving the impression of a freestanding washbasin. The main drawback of this setup is that it raises the sink rim to a height that may not be comfortable for everyone. You can address this issue by lowering the countertop, although it may not always be feasible. A countertop much lower than the standard 32 inches specified by List Vanities can be challenging to use.
The alternative is to partially recess the sink to lower the rim. The difference between this method of vessel sink installation and the top-mount method is that instead of drilling a 1 1/2-inch hole for the drain, you need to make a cutout similar to any other type of sink installation.
Installing a recessed vessel sink only works with sinks that have a regular oval or round shape, are wider at the rim than at the base, and have a smooth outside surface. Textured surfaces on the outside can create gaps between the sink and the countertop, allowing water to seep through. Bathroom Vessel Sinks advises against using glass or similarly fragile materials for the sink because the weight of a glass vessel sink can stress the sides and cause it to crack.
A partially recessed vessel sink can fit on a smaller countertop area compared to a drop-in or undermount sink. It also takes up less space underneath the bathroom vanity countertop. However, recessing does not offer the same design advantages as mounting a vessel sink on top of the vanity top. A recessed vessel sink installation is more similar to that of a conventional drop-in sink than a top-mount vessel sink.
Choosing a Faucet for a Vessel Sink
Image Credit:
Brandon Stanley
Most vessel sinks do not have mounting holes for a faucet and have a rim that is too high for a standard counter-mount bathroom faucet. You can opt for a wall-mount faucet or a high-arc counter-mount faucet. Another option is to choose a vessel faucet, which is often the best choice.
A vessel sink faucet is different from a regular high-arc faucet. Instead of a high, curved spout, it has a long body that brings the spout just above the sink rim to reduce splashing. You can choose a brass or rubbed bronze faucet to match your glass or stone vessel sink, and for added elegance, you can also opt for a waterfall faucet with an open spout.
Things You’ll Need
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Faucet
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Faucet supply hoses
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Sink drain assembly
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Plumbers’ putty
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Silicone caulk
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Drain tailpiece
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Pop-up stopper assembly
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2 x 1 1/2-inch trap adapter
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Plastic pipe cement
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Locking joint pliers
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Caulking gun
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Hacksaw
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Wrench
Warning
Before starting the installation of your vessel sink, make sure to turn off the water supply to avoid leaks and flooding.
Top-Mount Vessel Sink Installation Procedure
Step 1: Install the Faucet
If you have chosen a wall-mount faucet, you will need to install it separately from the sink. If you have chosen a countertop faucet, it is easier to install it before installing the sink. Insert the faucet posts through the predrilled holes in the countertop and secure them with the provided mounting nuts, tightening them with locking joint pliers. Connect the flexible supply lines to the faucet ports and tighten them with pliers.
Step 2: Mount the Sink Drain Assembly
A vessel sink drain usually comes with the tailpiece already attached. However, in some cases, you may need to screw it on after installing the drain. Start the installation of the vessel sink by applying plumbers’ putty to the underside of the sink strainer and inserting the tailpiece or threaded end of the drain through the sink drain hole. Do not screw on the retaining nut yet.
Step 3: Place the Sink
Use a caulking gun to apply a bead of silicone caulk around the drain opening in the countertop and on all parts of the sink that will come into contact with the countertop. Space the beads several inches apart on a sink with a flat bottom. Insert the threaded end of the strainer through the hole in the countertop, adjust the position of the sink, slide the gasket onto the strainer, and tighten the mounting nut with locking joint pliers to secure the sink in place. Allow the caulk to set overnight.
Step 4: Screw On the Drain Tailpiece
Screw the tailpiece onto the strainer threads (if it is separate) and tighten it by hand. The tailpiece and drain assembly are often included with the faucet, and if the kit includes a pop-up drain stopper that connects to a lift rod on the faucet, the tailpiece will have a hole for the stopper lever. Make sure this hole is facing the back wall when the tailpiece is tight.
Image Credit:
Sanford Creative
Step 5: Connect the Stopper and Install the P-Trap Assembly
If the faucet is equipped with a pop-up assembly, attach the stopper lever to the tailpiece and connect it to the faucet lift rod using the provided perforated metal strip and screws.
Using a hacksaw, cut the tailpiece and trap arm to the appropriate lengths to ensure that the P-trap fits properly. The trap arm, which is the horizontal section of pipe connecting the trap to the drainpipe, should have a slight downward slope (at least 1/4 inch per foot) towards the drain. Use plastic pipe cement to attach a 2 x 1 1/2-inch trap adapter to the wall’s drainpipe. The trap adapter should have the same compression connections as the ones on the P-trap assembly.
Slide compression nuts and plastic flanges onto the tailpiece and trap arm, then insert the tailpiece into the trap’s mouth and the trap arm into the trap adapter. Hand-tighten the nuts to secure the connections.
Step 6: Connect the Water Supply
Attach the faucet supply hoses to the shutoff valves on the water supply lines and tighten them using a wrench. Turn on the valves and check for any leaks in the supply connections. Fill the sink, drain it, and inspect the drain assembly for any leaks. Tighten any connections that are leaking.
