How to Install a Wall Hung Vanity

Before you begin

On a job like this you will need to use a plumber if any pipes are needing to be re-routed, and fi nally to attach your waste pipe and reattach your water pipes.

If you’re simply replacing like for like, in the same location, and are using a registered plumber, then you won’t need any council permits or consent. But if you’re thinking of changing the location of your vanity considerably, then you’d better check with your local council.

Turn off all water

Turn off the water at the mains.
Turn on a tap to relieve the water pressure in the plumbing system.

Remove old vanity

Remove tapware, cut off the waste pipe, unscrew the trap, and remove hot and cold pipes.
It’s important to cap the end of your hot and cold pipes – that way you can turn the water mains back on while you work. Check the size of your pipes, and have these end caps ready before you begin.
It's a good idea to label your hot and cold pipes coming out of the wall. That'll help you reconnect them the right way.
Have a bucket ready as there may still be water in the pipes.
Remove any silicone around the base, or top of the vanity.
Remove any screws or bolts that are holding the vanity to the wall.

Measure up

The standard height for a vanity is between 850 – 900mm.
If your new vanity has a vessel bowl sitting on top of it, then your height should be 950mm to the top of the bowl.
Decide exactly where you want your vanity to sit on the wall.
Mark the height of your new vanity onto the wall it’s being installed on. Make sure this line is level.
Mark the centre of your vanity, and transfer this onto the wall.
Locate the fixing points of the new vanity and transfer them onto the wall. Measure the distance from the holes to the centre of your vanity, and transfer these measurements onto the wall, using the centre line you’ve drawn there as a reference point.
Now you know exactly where your vanity is going to be placed onto the wall.

Install solid fixings

Wall hung vanities need to be attached to solid fixings in the wall.
Use a stud detector to see if you have any already there.
If you’re renovating, now’s the perfect time to install some solid fixings to hold your vanity.
If there are no solid fixings in your wall, then you’ll need to remove the plasterboard and install some. This will also be helpful if a plumber needs to reposition any pipes.
Mark out the section of plasterboard you need to remove. It should be 50mm smaller than your vanity dimensions.
It’s a good idea to use the stud-finder to check you won’t be cutting through any wires or pipes.
Remove the section of plasterboard using a multi-tool, or a utility knife.
Now’s the time to get your plumber in. If you need to move pipes the wall is exposed, and there’s plenty of room for him to work.
Install solid fixings / nogs where required in the correct position.
Take a photo when done for future reference.
Now’s also a good time to install insulation and building paper if you are on an external wall.
Repair the hole in the plasterboard, cutting holes as needed for pipes. Use a gap filling compound around the perimeter of the new plasterboard. Paint isn’t required but you can paint if you prefer.

Install vanity

Measure the positions of any new pipes on the wall, and transfer them to the backboard of the new vanity, ready to drill out.
Drill holes through backboard of the new vanity using a hole saw bit. Use a hole saw that is approximately 5mm bigger in diameter than the pipes, and drill out from the inside of the vanity.
Pre-drill holes in vanity back to screw to the solid fixing (which you have either located with your stud detector, or newly installed yourself ).
Cut yourself some packers or build a support frame, to support the vanity whilst you’re working.
Position vanity onto wall, and screw it in place.
Some vanities may have a support bracket that is fixed to the wall first.
Ensure unit is level.
Silicone basin onto vanity, and silicone along the wall behind the vanity.
Get the plumber in to reconnect pipework / taps.

Patch floor

If your old waste pipe was coming through the floor, you will need to patch the hole. Depending on your floor surface there are a few ways to do this:

Vinyl Flooring

Patch the hole with the same vinyl.

Floorboards

Replace a whole board:

Remove the floorboard back to the nail line, and replace with a new board. But this may be difficult in a tongue and groove situation.

Plug the hole:

Square off the hole. Use a jigsaw on a 15 degree angle to cut the hole.
Measure and cut a square plug from from similar wood – making sure it is 1mm bigger than the hole. A bigger plug will ensure a tight fit.
Using a drop saw, or a hand saw, clamp the square plug, and cut an angle on each edge.
Insert the square plug, and glue in place with Aliphatic glue. Pin it down with a piece of timber to apply pressure and let it dry overnight.
Remove the pinned timber and sand it down when dry.