Installing a Bathroom Vanity and Countertop

The installation of a new bathroom vanity and countertop can transform an outdated bathroom into a contemporary one. Installing a vanity and countertop is simple to do and can be purchased from any home improvement store for less than $500.

Remove the old Vanity and Countertop

First turn off the water supplies under the vanity. Next disconnect the supply lines at the valves. Then disconnect the drain pipe at the trap (the j-shaped section underneath the vanity). Next remove the corner screws that are securing the top of the old vanity to the countertop. The countertop should then be able to be lifted off of the old vanity.

After the countertop has been separated from the vanity, remove the faucet hardware if you plan on reusing the existing faucet. Make sure, however, when purchasing your new vanity countertop that it will support the faucet configuration (one hole or three holes ? and the number of inches between the holes ? center to center).

After the countertop and faucet have been removed from the work area, unscrew the back and/or side screws that hold the vanity to the wall(s). Then remove the vanity from the bathroom.

Installing the new Vanity and Countertop

Slide the new vanity into the location where the previous vanity resided. Note: you will probably need to remove/cut away a portion of the back of the new vanity to allow the supply lines and drainage pipe to slide through. A jig saw works fine for this effort. Just make a couple of pilot holes with a drill and then use the jig saw to cut out the appropriate area.

Once the vanity is in position, you will need to square it up with the back or side walls and make sure it sits level. If there are imperfections in the walls when attempting to square it up (e.g. the walls are not straight), you can either scribe the vanity or use a small piece of trim to hide any imperfections. Scribing involves using a compass and cutting/shaving away a strip of the vanity edge such that the entire length of the cabinet edge sits evenly against the wall.

In order to level the vanity, shims may be necessary to temporarily hold the vanity in place. Make sure the vanity is level back to front and side to side. Then, using screws fasten the vanity to the walls. Make sure the screws are securely fastened to studs behind the sheetrock.

Once the vanity has been secured, it is now time to tackle the new countertop.

It is best to mount the faucet assembly to the countertop before placing the countertop onto the vanity. Once the faucet/supply lines and drain pipe have been installed to the countertop you are ready to place the countertop onto the vanity. However, it is best to lay a bead of Liquid Nails (caulk adhesive) along the top of the vanity first. This will help to ensure that the countertop remains securely fastened to the vanity. In some cases, this may be all that is necessary or desired for securing the countertop to the vanity.

Place the countertop on top of the vanity making sure it sits square. Use screws to secure the vanity to the countertop. Usually there are corner blocks on the vanity to secure the screws to the countertop. Make sure, however, that you use screws that will not penetrate through the top of the vanity.

Finally connect the supply line feeds (dangling down from the faucet) to the copper supply lines. Then connect the drain pipe of the bowl/sink to the J-Trap drainage pipe.

Turn on the hot/cold water supply line valves and you are done.