Pedestal sinks are a popular choice for bathrooms with limited space. Unlike a traditional sink and cabinet setup, pedestal sinks are freestanding and take up less space. However, while you do save space, you lose the storage area you’d get with a vanity.
Regardless, pedestal sinks offer a refined finishing touch to the space, allowing you to maximize the use of the area without feeling cluttered or cramped. Securing a pedestal sink looks different than a typical vanity, so without further ado, let’s find out how to attach a pedestal sink to the wall.
How To Stabilize A Pedestal Sink
When you buy your new pedestal sink, it should come with some type of installation instructions. However, sometimes those guidelines are entirely too confusing to follow, which is highly frustrating.
So, we’re going to give you a quick idea of installing and stabilizing your pedestal sink, both with and without studs. If the sink doesn’t align with the framing in your bathroom, jump to the next section.
Remember to shut off the water before tinkering with water supply lines. If you’re installing a new sink in an entirely new location, consider having a plumber handle the rough-in plumbing.
Attaching A Pedestal Sink To The Stud
This set of steps requires access to an aligned stud. If the location you want to place the sink aligns with a stud in the bathroom, you can use it as a wall anchor for the sink. The materials vary based on the approach, so glance through the directions before starting.
Prep The Area
Using a stud finder, locate the wall stud you’re securing the sink to. Mark the necessary height of the sink, then cut a hole in the wall at sink height that spans from stud to stud. If your wall is tiled, you’ll need to remove the tile or cut through it with an angle grinder.
Cut a 2 x 8 board to fit snugly between the studs, then attach the brace with angle-driven screws. Patch the area with a piece of drywall, cut to size, and a layer of joint compound. Sand the surface until smooth, then paint the area if necessary.
Install The Bracket
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the appropriate height of the mounting bracket, then anchor it into the 2 x 8 inside the wall by driving screws into the board. Ensure the bracket is level before attaching it.
If the sink didn’t come with a bracket, you could use hanger bolts. Assemble the sink and basin on top of the pedestal. Ask a helper to hold it against the wall (these sinks can be heavy). Mark the necessary anchor holes on the wall, then take apart the sink and move it out of the way.
Pre-drill at the marks, then install hanger bolts in the wall, allowing them to extend from the wall by about 1 inch.
Install The Drain, Trap, and Faucet
Install the drain, trap, and faucet of your choice. Follow the instructions that come with each piece.
Mount The Sink
Next, mount the sink. Carefully move the sink into place near the wall. Mount the basin on the mounting bracket. Or, if you used hanger bolts, line up the mounting holes with the bolts, then push the sink against the wall snugly, so the bolts extend through the mounting holes.
Check the level of the sink, then secure the sink with cap nuts and washers. Tighten at first by hand, then follow with a wrench. Once the sink is mounted, connect the plumbing.
Secure The Pedestal
Once the plumbing is attached, finish installing the sink by bolting the pedestal to the floor using the bolts or nuts provided. Ensure you don’t over-tighten the bolts, as you may crack the pedestal.
Some pedestals don’t require bolts and instead need caulk or grout around the base. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding securing the pedestal.
Attaching A Pedestal Sink Without Studs
If aligning the pedestal sink with support studs is out of the question, you can quickly secure the sink without it. Instead of using the stud to support the sink, you’re going to use toggle bolts. These utilize spring-loaded wings that expand once they’re in place within the wall cavity. Once you tighten the bolt, the wings catch on the back of the wall.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pedestal sink and manufacturer’s instructions
- Pencil
- Silicone caulk
- Power drill
- Appropriately sized drill bit
- Masonry bit (if necessary)
- Toggle bolts
- Screwdriver or screw gun
- Rag
- Acetone
Align The Sink And Mark The Wall And Floor
Start by aligning the sink where you want it to place the toggle bolts. You need to place the sink tight against the wall to mark where the bowl’s mounting holes are with a pencil.
If the sink demands anchor bolts to secure the pedestal to the floor, mark those at this time as well. Some sinks use grout or caulking to secure the pedestal in place, so you won’t need to use anchor bolts.
Drill All Respective Holes
Next, drill the holes using the appropriately sized drill bit. It should be large enough to fit the winged toggle through but not so wide it’ll easily slip out. If the wall behind the sink is masonry, stucco, or covered with stone or ceramic tile, it’ll take a different bit to drill through. A masonry bit should do the trick.
The holes necessary to secure the pedestal to the floor vary based on the manufacturer, so refer to the included instructions for this part.
Prep The Sink
Install the toggle bolts in the back of the sink before you set it into place. Because the bolt must be long enough to open within the wall cavity, only thread the winged toggles onto the bolt a couple of turns.
Once they’re in place, apply a generous amount of silicone adhesive to the back of the sink. This offers extra strength for the sink.
Install The Sink
Align the pedestal base with the holes in the floor, as applicable. Set the base into place, then set the sink on top of the pedestal. Slide the sink close enough to the wall to insert the winged toggles into the mounting holes.
Ensure the toggle wings open once they’re in the wall by tugging on the bolt head. It shouldn’t give. Tighten the bolts as necessary with a screwdriver or screw gun until they fit snug. Using a screwdriver, tighten the lag screws an additional half turn.
Finishing Touches
Scrape away excess silicone that oozed out from behind the sink using a clean rag dampened with acetone. Apply caulk or grout around the pedestal base to secure it in place. If necessary, secure the base to the floor with the anchors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Finish the installation by connecting the plumbing and applying a bead of caulk to the joints between the wall and sink.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you glue a pedestal sink to the wall?
Technically, yes, you can. If you use glue to stick the sink to the drywall, it might be a nightmare to remove in the future. However, if the extra security sounds good to you, you can use adhesive. You shouldn’t use glue by itself to secure the sink to the wall.
Metal brackets can lend additional support and are easy enough to use, and you can use metal brackets by themselves or use the two together.
Do you caulk a pedestal sink?
Yes, you should caulk a pedestal sink. It’s important to caulk around the base of the pedestal, as well as the area where the rear portion of the sink bowl meets the wall. Applying a liberal layer of caulk to both areas helps avoid moisture getting trapped behind the sink, allowing the growth of mold and mildew.
Caulk shouldn’t be used as the sole form of securing your sink. Instead, use it as a seal to keep water out of where it shouldn’t be. Silicone caulk is usually the best option for bathroom applications.