NA: replacing a bathroom sink basin

GeorgeC

GeorgeC

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GeorgeC
A number of years ago, I fumbled a coffee mug into the bathroom sink, and the basin cracked. It must have been made out of recycled eggshells or something.

Being the frugal pilot type, I slapped some gorilla tape on it and called it good, but lately I've come to realize I have certain materialistic needs.

It's a bit of an odd setup, as the vanity is only 20" wide, and has to be a few inches off the floor in order to clear a hvac vent.

Is it possible to replace just the basin? If it's cemented to the vanity top somehow, would I need to replace that as well? At some point, it might be throwing good money after bad, as this was a cheap wayfair vanity. Suspect the shutoff valves need to be replaced as well, since the water flow is only slightly better than a trickle.

If this is not a time/money efficient DIY task, is this a job for a handyman or a plumber?
 
Is it an undermount or top mount?

If it's undermount, it is probably glued. That could be a PITA to remove without destroying the counter top depending on material. I made a concrete vanity counter top and mounted an undermount sink a few years ago - I was amazed that the consensus was to just glue it up there, but here we are 4-5 years later and it's still holding up despite my two sons' best efforts to destroy it.

If it's top mount, it's probably just set in place with some caulk around the lip which may be easier to replace.
 
There are a number of different attachment methods. A picture from above and below would narrow the possibilities down a lot.
 
It is undermounted and glued.
 
Probably easiest to just replace the counter top. But - given that you have nothing to lose by trying to pry out the old sink with the assistance of a heat gun...
 
Is the vanity top formica? Maybe drill a hole adjacent to the under mount bowl, take a small router with a small diameter cutting bit and go around the outside of the bowl. Then drop a new bowl in from the top, if you can find one with the right dimensions.
 
I did this with a top-mount recently.
The formica (or whatever) was bonded to the sink and cracked off in many places so I also had to re-laminate the wood.
Luckily I saved leftover countertop material from 30 years before, in the attic.
It was so much effort for someone not in the industry that I would now consider a 3 gallon bucket under the cracked sink, and call it good!

Let's not talk about the stainless sink that severed an extensor tendon resulting in time off, several surgeries. (I still tell my wife that 50 years of successful DIY was well in my favor despite this setback, lol)
 
Confucius say don't sink too much effort into bathroom remodel
 
If diy make sure your hands are or calibrated for plumbing fittings. Mine are not an I have either under-torqued or over,-torqued about every plumbing fittings I have ever put together. Only plumbers know the correct torque and they're a closely guarded secret.

Seriously, my experience is that plumbing seems to be so simple, until you actually do it. Even more so than other mechanical things.
 
If you get a self rimming sink, it sets in the hole from the top and it won't matter if you **** up the bottom surface of the counter top getting the old sink out.

And, having thunk about it for a while, a oscillating tool may be the thing to cut between the existing sink and counter top.
 
Just to add more options - have you considered just replacing the whole thing? Several vanity+sink options that sit off the floor at the big box stores.
 
For a drop-in replacement, would it be fussy to match the dimensions of the oval?

Given that my ability to use tools is like this:
orangutan-hammer.gif
, it's probably a safer bet for me to replace the top as well as the basin.

bflynn said:
Just to add more options - have you considered just replacing the whole thing? Several vanity+sink options that sit off the floor at the big box stores.
Click to expand...
I have, but the dimensions are unusual enough that it's hard to find. I could also replace it with a pedestal sink, but then we'd lose the drawer and shelf.

Zeldman said:
Make it easy and just buy a new house...
Click to expand...
The "while you're in there..." scope creep is strong...
 
GeorgeC said:
For a drop-in replacement, would it be fussy to match the dimensions of the oval?
Click to expand...
As long as the drop in is big enough to cover the existing hole... It doesn't have to be very neat or accurate.
GeorgeC said:
I could also replace it with a pedestal sink, but then
Click to expand...
you would curse, complain, and wonder how you could have been so stupid any time you had to do any sort of maintenance. Pedestals suck.
 
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GeorgeC said:
Suspect the shutoff valves need to be replaced as well, since the water flow is only slightly better than a trickle.
Click to expand...
Well, that's embarrassing. It had a flow restrictor on it. Mother pus bucket...
 
GeorgeC said:
For a drop-in replacement, would it be fussy to match the dimensions of the oval?

Given that my ability to use tools is like this:
View attachment 136906
, it's probably a safer bet for me to replace the top as well as the basin.


I have, but the dimensions are unusual enough that it's hard to find. I could also replace it with a pedestal sink, but then we'd lose the drawer and shelf.


The "while you're in there..." scope creep is strong...
Click to expand...
Try IKEA. We have a tiny half bath. Found a nice wall mount vanity with storage there. They have small stuff for small spaces.
 
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