Beginner’s Guide: How to Remove a Pedestal Sink (6 Easy Steps)

A pedestal sink adds a sense of sleek elegance to a bathroom, but it isn’t suitable for every design style.

If you need to remove your pedestal sink, make sure you have someone to assist you.

While none of the methods for removing the pipes are difficult, manually removing the sink will require an extra person for support.

So, how to remove a pedestal sink?

Simply turn off the water supply and disassemble the hose from the pedestal sink. The P-trap and the sealant applied around the sink could then be removed. Start by disconnecting the pedestal sink by releasing screws or stripping the glue that was applied.

This will require only a day of effort to remove the pedestal sink. It’s a possible DIY job, despite being pretty difficult (like most plumbing tasks are).

Also, you save many dollars you might have spent on a professional plumber and use it towards a new pedestal sink.

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How to remove a pedestal sink

Step 1: Shut off the water supply

• Switch off the water supply to your pedestal sink prior to starting to remove it.
• For further precaution, you may want to switch off the building’s main water supply.
• If you want to keep your older faucet on a new sink, be sure the new sink has the correct pipeline and space.

Step 2: Disconnect the water supply Lines

• Lay blankets on the ground beneath the water supply lines.
• Remove the water supply lines on both sides. Even though the water supply has been cut off, there will be some standing water in the pipes that will drain once you unplug them.
• Standing water will be trapped in the drain and supply pipes by the towels.

Step 3: Unplug the P-Trap

• Remove the P-Trap from the wall and detach it.
• The P-trap is a fixture that stops unpleasant air or gases from leaking back into your home from your drainage lines.
• Again, for the time being, keep the faucet and drain lines connected.
• As soon as the pedestal is taken, it will be much easier to detach them from the wall.

Step 4: Remove the Sink

• Ensure that every connection to the sink has been safely disconnected.
• Ensure the P-trap is completely moved from the wall, whereas the sink is also removed with the support of a partner.
• If any fastening bolts are present, be careful to remove them.
• If you want to reuse them in a fresh installation, then keep them.

Step 5: Separate the P-trap

• The P-trap on the pedestal sink can now be removed.
• If you really want to retain any of those components on the new setup, you can wash out the pipelines and P-trap prior to actually joining them to a new sink for placement.
• Tip: The edges of a broken sink may be extremely sharp.
• To safeguard yourself, always use safety gloves while handling a broken pedestal sink.

Step 6: Disconnect the hardware

• Many cities have their own sets of laws and restrictions for disposing of things like porcelain and metal.
• To fulfill any disposal regulations, it’s a great idea to remove any metal components from your former pedestal sink.
• Furthermore, if you intend to reuse the gear on a new installation, detach it as soon as the sink is unplugged so you may inspect it and determine whether it is suitable for a new installation.
• If this is the case, the supply lines and faucets could be soaked and washed to restore their look before being reinstalled.
• You may not be able to extract hardware using a wrench in several cases, especially when changing much older pedestal sinks, and will have to slice through with a chainsaw to release the sink.
• Supply lines should always be terminated as near to the sink as feasible.

Congrats! Now you’ve finished the job of removing the pedestal sink. If this is your only motive, then you can skip further reading.

But if your motive is to remove the pedestal sink and replace it with a vanity, then keep on reading! I will explain the steps you need to follow.

Video: How to Remove A Pedestal Sink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4DkcY845w0

How to Remove a Pedestal Sink and Replace it with a Vanity

Upon the removal of the pedestal sink, you will need the following materials to replace the sink with a vanity.

Materials required

• Screws
• A Level
• A Marker
• Tape Measure
• A Stud Finder
• A Drill
• Saw (Optional)
• wall anchors (optional)
• shims (optional)
• a utility knife (optional)

Step 1: Select the best location

• The first step is to find the best area for installing your bathroom vanity.
• Take your marker and tape to measure the space that your bathroom vanity is going to fill up.
• You can also refer to the manual provided with your vanity to make accurate measurements.
• Next, take the stud finder and aim to align your bathroom vanity with the load-bearing unit.
• After you’ve discovered the correct stud, make a note of it using your highlighter or marker.

Step 2: Drill Holes in the Pipes (Optional)

•  Verify whether your bathroom vanity has an open back or not.
• Incase it doesn’t have one , then you’ll have to drill holes in it with a saw to make openings for the pipelines.
• Check your pipelines first to determine the size of the openings.
• Create holes that are somewhat larger than the size you chose.
• It is critical to make the holes slightly larger so that the pipes have ample room to stretch and wander over.

Step 3: Install the Bathroom Vanity

• Before relocating the bathroom vanity, disconnect the doors, cupboards, and other chambers.
• They may get in your path and cause harm, so eliminate them for the time being.
• Set the bathroom vanity in its specified location, making sure it aligns with your dimensions.
• Use a level to check the alignment of the bathroom vanity.
• If somehow the vanity is too small, you may alter the feet until it comes to the correct height.
• Certain vanities do not have adjustable feet, so you will need to use shims to correctly place them.
• Again, when the shims are in position, trim away any extra material to bring the vanity into optimal alignment.

Step 4: Drill the Bathroom Vanity

• Then, take your drill and drill via both the vanity and the bathroom wall till you reach a stud.

Reason for Removing a Pedestal Sink

There might be a variety of reasons why you want to get rid of your pedestal sink. The following are some of the most typical reasons for removing your pedestal sink.

Maintenance

• Your pedestal sink may require repair every now and then.
• This might be due to physical damage or a technical fault.
• If your pedestal sink is giving you issues, you may have to remove it to identify the issue.
• If you have appointed an expert to handle your sink, they may need to remove the sink.
• Servicing your pedestal sink will result in better durability for your sink.
• It may also lead to increased efficiency.

Cracked

• Even if we never want this to occur, it is sometimes unavoidable.
• If your pedestal sink is broken, you will almost certainly have to replace it.
• If you wish to replace or fix it, you may need to do this.
• Removal of pedestal sink allows you to reach the defective sections of the sink.
• You can also get to the water lines if the fault is there.
• You’ll need to remove the sink to replace the majority of the broken pieces.

Replacing

• It’s possible that your sink isn’t broken, but that you’ve opted to end things with it.
• You’ll have to disassemble your pedestal sink if you wish to replace it.
• This might be due to an improvement, repair, or simply a new design.
• Nevertheless, if you want to be successful in replacing it, you must first remove it.
• Changing your pedestal sink should be considered as a possibility.
• You may choose a design that complements your area while still providing the efficiency you want.

Shifting

• Relocating to a new place is another reason you might wish to remove your pedestal link.
• This is rather frequent, particularly if you want to perform any renovation.
• If you’re rearranging your living room, you’ll want to transfer your pedestal sink.
• If that is the case, it becomes even more critical that you understand everything there is to learn about relocating your sink.
• You might ruin your pedestal sink if you don’t know what you’re doing.
• Whenever you relocate your pedestal sink, make sure you understand what you’re doing.

How to remove a pedestal sink glued to the wall

Removing a pedestal sink is usually rather simple. But if someone has applied construction glue or adhesive caulking to keep it from sliding, then the process will become difficult.  

This is one of those situations when you pray for the best but prepare for the worst.

A pedestal sink is supported by a base. There are a few holes below the sink that permit the installer to connect screws into the drywall.

Almost all of the time, the sink is secured to the walls at these points and then caulked around the circumference.

If glue is applied, it is hard to separate the sink without harming the walls. So prepare for it. You may try cutting through the glue around the circumference with a large blade.

During that process, you will notice that the glue is quite tricky to slice through.

When you’re fortunate enough to be able to slice through this one, slice the base first, then the head while supporting the load of the sink.

You don’t want the sink to tear the sheet away from the walls and scrape away the grain. However, if you are willing to cut through the glue, a strong band of adhesive will remain adhered to the walls.

You can peel some of it off the wall with a sharp putty knife, but you’ll have to fix the drywall or use a bigger sink to hide the damage. In rare circumstances, I have broken it apart by hitting it against the wall.

I don’t suggest it, but it could be necessary as a final option.

Ready for certain wall work irrespective of how the sink is removed from the wall.

Video: How to remove a half pedestal sink

Conclusion

Removing a pedestal sink is not too difficult a job to undertake, but it’s certainly a bit different than removing a sink that is already installed in a countertop.

As we mentioned, you will need to be careful when removing the sink from the countertop, but with a pedestal sink, you also have to be careful when removing it from the cabinet, as there are often pipes and wiring connected to the pedestal.