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Replace a Bathroom Vanity
Update the look of your bathroom fast and easy.
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Installing a new bathroom vanity is an easy way to spruce
up the look of a bathroom and provide improved storage
space. If you are having a bath professionally remodeled,
this is one of many things that a moderately experienced
do-it-yourselfer can do to cut costs. This project
describes the first part of the job - preparing for and installing
the vanity cabinet. Then, see how easy it is to install a
new counter with a drop-in sink, or an integral
sink/countertop.
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| Tools and Materials | |
| Adjustable wrench
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2-1/2" drywall screws
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| Groove-joint pliers
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Tape measure
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| 2-ft. carpenter's level
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Electronic stud finder
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| Pencil or marker
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Hammer and nails
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| Quick bar clamps (2)
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Pack of shims
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| Electric drill-driver
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Utility knife
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| Combination pilot/countersink bit
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Caulk and caulking gun
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| Magnetic bit holder and Phillips bit
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Molding and 4d finishing nails
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| 1-1/2" and 2-1/4" hole saws
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| 1. Remove Existing Sink, Countertop, and Vanity | | 1a. Shut off the water at the valves under the sink. Unscrew the nuts that secure the hot
and cold supply tubes to the shutoff valves with an adjustable wrench.
1b. Place a container under the drain and loosen the slip nut that secures the drain
tailpiece to the j-shaped p-trap. (Drain nuts can be loosened by hand or using
groove-joint pliers.) Then loosen the nut that secures the drain arm to the drain stub-out at
the wall.
1c. Cut any caulk seal between the sink and countertop with a putty knife and lift out the
sink. If you plan to reuse the sink, set it down on an old towel to protect the porcelain
while you remove the old caulk with the putty knife and clean it up. If you plan to reuse
both the sink and counter, leave the sink in the counter and remove the screws on the
underside of the counter that secure it to the cabinet.
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| 2. Prepare the Wall and Vanity | | 2a. On the new vanity, remove all drawers and take off the doors
by unscrewing the hinges from the cabinet.
2b. Measure the height of the cabinet and draw a level line on the
wall at that height using a spirit level and a pencil (or a marker for
tile). Draw a plumb line on the wall representing one side of the
cabinet.
2c. If there are two or more cabinets, align the fronts carefully and
clamp the stiles together. Bore two clearance/pilot/countersink
holes into the edge of the stiles using a drill with a combination bit.
Secure the cabinets with 2-1/2-in. coarse-thread drywall screws.
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| | |  Tip: | | | | If possible, locate the holes at hinge locations so
they will be concealed when doors are
reinstalled.
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| 3. Level the Vanity | | | Slide the vanity into place, aligning it with the plumb and vertical
lines on the wall. Insert tapered shims under the cabinet, as
needed, until a level shows that it is plumb and vertical. If a floor is
badly out of level and leveling the cabinet leaves an unacceptable
gap at the floor you will either need to cut the cabinet bottom to
match the floor or install molding such as base shoe to cover the
gap.
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| 4. Secure the Vanity | | | Locate wall studs by using the existing screw holes from the old
vanity or an electronic stud finder. Bore clearance holes through
the back rail of the vanity at stud locations and secure the
cabinet to the wall with 2-1/2-in. drywall screws. Click here for diagrams.
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| 5. Complete the Installation | | | Cut off any protruding portion of shims with repeated passes of a
sharp utility knife. Caulk small gaps between the vanity and the
floor and wall; install molding to cover large gaps. If you are
reinstalling your countertop and sink, reverse the removal
procedure described in Step 1. If you are installing a new counter
or sink, see that project.
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| | | Tip: | | | | Tired of getting down on your hands and knees
to hunt through a jumble of stuff in a vanity?
Rollout shelves and wire baskets increase
storage space and make it more convenient,
especially for the elderly. Use commercial
accessories or make simple shallow drawers with plywood and
install them with drawer slide hardware, as described in the
project, Install Base-Cabinet Rollouts.
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