Pedestal Sinks: The Pros and Cons of Installing a Pedestal Sink | This Plumber Doesn’t Like Them
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- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
- Jim, the Grumpy Plumber, shares his opinion on pedestal sinks. Why pedestal sinks are hard too plumb and how to attach to a wall when installing a pedestal sink.
The plumbing gods invented pedestal sinks to make a plumber grumpy.
Jim breaks down the pros and cons of installing a pedestal sink, for a DIY’er to a professional plumber. You may end up paying more for future repairs of the faucets, one of many things to consider before you install a pedestal sink in your home.
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Oh my. We watched this and STILL decided to put in a pedestal sink. Having put it in and out 5 times now I wish we has listened!
Your advice just came from heaven to me...I was about to make the mistake of installing one...then I thought of my Grand Children...Thank You so much
I appreciate the straightforward to the point advice (there are enough "how to" videos). I was on the fence about which to do and this was super helpful to give another perspective without having to dig through a boring video with useless filler.
Bought a house built in 1940 - bathroom is tiny. I thought a pedestal sink would give illusion of more room. Thanks for your channel helping me move forward on my diy projects
You’re full of good videos! I watched a bunch on your other channel before we went to Hawaii in March. And now here I am learning about pedestal sinks 😅 Who’d thunk.
Good info. Unfortunately, for some of us with old houses that have smaller bathrooms, a vanity isn't an option. Good to know about the backer board.
Great video. I was going to get one for a newly installed power room but I think I'll shop for a small vanity now.
Good video, thanks. I tried installing one and Jesus, had nothing but problems due to changing out the sink because it cracked and the facuets. Very informative.
Thanks a million for this video!
Awesome work
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Great tips. I installed a new faucet recently on a pedestal sink and yes it was a huge pain. I had a tough time using the basin wrench.
Ahi Zhong, I hope you put a good quality faucet on your pedestal sink so you don’t have to do it again!
I love all your answers so far! lol
Thumbs up! I'm building a tiny house, the pedestal sink(s) are minimalist and appropriate for my needs ... and per your advice, I will use wood block and stud directly for solid support, the dry-waller can get creative around it if necessary. Utmost blessings!
777, you need to put wood backer in the wall and then drywall over it and then mount the sink to the drywall. Pedestal sinks are great when mounted correctly.
Thank you for this video. I’m going to refer customers to this one. Expect to pay the price for a luxury fixture!!
I was thinking of a pedestal sink. I've changed my mind. Thank you
Wrong info!! There easy to put in!
I'm 71 with a bad back. Like to do things myself but any repair on the pedestal and my back hurts for 3 days.
Mine is actually fastened properly into the wall. The pedestal pulls away fairly easy.
That's very helpful, thank you. We just got our leaky faucets changed and they had to take the whole sink off the wall to do it. When he came to fix it back to the wall there were no holes in the wall. I guess the sink was just resting (glued?) against the dry wall. Don't know how I'm goin to fix it to the wall now.... Any suggestions?
Cath, use 3/8x2 1/2 toggle bolts. Use about 3 to hold the plate that holds the sink to the wall. Near the bottom of the bowl, there are two holes, one on each side. Use toggle bolts on those. If that doesn’t work, buy a vanity.
Thanks for the video. May I ask if I can use the pedestal sink without the pedestal as a wall mounted sink? My house has a pedestal sink from the previous owner. It was mounted on a metal plate that's screwed to the wall/wood behind the wall, and the sink is 'hung' on the metal plate. And it was glued to the wall tiles as well. I want to reuse the sink but without the pedestal. Do you know if that is safe without the pedestal? Thanks!
Esther Moy, put some down pressure on the sink to see if it’s stable. There is usually a hole on the back bottom right and left side of the sink. If there are no screws there, install a couple of screws. Otherwise, you should be able to remove the pedestal without a problem.
My plumber complained when he installed one for me. Recently the faucet broke and I had to replace it. After struggling with a pliers, I you tubed it and found that a basin wrench was needed. Although the cheapest version of the tool cost as much as the faucet set, it made the job easy and I fixed it in no time. Bonus: no complaining plumber and high bill.
I’m considering changing the vanity I have to a pedestal sink in the powder room. It’s a small space for sink and toilet only, thinking it may freshen up the house built 1989. Hope I don’t regret it lol..
Go for it!
I just installed a pedestal sink for the guest bathroom. I don’t like vanity sinks because when the plumbing leaks water soaks the wood, gets underneath causes mold, mildew, wood rot and attract roaches and rodents. That being said I agree with you that installing the pedestal sink takes time and is not fun. I started by cutting the drywall and installing a backer board. Than plastered the wall and painted the entire bathroom. Everything you said is true. It was a pain in the neck and back. I think when I do my master bathroom I going to install a vanity and install tile in the vanity with an electronic water detection system. That will be easier than installing a pedestal sink.
Thanks for the video. Just as you described, my pedestal sink is loose (thanks, son haha.) Wondering if detaching and reattaching drain is going to be a pain. Planning on using a slab of hardwood decking (cumaru) attached to studs as backer. Any thoughts?
It may make it stick out too far but the trap might still be okay (arm of the trap will be long enough). Check how the trap will adjust with the new slab. Cumaru is a nice wood, good choice.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber Copy, will cut out drywall, attack the backer and mud over to keep everything flush. LOVE my cumaru decking. Thanks!
Get rid of it and buy a regular wood vanity. Any kind of maintenance is impossible like accessing the p-trap on the ones I've come across. Already removed one pedestal sink in one property and about to replace another as a pre-emptive move.
Just out of curiosity (I’m not going to try it) if I sat on a pedestal sink, would it be stable enough to hold my 150 pound body even if installed correctly? I was thinking of getting one and replacing my vanity with one to create more space in my bathroom. I would have to buy baseboard as the wall would be exposed and paint and possibly open up my wall to install backing. A lot of work where as replacing with a new smaller single door vanity would be much easier. But to purchase a well-made non particle board vanity, it is very expensive compared to a pedestal sink. So I think it comes down to the stability and durability of a pedestal sink is what I am looking out for now. I want something that I would not be afraid to lean on or have somebody bump into. Thanks.
Gregory Steven, if the pedestal sink bracket are anchored well into the wall with large screws, yes, you should be able to sit on it. You do not want to use toggle bolts or plastic anchors.
I need some help I’ve watched your videos great stuff. I have to put a pedestal in my house but the drain doesn’t match up with where the sink has to go due to limited space what is an option I have to pipe the trap, Drain in a correct fashion. It’s off centers by 8 inches
However you plumb the sink, it’s not going to look good. The best thing to do is open the wall and turn the drain and then repair the wall. If you immediately turn the drain on the outside wall with a 90 degree elbow, you probably won’t have enough room to tie the trap in. It would be a difficult job and look unsightly.
Also they are used Alot of times in my experience where there isnt much space , Like you said a half bath , Or even a small full bathroom/OLD
I saw the bottom part of pedestal sinks at our habitat for humanity re store. Could those just be used to hide wall mounted sink (already installed) plumbing while staying removable? (So just to provide a pleasant place for the eye to rest that isn't on the pipes of a wall-mounted sink, kind of like they used to do on country kitchen sinks where they'd have a curtain but this would be the ceramic pedestal instead that could be easily just slid back out to work on the pipes)
Kringledelicious, well, I have never seen it done but you might have a good idea. Will they sell you just the pedestal? If they will, ask if you can return it if it doesn’t work.
I installed a couple in my house and one in a new house I built. Definitely a bit finicky to install. One I got a solid connection to the tile wall, but just a teeeny bit too low, so water sits on the top, evaporates and leaves hard to clean crud.
Harry sweet, are you telling me that water won’t drain out of the sink bowl completely? Or, you have a leak on the drain itself, like the p- trap? Please clarify.
Attempted to replace on a pedestal sink - the cartridge for the hot and cold and they cost $15/piece. Have a new faucet but it is a nightmare to remove the sink-drain. It looks like I will need to remove this thing off the wall. Another option is just replace the cartridge but the faucet is like a rock and doesn't budge. Also now the taps is scratched up after using electrical tape and a rag around it. Ideas?
Top Cat, it probably will be easier to remove the sink from the wall.
Thanks I'm putting 2 in right now 😢and it seems to me that the basin part doesn't sit well on the pedestal?
Jimmy Palmisano, the reason for that is they make the basin and pedestal in two different locations. Just make sure the basin is firmly attached to the wall.
The troubleshooting to find the smell in my house is pointing to a down draft from the basement shower that doesn't appear to have a P-trap. How do I check the venting system to see if this could be the cause? I am on City sewer so no septic system.
@@angelaalbrecht6333 Every fixture must have a p-trap. That keeps the sewer smell away. A vent is used to relieve the air pressure so it can’t suck the trap dry. If you don’t use the shower downstairs, add some antifreeze to the trap because antifreeze will not evaporate and it will make a trap seal. If there is no trap on the shower, either install a trap or plug the drain completely.
@@angelaalbrecht6333 Every fixture must have a p-trap. That keeps the sewer smell away. A vent is used to relieve the air pressure so it can’t suck the trap dry. If you don’t use the shower downstairs, add some antifreeze to the trap because antifreeze will not evaporate and it will make a trap seal. If there is no trap on the shower, either install a trap or plug the drain completely.
It was my dream to have a vanity but unfortunately for the space i had to go with the padestal basin
If a person gets a vanity. Would water proofing the interior be a good idea?
If you do the plumbing properly and everything is tight, there would be no need to water proof the interior of a vanity.
Do I have to take it apart to snake it, or can I go through the sink basin?
You don’t have to snake your sink drain. Disconnect the pop up lever and pull out the pop up. Clean out the pop up and use a screwdriver to clean out anything in the drain. The trap does not plug. It happens only on TV when they are trying to sell you drain cleaner.
what about installing a pedestal sink whenever the supply lines and the drains go into the floor and not into the wall, is it still possible to use a pedestal sink? Thanks.
@tomk2098,yes you can install a pedestal sink but you have to use an s-trap on the drain and it’s not a recommended drain and building inspections do not approve them. But, it’s your bathroom.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber Thanks for your advice, for now I think I talked my daughter out of the pedestal sink.
Our house came with two pedestal sinks, and we hate them. A pain to change faucets, a pain to clean around. When we have the chance, they’re coming out.
D ODay, we are of like minds.
I am waiting until my pedestal sink clogs totally before I unclog the drain, or, I will remove the pedestal and install a new vanity instead of unclogging. It was such a pain when I unclogged it years ago.
Martha Hom, the p-trap only plugs on TV commercials. If you pull the stopper out of the pop-up drain, that is a much easier way to clean it.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber I did that today, thank you!!!
Pedestal sink is a perfect example of form over function. Can I assume that even if you had a small half bath but still had enough room for a conventional vanity that you would choose the vanity?
Keith, I would choose a vanity while my wife would choose the pedestal. The ball is now in your court.
We have one in our main bathroom via the previous owners. I hate that sink and now that we need to change the faucet I hate it even more.
Cynthia Dixon, sorry for you….I know the feeling.
Avoid pedestal sinks if possible. Great advice
I've got a modern style low boy single part toilet that is probably from the 1940s or 50s. It sprays all over at the screwed on top mechanism and it has an old floater arm that I kept bending. I can't find a brand on it but the inside of the toilet lid has a bunch of numbers. I had a plumber that said he's repaired them in the past but parts are not available. I have pictures. I'm looking online but haven't found a picture.
Cecilia fox, the part that’s leaking is called a fill valve. If it has a black tube on the side of the fill valve and connects to the porcelain bowl of the toilet, that might be a Kohler toilet. If it has numbers on the lid that start with a k, that’s a Kohler. If the flush valve has a black barrel on it, that would be an American Standard. If it’s an American Standard, you might be able to use a Fluid Master fill valve. You would need to adjust it down until it is real short. It will show you in the instructions how to do that. Those are the two most popular one piece toilets. Now, if it’s a Kohler, call 1 920-8033927 and ask for tech support. If there is a number that starts with a k, give it to them and they will tell you if the part is available. It could be a Crane toilet and you might be able to use a Fluid Master on that. The fill valve that you have now has what we call a “float ball” on the end of a rod. We just don’t use those anymore. Hope this helps you out.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber Thanks. That's a good start. I couldn't think of the term "flow valve". I searched a little harder and did find a model that came close. I forget which one. I did see Crane. I'd rather fix it for now because I'm doing other big projects. And I'll probably replace my pedestal at the same time.
I do have my eye on an American Standard Right Height Optum Vormax HET. It's got dual injection flush valves which appear to be somewhat controversial in online reviews. Any thoughts?
@@TheGrumpyPlumber The lid has 3 numbers on the left on top of each other. 4300 6002 6011. There is a middle number 7406. Between them is a sideways 16 with a blue stamp under it that looks like 6-43. Then another smaller sideways (and upside down) sized number 3 space 2575. I need a magnifying glass for the number inside the tank. 😀 Looks like a Case/Briggs. Parts over $200. Guess I'll be getting a new one.
Cecilia fox, I would listen to the reviews that don’t give this toilet a good review. I’m not a fan of this American Standard toilet.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber what do you think is wrong with it?
I hate vanities, I’ll work on a pedestal sink any day. They aren’t that bad. And you don’t have all the crap to remove from the cabinet. Then worming your way in there and trying to get to the faucet connections? You can have it :) It’s funny, U.K. Plumbers don’t seem to mind them and apparently they’re much more common over there. Americans hate dealing with them but I don’t understand why. I also like the way they look. A master bathroom needs a vanity tho for sure.
Im a plumber... I agree about pedestal sink...that's why I have one.(half bath) ..everything he mention I did... but he didnt mention about the pipes. and drain...eveything has to be measure and precise ... I use a wide spread faucet ...but your hot and cold has to be inside the the pedestal or else it would look ugly... and dont use flex hose...OMG...stay away from stainless flex hose...it's ugly.....you have to do this old school . use 3/8 chrome/brass plated pipe tubing.
Your Dad sounds and talks a lot like Mark Cuban.. looks like him too Lool
I want pedestal sinks
Look... you can buy Cabinets To Go underneath that make it look just like one of those BOWL sinks on top of a counter.
Katherine, you do you!!
@@TheGrumpyPlumber
I've been in too many bathroom where the condensation warped the cabinet.
I dream of an all tile and porcelain and glass brick bathroom.
Katherine, that dream bathroom sounds like a lot of money but will look great when it is done.
I never liked them because I want to be able to store TP and cleaning supplies in a cabinet under the sink. Now I have even more reasons to avoid them.
It’s not that bad..... dang... even the old man stated it’s not that bad... 2:40
Why don’t they make a pedestal sink that the pedestal can be removed from repairs ?
Jerry Wasik, the pedestal is two pieces. If the top piece is properly installed like being tight to the wall, you can sometimes loosen it a little and slide the pedestal out from underneath it. That’s what you would call a lucky pedestal sink.
I hate em , plumbing nightmare
There actually easy to put in!! Not misery! Get a grip!
I need to access the trap on my Koehler pedestal sink. (Was cleaning out the pop-up stopper and the top came unscrewed, plopped down in the drain.) Non-ferrous so my extension magnet wouldn't work.
So...do I need to somehow lift the sink slightly to pull the pedestal out and pivot it out of the way?
Sad. I prefer the look of a pedestal sink
bubblygranolachick, I like the looks of pedestal sinks too, but I don’t like working on them. There is no countertop space. I’m glad you like them. Don’t be sad.