3
REMOVING YOUR OLD LAVATORY
For new construction begin with INSTALLING YOUR NEW LAVATORY
1.
Turn off the water supply. This is done by closing the two shut-off valves located under
the lavatory.
If there are no shut-off valves leading to the lavatory, you must turn off the water at the main
valve. This is usually located in the basement, garage, or near the foundation on the
outside of the house. It may also be near the water meter.
Check to be sure the water is off by turning on the faucet where you are working until the
water stops flowing.
If you have shut off the main valves in a two-story house or greater, you should open
another faucet on the same or lower level. Water will then drain from the entire line. This
will help avoid spills. Be sure and close the faucets before you turn on the main valve again.
2.
Disconnect the drain pipes. Take off as many sections as possible between the
lavatory and the wall or floor to facilitate removal.
Place a basin under work area to catch any water that may still be in the drain.
3.
Before removing anything else, check to see how the lavatory is supported. If the
pipes in the wall are providing support for the lavatory, use care in removing the faucet
connections. The lavatory may fall once the faucet is disconnected, so have a helper hold
it up while you work.
Look under the lavatory to see if there are
lugs holding it to the countertop. Do not
remove the lugs until you have first braced
the lavatory against falling.
You may be able to shore it up with pieces
of lumber from below. Or you can rig the
support as shown in Figure 1. This sup-
port consists of a strong wire or cord
draped over a 2" x 4". Drop the wire
through the drain and tie it to a block of
wood. Twist the cord until the block of
wood is snug against the tailpiece and
provides a sure support for the lavatory.
You may then unscrew the lugs and lower the lavatory by carefully untwisting the block of
wood.
Detach the faucet from the shut-off valves by unscrewing the compression nut at the joints
between the valves and the water supply tubes.
If the connection is corroded you may need to cut off the nut with a hacksaw. If there is no
nut or shut-off valve, use a tube cutter or hacksaw to separate the faucet from the water
supply tubes.
Keep the basin and sponge handy for water that remains in the pipe and faucet.
Figure 1
