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September 17, 2009
Sink Replacement - How?
Hi folks. I'm on the verge of closing on a small unit. I love most things about the apt, but one this that I don't like is the way the bathrooms were finished - particularly this sink.
I'd like to replace it - how difficult is this? I'm a complete newbie, this is the first property I've owned, so I literally know nothing about this.
I've found a sink that I do like:
http://www.bignyc.org/featured/antique-earthenware-sink
Any advice? Anyone want this sink if I get rid of it?
Comments
PS - sorry, don't know why the pic loaded up sideways...
Posted by: Ghostnote at September 17, 2009 11:38 AM
Would you be selling sink, or giving it?
Posted by: henrycurtis at September 17, 2009 11:39 AM
Probably selling... but who knows? Trade? Other than the price of purchasing a new sink, I don't know how difficult or expensive it would be to install a new one. I'll probably base my price (or lack thereof) on the results of this investigation...
Posted by: Ghostnote at September 17, 2009 11:44 AM
Have you looked at the antique sink in person to see where the piping for the faucets goes? Can you tuck it behind the pedestal, or is the pedestal hollowed out in the back to conceal the pipes? You want to make sure the holes drilled in your wall tile for the current sink line up and work for the new sink - otherwise you have a visible run of pipe to hide.
Also, look into purchasing the faucets and drain assembly before you buy the sink. You can always go with a rubber plug and use the faucets pictured. If you want a mechanically operated plug, you'll need to measure the drain hole carefully and shop for the right faucets (to fit the cutouts) and a drain narrow enough for a vintage sink.
Other thing to do is measure and make sure you have clearance between the tub and the toilet for the sink. That particular pedestal sink is very wide and might not give you adequate elbow room/clearance around the toilet.
If the piping works, you work out the faucet/drain question and there's adequate clearance, swapping out a sink is an easy plumbing job.
Posted by: zeebee_in_bklyn at September 17, 2009 12:25 PM
It should be a rather simple job, just be moindful of clearances like zeebee said.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 17, 2009 12:35 PM
It's not that hard, but are you planning to DIY or hire someone? The only real tricky part is that with a pedestal sink, you have to attach it to the wall since it's top heavy and needs extra support to stay upright. The sink you are replacing looks like it has 4 legs (can't tell with the funny sideways picture) and probably didn't have the same kind of reinforced installation.
Posted by: brooklynstyle at September 17, 2009 1:33 PM
It does have 4 legs. I was planning to hire someone, unless of course it'd be exorbitant. Think it would be?
Posted by: Ghostnote at September 17, 2009 4:13 PM
If the sink fits you are still choosing one of the more difficult types of sinks to install (because the pipes are not easy to access inside the pedestal). After you close contact me if you'd like me to take a look.
Sincerely,
masterbuildernyc@gmail.com
Posted by: masterbuilder at September 18, 2009 7:59 AM
I appreciate it and I will! I've also looked around online and I realize that there are many, many sinks out there that are cheaper and still nice...
Posted by: Ghostnote at September 18, 2009 9:34 AM
Btw -- I'm about to start a gut renovation of my bathroom, hopefully next week. We are also planning on adding a pedestal sink. I can't tell you how much it will be for just the sink installation since that's wrapped up in the price of the entire bathroom, but my bathroom guy tells me it's not that difficult. It might be slightly more expensive than a traditional sink, but not exorbitant.
Posted by: brooklynstyle at September 18, 2009 12:03 PM
Actually, I'm curious as to how much your gut renovation is costing altogether - I'm not a fan of the tiles in the bathroom either, and was planning to replace them eventually; if it's cost-efficient to just do the whole thing in one go, I'd consider that. Do you mind telling me? If you don't want to share that information on the forum, my email is alexander@ghostnoteltd.com...
Posted by: Ghostnote at September 19, 2009 8:39 PM
oops -- just saw this post (been busy renovating). We've just finished the rough in work, and have bought all the fixtures except the towel rack, toilet paper holder thing, etc so there are a few more things to buy, but the budget shouldn't change by much.
I'm looking at $15k total. I saved a few places here and there by doing some work myself, hiring an out of work friend who used to work in construction (lots of those people around, evidently), and we picked pretty basic finishes. I used run of the mill hex and subway tiles, no fancy glass tiles or anything like that.
Posted by: brooklynstyle at October 6, 2009 7:45 PM
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