Washbasin installation

A washbasin without a vanity unit is a popular choice for small bathrooms and guest toilets: the basin hangs on the wall and leaves space underneath for a bin or a washing machine. It looks light, but all the weight sits on two bolts in the wall, so the fixing decides whether a few years later the basin starts pulling away from the tiles.

What washbasin installation covers

• marking the height and bolt holes, usually with the rim at 80–90 cm;
• fixing the basin on hanger bolts or brackets suited to the wall;
• fitting the tap, trap and waste and connecting them to the valves and drain;
• sealing the joint with the wall using sanitary silicone and a water test.

Wall-hung, countertop or pedestal

A wall-hung basin needs a solid wall or a support frame in plasterboard boxing. A countertop basin sits on a worktop or cabinet and needs a tall or wall-mounted tap. A pedestal or semi-pedestal hides the trap and pipes, so the waste and water points have to fit behind it. Before buying, measure where the pipes come out and compare with the basin’s technical drawing.

What to prepare

The basin with its fixing kit, the tap and trap, plus a photo of the wall showing the water and waste points. If the wall is plasterboard, say whether reinforcement was built in.

Common questions