Washbasin replacement

Replacing a washbasin starts with taking out the old one, and that is usually the least predictable part. An old basin may be siliconed to the tiles, held on rusty bolts, with a seized trap waiting underneath. Once it is off you also find out whether the wall plugs are still sound and whether the new basin will cover the marks left by the old one.

How the replacement goes

• turning off the water, disconnecting the tap and trap;
• cutting the silicone, lifting off the old basin and removing the old bolts;
• checking the wall: old holes, cracked tiles, the waste position;
• fitting the new basin on new fixings, plus the tap and trap;
• silicone at the wall and a leak test.

When the new basin has different fixing centres

It is rare for a new basin to have exactly the same fixing hole spacing as the old one. The handyman drills new holes, and the old ones either end up hidden behind the basin or need filling and disguising. If you choose a smaller basin, the old one may leave a visible mark on the tiles. So measure the old basin before buying the new one, and if the difference is large, consider a vanity unit that covers the wall below.

If you want a basin with a cabinet rather than a basin alone, book vanity unit installation instead: it is a different job with a different fixing.

What to prepare

The new basin with its fixing kit, ideally a new trap too, and close-up photos of the current basin from the front and below. Say whether you want to keep the old tap.

Common questions