Installing a wall-hung basin is an excellent way to save space and achieve a modern aesthetic in your bathroom. This process requires precision, proper tools, and careful attention to plumbing details to ensure a secure and functional fixture.
Essential Tools & Materials
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools and materials. Having everything on hand will streamline the installation process.
- Tools:
- Spirit level
- Drill (hammer drill for masonry)
- Drill bits (appropriate for wall material and anchor size)
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
- Screwdrivers (Philips and flathead)
- Silicone gun
- Utility knife
- Bucket and towels (for spills)
- Materials:
- Wall-hung basin and its mounting hardware (bolts, washers, nuts)
- Tap (faucet)
- Tap hoses (hot and cold supply lines)
- Drain valve
- Siphon (P-trap or bottle trap)
- Silicone sealant (mold-resistant, bathroom grade)
- Plumber's tape (PTFE tape)
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful installation of your new wall-hung basin.
1. Dismantle the Existing Washbasin
Begin by safely removing your old washbasin, if one is present.
- Shut off water: Locate the main water shut-off valve for your bathroom or home and turn off the water supply to prevent leaks.
- Disconnect plumbing: Disconnect the hot and cold water supply lines from the tap and the drainpipe from the existing basin. Have a bucket ready to catch any residual water.
- Remove basin: Carefully unmount the old basin from the wall or pedestal, ensuring it doesn't fall. Dispose of it properly.
2. Prepare the Wall and Drill Anchor Holes
Accurate marking and drilling are crucial for a sturdy wall-hung basin.
- Measure and mark: Determine the desired height for your new basin. Typically, the top rim is around 80-85 cm (31-33 inches) from the floor, but adjust according to your preference and comfort. Mark the exact positions for the mounting bolts on the wall, using a spirit level to ensure perfect alignment.
- Identify wall type: Understand your wall construction (e.g., plasterboard, solid brick, stud wall) to select the correct type of anchors and drill bits. For solid walls, use robust expanding bolts; for stud walls, ensure you drill into the studs or use appropriate heavy-duty anchors like toggle bolts if studs aren't ideally placed.
- Drill holes: Using the appropriate drill bit, carefully drill the marked holes to the recommended depth for your chosen anchors.
3. Attach Tap Hoses to the Tap
Connect the hot and cold water supply hoses to the tap before mounting the basin to the wall. This makes the connection much easier due to better access.
- Thread hoses: Carefully thread the flexible hot and cold water hoses into the corresponding inlets on the underside of the tap body.
- Hand-tighten: Hand-tighten the connections, then use an adjustable wrench for a final snug turn, being careful not to overtighten and damage the threads.
4. Mount the Drain Valve
Install the drain valve (also known as the pop-up or waste assembly) into the basin's drain opening.
- Position gasket: Place the rubber or foam gasket around the drain valve body.
- Insert into basin: Insert the drain valve through the basin's drain hole from the top.
- Secure: From underneath the basin, attach the securing nut and tighten it firmly, ensuring a watertight seal.
5. Position and Anchor the Basin to the Wall
This is a critical step that often requires two people due to the weight of the basin.
- Insert anchors: Install the wall anchors into the drilled holes.
- Align and lift: Carefully lift the basin and align its mounting holes with the anchors protruding from the wall.
- Secure: Push the basin onto the anchors. Attach the washers and nuts to the mounting bolts from underneath the basin. Gradually tighten the nuts, alternating sides to ensure the basin is pulled evenly and securely against the wall.
- Check level: Continuously use a spirit level to ensure the basin is perfectly level as you tighten. Avoid overtightening, which could crack the basin.
6. Install the Tap
With the basin securely mounted, you can now finalize the tap installation.
- Secure tap: If your tap was not fully secured to the basin earlier, do so now. This might involve tightening a large nut from underneath the basin that clamps the tap to the basin deck.
- Connect water supply: Connect the pre-attached tap hoses to the hot and cold water supply pipes protruding from the wall. Use plumber's tape on the threads for a secure, leak-free connection.
7. Mount the Siphon
The siphon (P-trap or bottle trap) is essential for preventing sewer gases from entering your bathroom.
- Connect to drain valve: Attach one end of the siphon to the drain valve assembly extending from the bottom of the basin.
- Connect to wall drain: Connect the other end of the siphon to the drain pipe in the wall.
- Hand-tighten: Hand-tighten all connections first, then use an adjustable wrench to ensure they are snug, but do not overtighten. Ensure all seals and washers are correctly seated.
8. Seal the Basin to the Wall with Silicone
The final step for a clean finish and added stability.
- Clean surface: Ensure the gap between the basin and the wall is clean and dry.
- Apply silicone: Apply a continuous bead of mold-resistant silicone sealant along the entire seam where the back of the basin meets the wall.
- Smooth bead: Use a wet finger or a silicone smoothing tool to create a neat, uniform bead. This prevents water from seeping behind the basin and provides extra support.
- Cure time: Allow the silicone to cure fully according to the manufacturer's instructions before using the basin (usually 24 hours).
Testing Your New Basin
Once all steps are complete and the silicone has cured, slowly turn on your main water supply. Check all plumbing connections for any signs of leaks. Run both hot and cold water through the tap and allow the basin to fill, then drain, observing the siphon and drain connections for any drips.
