How to Install a Hanger for a Wall Mount Sink

Wall mount sinks are an efficient use of space

Wall mount sinks provide a clean, efficient use of space in very small bathrooms or powder rooms. Because of the weight of a porcelain or cast iron sink, it is important that the wall mount hanger be properly installed. This means that it has to be screwed or bolted to solid wood, which requires opening up the existing wall and adding a wood cross piece.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Stud finder
• Metal straight edge
• Utility knife, sharp blades
• Two-by-six board
• Hammer
• 3 1/2-inch galvanized common nails
• 4 and 6-inch putty knives
• Drywall compound
• Drywall tape
• Wall mount sink hanger
• Sink
• Level
• Electric drill
• Drill bit
• Screwdriver or wrench

Instructions

1. Measure the wall where the sink is to be located up from the floor 30 inches. Typically the top of sinks are positioned at this height.

2. Use a stud finder to locate two vertical wood wall studs. A stud finder is a magnetic tool that indicates when it's sitting over a stud. After locating a stud, locate the next one either to the left or right of the first. Mark both locations on the wall.

3. Lay a metal straight edge against the wall and measure out and draw a rectangular box between the two studs. Draw a horizontal line at the 30-inch mark. Measure 12 inches down from the 30-inch mark and draw a second horizontal line. Connect these lines with two vertical lines placed over the two wall studs.

4. Press the straight edge along each of the pencil lines while cutting through the wallboard with the utility knife. You are cutting the hole in the wall in order to install a wood cross piece, to which the wall mount sink hanger will be screwed or bolted. The cut-out section of wallboard will be put back in place after, so cut carefully.

5. Measure the distance between the two studs and cut a piece of two-by-six board. Slide it through the hole in the wall and toenail each end of the wood to the adjoining stud using 3 1/2-inch common nails.

6. Butter the edges of the cut-out section of wall board with a putty knife and press it back into the opening in the wall. Stop pushing when the face of the wallboard section is even with the surrounding wall.

7. Use a wide putty knife to apply drywall compound over the seams. Press drywall tape into the compound and smooth with the putty knife. Allow to dry thoroughly. Putty again a second and third time until the patch is smooth, even and unnoticeable.

8. Lay the sink face down on the floor. Insert the hanger into the back of the sink. Measure down from the top of the sink to the bottom of the hanger. Take that measurement and measure down from the 30-inch high mark on the wall and make another mark.

9. Set the bottom, horizontal edge of the sink hanger on the mark you just made. Place a level on top of the sink hanger to check for level. Mark the screw holes in the hanger on the wall.

10. Drill and screw the hanger to the wall and the two-by-six cross piece behind the wallboard per manufacturer's instructions. Pick up the sink, set its back against the wall and slide it down onto the wall mount hanger.

Tips & Warnings

• If you intend to tile the walls of the bathroom, put the cross board in and close up the wall. Then tile and then mount the hanger on the wall. Drilling through tile to make the holes for the hanger requires a special masonry bit.

• When you first slide the sink down on to the hanger wait a little bit before letting go to make sure the sink is properly seated on the hanger. You don't want the sink to suddenly let go and fall to the floor where it might break or crack or worse, land on your foot.

References

• Home Tips: How to Install a Wall-Mounted Sink