Servicing a Pedestal Sink


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Old 04-04-16, 04:26 PM
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Servicing a Pedestal Sink

I saw one internet vid in which the tech just slid the pedestal out, exposing the tailpiece, trap and waste arm. This certainly makes it easy, but I would be afraid of the sink breaking if only held by the wall screws. Is it acceptable to let a pedestal sink just hang from the wall?
 
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Old 04-04-16, 04:59 PM
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Actually in most cases the pedestal is just decoration. The sink is hung from the wall just like any wall hung sink. The sink is slipped onto a bracket secured to framing members (often a horizontal 2x8 between the studs under the Sheetrock). The screws just keep it from being lifted off the bracket.

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Old 04-04-16, 05:19 PM
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Thanks Ray

This particular sink is 1981 and held by 2 lag screws thru the china with fender washers. Since china has no tensile strength, I was afraid of it snapping off the wall.
 
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Old 04-04-16, 06:20 PM
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Maybe someone installed it wrong.
 
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Old 04-04-16, 08:35 PM
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Whether the sink is held with a bracket as Ray showed, or it's screwed directly into the wall with screws and fender washers, the pedestal is still a decorative cover.

The screws with fender washers will support the sink, and the sink will not break.

The only time you need to be careful with the screws is when installing, do not over tighten. Snugged up is good and torqueing down will risk breaking the china.
 
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Old 04-05-16, 09:08 AM
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I'm always learning something new here. I didn't know the pedestal was just decorative. Last week I was checking some out at a Big Box and was surprised that several were enclosed in the back up to about 12". That manufacturer didn't consider those of us who have supply and drain coming up from the floor.
 
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Old 04-05-16, 09:16 AM
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I've only installed one pedestal sink [in my half bath] While the bowl is secured to the wall it also rests on top of the pedestal which has 2 screws securing it to the floor. Is that not an acceptable way to install one? It works fine and feels secure.
 
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Old 04-05-16, 10:02 AM
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It doesn't hurt to secure the pedestal to the floor. It's also OK to have the sink rest on the pedestal.

However the sink should always be mounted so that it needs no additional support from a pedestal.
The pedestal is optional.
 
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Old 04-05-16, 10:55 AM
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I'm not convinced my pedestal bowl would hang on the wall all by itself but I do believe it will be ok.
Thanks for the explanation.
 
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Old 04-05-16, 11:30 AM
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Oh, come on, Mark - take out the pedestal and let us know what happens
 
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Old 04-05-16, 01:05 PM
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Hey, doing that 1/2 bath was a bigger job than I thought it was going to be - I'm not about to start over!
 
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Old 04-06-16, 09:46 AM
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Thanks for all the comments

But I am still spooked by it hanging by only two fender washers. If it were a wide bracket that spreads the load I would like it a lot better. I may not have to pull the pedestal anyhow. I had one of those pesky tiny tiny drips between the trap and waste arm. It seemed stop with a final over-tighten so I am giving it a few days before re-caulking everything back in place.
 
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Old 04-06-16, 09:55 AM
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Use Teflon paste on the leaking joints, it works wonders.

Ensure all parts are completely dry. Smear the paste on the mating surfaces of the trap to arm connection, not the threads.
For the wall connection: Undo the nut and slide the compression washer away from the wall. Apply the paste around the pipe where the slip tube washer will sit. Reassemble.
Over tightening will usually just lead to more leaks.
 
 

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