You have removed the old tile flooring and swapped out the shower head. To complete the bathroom makeover, you will need to know how to remove a bathroom vanity without damaging the walls and floors. While taking it out does require some TLC, you can learn how in just eight steps and only two hours of your time.
Prepping to Remove a Bathroom Vanity
Luckily, this project does not require a full bathroom demolition. Removing a bathroom vanity can be easy if you follow straightforward instructions and work gently around more vulnerable items, like the mirror. There are a few extra steps you can take ahead of time to make the process go as smoothly as possible.
Locate the Water Shut-Off Valve
Before starting, find the water shut-off valve so you can turn off the water supply before and after the project. Locate the water supply valves to the sink; you may want to shut off the water entirely if you are remodeling the bathroom.
Cover Other Fixtures
You do not want a tile or piece of countertop to come loose and damage the nearby toilet or tub during the vanity removal, so take some precautions to protect nearby objects. Place a sheet of plywood over the tub if it is close to the vanity, and cover nearby objects with plastic sheeting for more protection.
Check the Vanity
You might find that your vanity is secured to the wall, making removing it more difficult. If this is the case, you may need to hire a bathroom vanity installer for assistance with cutting the vanity into smaller pieces for removal.
Shut Off the Water Supply
There are two methods to shut off the water: turning off the valve in the cabinet beneath the sink or shutting off the main water valve to the house.
If you shut off the water at the sink, turn the hot and cold water valves clockwise until they cannot turn anymore. You can do this by hand, but if the valves are too difficult to turn, use an adjustable wrench. Turn on the sink faucet to release any remaining water.
Disconnect the Water Supply Plumbing
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Place a towel and a bucket beneath the pipes to collect any water that may release after you disconnect the plumbing. Tubes or water supply lines connect the water valves to the faucet. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the water supply lines from the valves.
Turn the compression nut on the supply tube counterclockwise until the tube can come free from the valve. Watch for leaks. If the valve leaks water and doesn’t stop, shut the home’s main water supply off (if you haven’t already).
Consider discarding the old water supply lines and replacing the tubes and fixture shut-off valves with new ones, as they only last about 5 to 10 years.
Remove the Drain Trap
The drain trap, also called the P trap, is the large pipe you see any time you get into the under-sink cabinet for extra toilet paper or shampoo. It has an S- or U-shape. Place a bucket and towel beneath the drain trap.
Use your hands, or channel locks for metal pipes, to turn the slip nuts on the sink tailpiece and the end of the drain trap connected to the wall counterclockwise. Slide the slip nuts away.
Gently pull the drain trap piece away from the wall and toward you. Water will release, so have the bucket handy. Stuff a cloth into the end of the pipe in the wall to trap unpleasant odors. Remove the drain trap, and turn it over above the bucket to dump excess water.
Remove the Mirror
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For mirrors glued to the wall you plan on keeping, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you should remove the mirror, or it could break during the vanity cabinet removal.
You don’t want the mirror to fall and break, so ask a friend to help steady the mirror as you use a screw gun to remove screws that attach the mirror to the wall. Gently remove the mirror from the wall with your friend’s help, as it may be heavy. Place it on a moving blanket or plastic sheet in another room.
Cut the Caulk Joints
With a utility knife, start cutting the caulk or sealant. You’ll find caulking along the edges of the vanity countertop where it meets the wall, along the cabinet sides that meet the wall, and on the edges between the countertop and the cabinet.
Remove the Vanity Top
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After cutting the caulk, the vanity is ready for removal. Have an extra set of hands in the room to help you lift and carry the vanity top away.
Look for any clips connecting the countertop to the cabinet, and use a screwdriver to remove the screws and clips. Take a putty knife and wedge it gently between the top of the vanity and the cabinet to loosen the vanity top. Work around the edges of the vanity top with a pry bar to fully disconnect the top of the vanity from the cabinet. Lift the vanity top away from the base.
Remove the Vanity Cabinet
Before you start pulling at the cabinet, look along the back edges and bottom of the vanity base. This will help you determine whether the cabinet is attached to the wall or floor.
Use a screwdriver to remove screws attaching the base to the wall or floor. For nails, you’ll need a pry bar. Place a wood block between the pry bar and the wall to prevent damage to the drywall.
Once you remove all the screws or nails, pull the cabinet carefully away from the wall. Pull straight back and toward you, and keep any plumbing holes aligned with the valves to avoid accidentally turning them on.
Clean and Prep for a New Vanity
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You have successfully removed the old vanity, and it is almost time to install a new bathroom vanity—and maybe even install a new bathroom sink. But your bathroom is probably messy after pulling out the old mirror and base, so you will need to clean up before installation.
Use a putty knife to scrape away excess caulk on the walls. Patch holes or drywall damage with spackling paste and a putty knife, and repaint the wall as needed.
DIY Bathroom Vanity Removal vs. Hiring a Pro
As long as you are comfortable shutting off the water supply and disconnecting the plumbing to the sink, bathroom vanity removal is a relatively simple DIY job. You will need to take the time to cut the caulk lines properly to make bathroom vanity removal easier and you may also want to remove the bathroom sink before removing the vanity top. Keep in mind that if you are inexperienced with home improvement projects, this may take longer than you think.
Hiring a pro can make the process go more smoothly. While their labor comes at a cost, they may be more efficient and get the bathroom back in working condition faster. If you are uncomfortable working with plumbing or do not have someone to help you with the heavy lifting, hiring a pro may be the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pros typically screw vanities into the wall with a mounting strip aligned over wall studs. They may also screw the base into the floor through nailing blocks or nail the base into the wall. However, pros sometimes glue the vanity mirror onto the wall to keep it from falling.
You can replace just the top of a bathroom vanity, which you may choose to do if you love the look of your vintage bathroom cabinets, but the countertops just aren’t your style. Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to detach a vanity top from the base for replacement. Although this is easy, shut off the water to avoid a leak. Replacing just the vanity top costs around $400 to $4,300.
Bathroom vanity installation costs $300 to $3,800. The cost depends primarily on the vanity you choose. You can find pre-made vanities for $300 to $400 or splurge on a custom design for upward of $3,800. Aside from these material costs, you’ll pay an additional $500 to $2,800 for professional installation.
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.
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