Building Your Own Home For Dummies
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When you’re going to install a sink in an existing bathroom, you have to remove the drywall in the area behind the sink to add blocking to provide support. You have to open the wall to expose at least two studs, neither of which can be located directly behind the sink. If a wall stud happens to be centered directly behind the sink, you need to open the wall to three studs — the one behind the sink and the studs on either side of it. You have to support both ends of the blocking with a stud.

Follow these steps to provide the necessary wall support:

  1. Cut a 2 x 4 into two 36-inch pieces.

  2. Cut these two boards lengthwise to a 2 3/4-inch width.

    Wall-hung sinks can be customized to the user’s height. It’s a nice way to personalize a bathroom for someone who’s particularly tall or short. A sink mounted on the wall is also ideal for a person in a wheelchair because the sink has access underneath it; however, be sure to slip an insulated cover over the trap so that the pipe (heated by hot water passing through) doesn’t burn the person’s legs. A wall-mounted sink also takes up less space in a small room than a traditional vanity with sink.

  3. In each board, cut a notch that’s 1 1⁄2 inches deep and 9 1⁄4 inches high.

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    Position the notches 23 7⁄8 inches from the end of the board.

  4. Nail or screw the boards to the studs.

    When installing a pedestal sink, you also need to shore up the walls.

  5. Cut a piece of 2 x 10 to fit between the notches and studs.

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    If the 2 x 10 spans a center stud, you must notch the stud to accept the board.

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