Bathroom sink installation

bigdog · 08-22-2015, 09:57 PM

Going to do a bathroom sink installation DIY.

Would folks use silicon chalking under the porcelain sink base to countertop, or go old school and use plumber's putty?

Obviously, will use plumber's putty on drain/sink connection.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Bigdog

Resident 2B · 08-22-2015, 11:29 PM

I use silicone everywhere except for the drain. I am not a builder or a plumber, but I have done five bathroom remodels in the last 12 years.

Good luck and have fun with it.

R2B

Kamper · 08-23-2015, 08:01 AM

I'd use silicone where the vanity/counter meets the wall or cabinet because the putty has oils which are not good for wood and wallboard.

Teflon tape on threaded fittings.

Putty on the drains and to fill in any gaps where the tubes join up. You may not need putty at those joints but I had drips where the U-joints met up and I cured the problem with some putty 'worms.'

MAXUM · 08-23-2015, 10:12 AM

Calking around the sink base to the counter top to fill that gap is commonplace and should be done to prevent water from intruding under the sink.

With modern day plumbing there should be no reason to use any pipe dope (plumbers putty) on any of it, nor any Teflon tape, in some cases the directions explicitly say do not use it. The key is to dry fit everything and ensure it all lines up correctly, if it doesn't it will leak and putting putty on it is not a permanent or advisable solution even though it may initially work.

It's always best anyways to replace all the drain pipes from your existing "roughed in" house pipe to the sink. I mean the parts, plastic ones anyways, are probably 10 - 15 bucks. If you are not putting in a new faucet ensure the old drain assembly is in good shape if it is to be reused, especially the rubber gasket that seals the bottom of the drain to the actual sink base drain hole.

bigdog · 08-23-2015, 08:00 PM

Thanks to EVERYONE for their feedback, greatly appreicated !

BIGDOG

08-22-2015, 09:57 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,451 Thanks: 347 Thanked 123 Times in 97 Posts	Bathroom sink installation Going to do a bathroom sink installation DIY. Would folks use silicon chalking under the porcelain sink base to countertop, or go old school and use plumber's putty? Obviously, will use plumber's putty on drain/sink connection. Thoughts? Thanks, Bigdog

08-22-2015, 11:29 PM	#2
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 996 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	I use silicone everywhere except for the drain. I am not a builder or a plumber, but I have done five bathroom remodels in the last 12 years. Good luck and have fun with it. R2B

08-23-2015, 08:01 AM	#3
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	I'd use silicone where the vanity/counter meets the wall or cabinet because the putty has oils which are not good for wood and wallboard. Teflon tape on threaded fittings. Putty on the drains and to fill in any gaps where the tubes join up. You may not need putty at those joints but I had drips where the U-joints met up and I cured the problem with some putty 'worms.'

08-23-2015, 10:12 AM	#4
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	Calking around the sink base to the counter top to fill that gap is commonplace and should be done to prevent water from intruding under the sink. With modern day plumbing there should be no reason to use any pipe dope (plumbers putty) on any of it, nor any Teflon tape, in some cases the directions explicitly say do not use it. The key is to dry fit everything and ensure it all lines up correctly, if it doesn't it will leak and putting putty on it is not a permanent or advisable solution even though it may initially work. It's always best anyways to replace all the drain pipes from your existing "roughed in" house pipe to the sink. I mean the parts, plastic ones anyways, are probably 10 - 15 bucks. If you are not putting in a new faucet ensure the old drain assembly is in good shape if it is to be reused, especially the rubber gasket that seals the bottom of the drain to the actual sink base drain hole.

08-23-2015, 08:00 PM	#5
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,451 Thanks: 347 Thanked 123 Times in 97 Posts	Thanks to EVERYONE for their feedback, greatly appreicated ! BIGDOG