Installing a new floor sink is a relatively simple operation. With a little talent and some DIY skills, you can proceed by avoiding calling the plumber. Also, save something on the costs related to the renovation of the bathroom. So here are our instructions for use: simple, fast, and effective. All you have to do is follow them.
Preparatory phase for installing a floor sink
The first thing to do:
- Take all the necessary measures.
- Therefore, write down the values relating to the new floor sink’s total width on a sheet and measure the fixing distance.
- Accurately evaluate the gap between the drain and the inflow.
- Do not forget to note the distance between the floor and the upper corner of the floor sink.
At this point, to avoid unpleasant hitches, make yourself safe by emptying the pipes and closing the general tap. It is also better to deactivate the corner valves that you will find immediately under the old floor sink for greater peace of mind.
Check that you have done everything correctly by opening and closing the taps several times. In these cases, it is always better not to flaunt too much safety.
Get all the tools
At this point, you must have all the tools in the house that you can use to disassemble the old floor sink and mount its brand new replacement. In particular, make sure you have sufficient doses of silicone, a parrot wrench, and one suitable for the nuts. You will find in correspondence with the taps.
Also essential are the pliers, hydraulic fittings, and the inevitable wrench. Finally, a trowel, a drill with a tile tip, a bucket, and some old rags may come in handy.
Remove the old floor sink
You are now ready to proceed. Start by disconnecting both the pipes and the drain. You will most likely need pliers and a wrench at this stage. Warning: As you proceed, you may notice small water leaks. Do not be alarmed: as long as it is not a large spill, everything is normal. Arm yourself with a bucket and rags and stem the problem as soon as possible.
At this point, unscrew the union nut between the floor sink and the drain. It is normally placed on the wall or floor. Finally, proceed by detaching the floor sink from the wall and removing the taps.
Do not exert too much force, but if anything, help with a spatula that can weaken any silicone residues used in the assembly phase. If instead of silicone you have used fixing screws, of course, you will have to remove them first and then take out the floor sink.
The second phase for the installation of the new floor sink
Not necessarily the old and the new floor sink will coincide in shape, size, and size. This means that before drilling the tiles, which may not be necessary, it will be good to make sure of the exact height to install the sanitary.
Once you are sure of the measurements, spread a thin layer of silicone on the back edge of the floor sink, then place the object in its ideal position. Immediately remove any glue spills.
If your floor sink is a countertop, apply the silicone to the lower part of the sanitary ware, leaving others to bear the weight. If the floor sink is to be mounted on a counter in hard material (stone or granite above all), it is better to drill using a diamond tip.
Fixing the new floor sink
Now, following the specific instructions of the purchased product, fix the floor sink with screws. Then mount the tap. For this operation, you may need some silicone and the mounting kit included in the package.
Then install the drain: the structure must first slide inside the floor sink and then be secured with a screw. Pay attention to the gaskets: if present, do not forget to insert them. Otherwise, replace them with hydraulic putty or even with silicone.
The final phase
At this point, the bulk of the work is now done. Before putting down the tools and singing victory, however, check some details. First, make sure that the water pipes are well installed, match the valves, and that there are no possible leaks.
Then connect the drain plug, seal all the joints and open the general water tap. Now you can try the floor sink. Any leaks could be due to the gaskets or fixings that are a little too loose.
Small useful tips
If you have read this guide, you are most likely not a professional plumber. We, therefore, allow ourselves to teach you other small and big tricks of the trade. First of all, always avoid tightening the valves too much: you risk breaking them.
Secondly, at least initially, check all the sensitive parts of the floor sink frequently and make sure that no leaks have occurred over time. During the first week after installation, you may find yourself needing to redefine all the fixings: don’t worry, it happens even to experts.
Do not use Teflon if your hoses are made of rubber or if the fittings are of the compression type. Finally, after installing the new floor sink, let the silicone dry for at least 24 hours.
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