Essentials of Plumbing Lesson

INSTALLING WALL-HUNG LAVATORIES

To install a wall-hung lavatory, you need a mounting board placed between the studs, a mounting bracket to support the lavatory, and the manufacturer’s rough-in specifications for the lavatory. You must set the lavatory in place on the mounting bracket. To obtain the measurements for installing the mounting board, the mounting bracket, and the lavatory, always look over the manufacturer’s rough-in specifications (see Figure 3). NOTE: If manufacturer’s specifications are not available, you should check the set of construction drawings and/or check with your supervisor.

FIGURE 3. MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS
FIGURE 3. MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS

Installing the mounting board. Use the following steps to install the mounting board (see Figure 4).

If the wall is finished, cut out a section so that the two adjoining wall studs can be measured and marked for notches. If the wall is not finished, measure and mark the location of each notch to be cut into each wall stud (see Figure 4-A).

Cut out the notch on each wall stud to the same width and depth as the mounting board to be installed (see Figure 4-B).

Place and nail mounting board to wall studs. Be sure that the board is even with the edge of the wall studs facing you (see Figure 4-C).

FIGURE 4. METHOD OF INSTALLING MOUNTING BOARD

NOTES:

If wall studs are 2 inches by 4 inches, use 1-inch lumber for mounting board. If wall studs are 2 inches by 6 inches, use 2-inch lumber for mounting board.
If a finished wall section was cut out, it must be replaced after the mounting board is installed.

Installing the mounting bracket. Use the lavatory's rough-in dimensions to install the mounting bracket. Make sure that the bracket is placed at the right height from floor, and level the bracket with a carpenter's level. Attach the bracket with screw (see Figure 5).

FIGURE 5. INSTALLATION OF MOUNTING BRACKET

Setting the lavatory on the mounting bracket. Place the lavatory on the mounting bracket by pushing it down gently but firmly as far as it can go. Then check the level of the lavatory with a carpenter’s level. Make sure it is level (see Figure 6).

FIGURE 6. PLACEMENT OF LAVATORY MOUNTING BRACKET