How to install a vanity unit

Place a bowl under the siphon then unscrew and remove it.

If the water pipes under the washbasin are fitted with shut-off valves, close them. Unscrew the hoses from the pipes using an adjustable wrench and a pipe wrench.

Cut through the silicone sealant around the washbasin. Use a ratchet wrench to unscrew the fixing nuts underneath the washbasin.

Remove the washbasin. Remove the wall brackets.

For easy access, the top of your washbasin should be between 85cm and 92cm from the floor.

Once you’ve assembled the vanity unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions, get help to turn it upside down on the floor.

Screw the feet in firmly so that they support the weight of the unit. If the bathroom wall is reinforced or solid, it’s not essential to fit the feet.

Measure the total height of your new vanity unit, including cabinet, feet and washbasin.

From this measurement, deduct the distance between the top of the washbasin and the top of the cabinet, then deduct the distance between the top of the cabinet and the centreline of the wall fixing points.

Mark the resulting height on the wall then draw a horizontal line through it using a spirit level.

Next, find where the centre of your cabinet is going to lie along the line you’ve just drawn. Mark this point. Measure the horizontal distance between the two fixing points on the back of the cabinet. Divide this figure by two then mark this measurement on the wall to either side of the mid-point mark.

Use a spirit level to check that the cabinet is perfectly level. Adjust the wall brackets if necessary. Once the cabinet is correctly positioned, tighten the bracket fixing screws.

Complete the job by adjusting the cabinet feet to distribute the weight evenly.

First of all, fit the mixer. Fit the seal and screw in the threaded studs. Next screw on the water supply hoses. Fit the mixer in its seat in the washbasin.

Fit the mixer retaining rings to the threaded studs. Fit the rubber ring first and then the metal one.

Screw the lock-nuts onto the studs by hand. Use a tap wrench to turn them further but do not tighten yet.

Check that the mixer is properly aligned in the centre of the washbasin, then tighten the fixing nuts.

Fit the drain fitting to the washbasin, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Fit and tighten the ring-nut. Now fit the overflow pipe to the washbasin.

Connect the overflow pipe to the drain fitting. Screw the siphon into place under the drain fitting but do not tighten yet.

Install the washbasin on top of the cabinet. Apply a bead of silicone around the top of the cabinet before lowering the washbasin into place.

Your washbasin is now installed.

First, screw the hoses from your tap into your hot and cold water supply pipes. Take care to install the hot and cold supplies to the correct hose.

When you're connecting the waste you'll have your waste outlet that connects to the rest of your plumbing system, and the siphon outlet which connects your basin to the waste outlet.

You'll need to measure the size of these two pipes, if they're different, you'll need to fit an adapter. If your pipe connections are the same size, you can simply connect the siphon to the waste pipe.

Once you've connected your basin to the waste, turn the water supply back on at the mains and open the shut-off valves under the washbasin, if fitted.

Check that the hot and cold water connections are watertight. Tighten the lock-nuts again if necessary.

To check the drain connections, close the plug and fill the washbasin with cold water as far as the overflow. Check that the overflow pipe does not leak. Tighten the lock-rings if necessary.

Empty the washbasin. Check all the drain connections for leaks.

If you find a leak, dry the connections and tighten the siphon rings or apply a generous quantity of adhesive to the outside of the PVC pipe connections. Finally, complete the assembly of your vanity unit.