How to Move a Vanity to a Different Wall

Loosening the Vanity

• Most vanities are screwed onto the wall through the back of the vanity, directly into the wall studs. The first step is removing these screws to loosen the vanity. However, if there is a tile backsplash installed, you need to first remove the tile from the wall to loosen the top edge of the vanity. Save the tile if you wish to use it on the vanity after it has been repositioned. Clean off any mortar or adhesive from the back of the tile using a putty knife. Turn off the water main to the house, then disconnect all the plumbing to the sink. If possible, salvage and save the plumbing connectors, or keep track of them to use as reference when purchasing new plumbing attachments.

Cutting Loose and Prying Out

• Remove any molding or toe-kick baseboards with a hammer and pry-bar. Check the entire perimeter of the vanity as it probably will have been caulked along the edges against the wall and floor. Cut these caulking joints free with a utility knife. From there, work your way behind one edge of the vanity with a pry-bar and begin prying the vanity out of place. If it hasn’t been glued, it should tilt back from the wall (top first), but you might need to use the pry bar to work it loose from the floor if it has been glued down in sections. Work methodically to avoid damaging the vanity. For best results, have at least one or two people working with you.

Plumbing

• Once the vanity has been removed from the wall, position it where you want it on the new wall. Use all the same cutouts for the hot and cold water inserts as well as the drain pipe and mark their position on the wall with a pencil through the holes. Move the vanity out of the way and cut out the drywall. From here, run new plumbing to the new position. This is best done by simply running new plumbing pipes directly from the old position, extending to the new location. Use the same style and size of pipes and follow the same layout that was used for the initial plumbing.

Installation

• After you have finished adding the new plumbing pipes (if required) to extend to the new vanity location, re-install the vanity on the new wall. Reverse the removal process. Use a level and wood shims (if necessary) to level the vanity side to side and front to back. Use a stud finder to locate studs in the wall, then mount the back wall of the vanity to the studs with screws and a drill. Caulk all of the seams where the vanity meets the wall. Install the tile on the backsplash (if required). Add the baseboard/toe-kicks to the base of the unit. Reconnect the water lines and drain pipe to the new plumbing fixtures, then turn on the water.

Considerations

• Standalone vanities are easy to move, as there is no plumbing involved and it is merely a matter of removing the vanity from one wall and repositioning it and attaching it to the new one. If you have to add extra plumbing, it is recommended that you work with a licensed professional if the move to a new wall involves adding new plumbing to a room that you do not want to demolish during the process. Running new pipes without removing all of the drywall or flooring requires access to the crawlspace and a working knowledge of all the tools and experience of a professional plumber for the best results. Although any DIYer with access to the tools can accomplish this task, if you want to avoid costly remodeling and demolition to the room it’s best to work with a professional on the plumbing aspect. When moving the vanity, work slowly so you avoid breaking the top surface.