View Full Version : Replacing bath vanity - shutoff valve issues
mommo912
Apr 8, 2010, 06:44 PM
I am replacing an old wall mounted sink in our small powder room with a vanity, but the plumbing lines come up from the floor. First, what is the best way to cut the bottom of the vanity without making it look awful?
Secondly, the shutoff valves are just a few inches from the floor, while the bottom of the vanity is 6 inches. I need these to be a little higher but I don't know how that can be done?
Any suggestions?
Thanks
KISS
Apr 8, 2010, 07:57 PM
Yep, challenge. Doable - sure.
But first. Lift the flange about mid way (tape in place) and take a pic perpendicular to this view. If you can pull up on the stop when you take the pic.
The stop looks like a single piece sweated real close to the floor.
The pic will show how much room you have to work with.
Any access from below?
Where I'm going with this is to unsweat the stops and make a template with 3 round holes to drill the vanity.
You will either use a one piece clambshell estucheon for each pipe as it passes through the vanity bottom.
If you really want it to look nice, you can sleave the openings with PVC and then caulk when your done.
You might want to replace the drain with PVC especially if you have access below.
But first, lets see what you have. Yes, they can be sweated close to the floor having the right tools and technique.
Meanwhile stick a rag in the drain while you have it open to prevent sewer gas from getting into the house.
KISS
Apr 8, 2010, 08:04 PM
Here is a pic of a fitting that I did ready to be soldered next to a wall.
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attachments/plumbing/6210d1203047797-angle-stop-repair-replace-opinions-p1000698-use-heat-shield-640-x-480.jpg
mommo912
Apr 8, 2010, 08:47 PM
There is access from below and I'll work on getting that pic
mommo912
Apr 8, 2010, 09:02 PM
Hope these pictures are right. Thanks for all your help!
KISS
Apr 8, 2010, 09:31 PM
That wasn't the angle I was looking for. Turn your camera 90 deg and shoot the other wall. The one that would be toward the side of the vanity and focus on the pipe.
I think you did OK.
Access from below would mean below the floor at the joists as if this was a floor above an unfinished basement.
Good news, I guess. The fist pic above looks threaded which likely means the angle stop is threaded. The pipe is chrome plated brass pipe. The second pic isn't as clear, but could be threaded as well. I'm not too sure about the second fitting. Threads? Copper? Brass? Galvanized? What part? Sweated?
Let's take the first pipe. ASSUMTION: Threaded at stop, pice of brass pipe, unknown female material (copper/brass/galvanized)?
With a pipe wrench, band wrench or non-mar plyers and a regular wrench, you can remove the stop. That should be a given.
Removing it at the bottom might take some heat. Hopefully it's a dogeared connection and solidly bolted. Could replace this with a suitable length of chrome plated brass pipe.
Another option is cut and thread using a thread die.
Add a coupling and go.
IDEAL option is remove the threaded pipe at the floor because if you do, you can grip it later to change the stop once it penetrates the bottom of the vanity.
Another question:
Do you have an easy drop from above?
Have you used pipe tape or dope before on pipe threads? Have you worked with pipe threads before?