Install a sink with no visible support
a template because I wanted to see if the sink itself was square and would fit nicely in the corner of her powder room.
Guess what? The old sink was about 1.5 inches out of square in just 30 inches. That’s a huge discrepancy. A rookie might have assumed the sink was square and been in for a surprise once the sink was lifted in place. I made a template of the sink using scrap cardboard and then padded out the wall studs to account for the out-ofsquare sink. After the drywall was installed the sink fit perfectly. All I had to do was squirt a small amount of caulking to seal the gap between the sink and the wall.
My daughter wanted the sink to float on the wall. I was able to locate a company online that sold these very heavy steel brackets that screw to the sides of wall studs. A quarter-inch thick steel plate extends out into the room that the sink can rest upon.
I had to install two of these, one extending out from each wall in the corner. The challenge was to make sure the brackets didn’t block the drain hole, didn’t extend too far out (and thus be visible) and didn’t touch one another. Believe me, this exercise took some planning.
If you do have a conflict where the brackets don’t fit perfectly, you may have to install an extra wall stud, move one or cut off a small amount of one bracket to resolve the issue. In any case, you’ll be able to figure it out. The quarter-inch thickness of the steel plate is a nonissue. Even sitting on the toilet looking at the sink, you can’t really see the steel and you wonder how in the world the sink is not crashing to the ground.
Before the sink is installed, apply multiple coats of the best clear stone sealer you can purchase. Local businesses that fabricate granite and stone countertops sell this product.
You need to seal the stone before anyone touches the sink because plumber’s putty, caulk and other materials may have ingredients that can soak into the stone and permanently discolor it. After all this hard work, it would be a shame for that to happen.
When sealing the sink, seal all surfaces. Seal the top, the basin, the inside of all drilled holes and even the underside and back surfaces. Follow the instructions on the sealer label to see how to apply multiple coats of sealer. You’ll never regret taking the time to do this. Remember, workmen almost always have dirty hands, and your sink may be one-of-akind. It’s not like you can go to the home center and get a replacement.
Be sure the steel brackets have been painted several times so there’s no chance the steel can rust. You don’t want rust stains bleeding through the natural stone.
Before you set the sink on the brackets, do a dry fit. Carefully place the sink to ensure it fits, it’s level and all is well. Once you’re satisfied, then you can squirt adhesive from a caulk tube onto the steel brackets and maybe a little bit on the back surfaces of the sink where it contacts the wall.
Place the sink on the brackets, slide it against the wall and put a sign on it DO NOT TOUCH so no one touches the sink until the adhesive dries.
You’ll love your new sink, and I’d love for you to send me a photo of the finished installation.