Your Guide to Installing that Bathroom Cabinet of Your Dreams

Hiring a professional to do a remodeling job isn’t always necessary. In fact, more and more homeowners are enjoying the benefits of a do-it-yourself project, and saving money in the process. And lets face it, with the economy facing another possible depression; saving money is a number one priority for most homeowners. Whether you’re looking to replace your old bathroom cabinet because it’s falling apart or you just want to replace it with the cabinet of your dreams, look no further than here.

The Time:

This project should take no more than a day plus 24 hours for drying time.

The Tools and Materials:

�· Level

�· Tape Measure

�· Pencil

�· Caulk Gun

�· Latex Caulk

�· Safety Goggles

�· Hammer

�· Stud Finder

�· Shims

�· Electric Drill/Screwdriver

Ã?· Plumber’s putty

Ã?· 3″ wood screws

�· Hole Saw

�· Utility Knife/Chisel

Before You Begin:

Be sure you shut off the water valve to the bathroom sink. You can easily do so underneath the bathroom sink. Make sure you have a bowl or bucket under the hoses to catch any remaining water once you disconnect the hoses. Once this is done, you can begin your new bathroom cabinet project.

The Steps:

Assess –Your first step to your dream cabinet is to remove the old one. To begin, you will need to look underneath of the old cabinet to find out how it is attached to the wall and floor. Generally most bathroom cabinets are attached using a rail that is screwed into the back or corners. You will then need to check to see how the sink’s base is attached to the cabinet’s countertop. Most sink bases are held in by a form of glue or caulk. Once you have assessed how the old cabinet is being held into place, you can then move onto the next step.

Remove -Your next step is to remove the sink from the bathroom cabinet. In order to do this, you will need to use a utility knife or hammer and chisel to gently pry the sink loose from the cabinet. Next, remove any caulking that is attached from the back of the cabinet to the wall. If the cabinet is attached to the wall with screws and a rail, remove those from the wall.

Measure -Now you are ready to install your new cabinet. You’ll want to start by measuring the cabinet’s height and width to insure of a proper fit. Also, measure the space where the cabinet will be installed to insure that the measurements are the same as your new dream cabinet’s measurements. You will then need to measure the exact locations of the water hoses and lines and copy them to the back of the cabinet.

Cut -Using a hole saw, cut holes that are at least a Ã?¼ inch larger than your hoses and lines on the back of your new cabinet. While you’re at it, take a look at your hoses and lines. Do they look old and corroded? If so, you may want to replace them.

Position -Next you will want to position the cabinet into place, but before you do, you will need to remove the cabinet’s doors and drawers to prevent accidental damage. Once that is done, slide the cabinet into place, making sure that the hoses and lines are positioned into the cut holes in the back of the cabinet. Assure that the cabinet is level. If not, slide the shims underneath the cabinet to level it into place.

Locate -Once the cabinet is level and into place, you will need to locate the wall stud and attach the cabinet to the wall using 3″ wood screws.

Trim -Remove any excess wood from the shims by trimming the edges with a utility knife.

Install -You will now need to install the faucet before putting the countertop in place. To do so, position the faucet into the predrilled holes and tighten the faucet using a wrench. Be careful not to over tighten the faucet since it can actually strip away the threads.

Apply -Spread a thin layer of silicone caulk around the end of the countertop and position it on the cabinet.

Reconnect -Reattach the plumbing and tighten all nuts using a wrench.

Check -Turn on the shut off valve and check for any leaks. If leaks are present, determine weather it’s a cracked pipe, which will need to be replaced or a simple gap which you can secure using a teflon tape or a small bead of caulk.

Finish -Apply a small amount of caulk around the cabinet’s sides where the cabinet meets the wall. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours.