Reassemble Plumbing and Test for Leaks — Final Checks and Testing

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How to Install a Bathroom Sink and Faucet from Start to Finish · Step 5 of 5

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Once the clog is cleared, reassemble the drain plumbing. Ensure the pipe threads and conical washers are clean. Place the washers with the tapered side pointing into the pipe connection they are sealing. Reattach the P-trap and hand-tighten all the slip nuts securely. Wipe the connections dry. Finally, run hot water into both sinks for at least a minute and check underneath for any drips to ensure all connections are watertight.

Goal: Properly reassemble the drain pipes and confirm there are no leaks

An improperly seated or dirty washer is the most common cause of leaks after reassembly. Double-check their condition and orientation.

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Towel/Rag (brand: Generic, Tool Type: Cleaning tools, Cleaning Cloth Material: Cotton) — Wiping pipes dry before testing for leaks

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FAQs

How difficult is this bathroom sink and faucet installation for a beginner, and how much time should I set aside?

This project is categorized as 'beginner' difficulty, making it very approachable for DIYers. For a first-timer, plan to dedicate 4-6 hours from start to finish, including preparation and cleanup. Rushing can lead to mistakes, so allow extra time for unexpected issues.

What are the most critical safety steps I need to take before starting to remove the old sink and work on plumbing?

The absolute most critical step is to shut off the water supply to the sink, either at the shut-off valves under the sink or the main water supply to your house. Also, place a bucket and towels under the work area to catch any residual water, and consider wearing safety glasses when using tools or working with pipes.

Is a basin wrench, like the TEKTON WRN92004, truly necessary for this project, or can I use regular pliers?

While you might be able to manage with large channel-lock pliers in some cases, a basin wrench (e.g., TEKTON WRN92004) is highly recommended. It's specifically designed for reaching and loosening the difficult-to-access mounting nuts on faucets, especially in tight spaces, making the job significantly easier and faster.

What's the most common mistake beginners make when installing the drain assembly or sealing the sink, and how can I avoid it?

A common mistake is either not using enough plumber's putty (like Oatey 14 oz. Plumber's Putty) around the drain flange, or over-tightening plastic drain fittings, which can crack them. Ensure a generous, even ring of putty under the drain flange for a watertight seal, and hand-tighten plastic connections, then give a quarter-turn with pliers, being careful not to overtighten.

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and reverse the auger until it comes out there you go so we're going to tighten down all these pipes by hand we're going to put it back together just hand tighten them they don't need to be super ultra tight or anything I did want to show you one thing guys these washers these concave washers there's a certain way that they go down into the p-trap to create a watertight seal and concave side goes down into the pipe so make sure it looks that way not like this because it will not create a seal you'll know right away so the first thing that you do is put the slip nut up onto the pipe and then slide your washer onto the pipe as well you want the drain to go down into the p-trap as much as possible to slide that p-trap up then you want this section to be nice and flush right here if it's not it will definitely leave so again hand-tighten make sure that that washer is down in and the p-trap can tighten the nut again that's why these cabs are on here to help you hand tighten it and wipe everything off make it look nice and clean the last step is the test and make sure you don't have any drips or leaks underneath the sink and the way that you do that is run the water on both sides of your sink for probably about a minute or two on both sides I'm hoping there are no leaks if you do have a leak it's probably one of those washers that's miss misaligned so you'll have to fix as I shut off the water you'll have to fix that washer and the slip net so that's probably the culprit for any leak that's underneath the kitchen sink and I almost forgot one additional tip is this make sure there isn't any kind of dirt or buildup or hair that's on the washer or slip nut because that will prevent a watertight seal so it's a good idea to clean those slip nuts and washers well

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