Step 6: Attach the trap

attaching the trap of a pedestal sink
Photo: David Carmack
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Keeping the pedestal and basin together, move them away from the wall. Have a helper hold the sink steady so it doesn't tip over.

Test-fit the P-trap and elbow assembly to the PVC waste pipe, and measure the distance from the floor to the top of the trap's open vertical end. Mark the same distance up from the floor on the tailpiece of the pop-up waste assembly.

Remove the elbow and place the P-trap's slip-nut and washer over the pop-up waste's tailpiece. Cover the P-trap's threads with pipe dope or plumber's tape and slide the trap up to the mark you just made on the tailpiece. Thread the nut on to the trap by hand.

Tighten the nut with a wrench or water-pump pliers, taking care not to mar the chrome finish.

Drill into the wall at the lag screw locations marked in step 5.

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    Tools List

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    • hack saw
      Hacksaw,
      for cutting PVC and thick brass pipe
    • propane torch
      Propane torch,
      for soldering copper tubing joints
    • two-foot level
      1-foot level,
      for leveling basin
    • tongue-and-groove pliers
      Water-pump pliers,
      for gently tightening large nuts on drain pipes
    • crescent ratchet wrench
      Crescent wrench,
      for tightening small nuts on compression fittings
    • compact tubing cutter
      Compact tubing cutter,
      for cutting copper tubing in tight locations
    • tubing cutter
      Tubing cutter with reaming blade,
      for faster cutting on bigger, accessible tubing
    • wire brush
      Wire brush,
      for cleaning inside of copper tubing before soldering
    • basin wrench
      Basin wrench,
      for tightening the nuts on faucet valves and spouts in the virtually inaccessible regions under the sink's basin
    • socket wrench
      Socket wrench,
      for driving lag screw
    • drill
      Drill and bit,
      for drilling holes for lag screws
    • flathead screwdriver
      Slotted screwdriver,
      for attaching lift rod to actuator arm
    • 16-foot tape measure
      Tape measure

    Shopping List

    Close
    1. PEDESTAL SINK

    2. LEAD-FREE SOLDER

    3. PVC CLEANER AND SOLVENT

    for joining PVC pipe



    4. FLUX

    acidic paste applied to copper before soldering



    5. FINE-GRIT SANDPAPER ROLL

    for polishing the outside of copper tubing before soldering



    6. FENDER WASHERS AND 2 1/2-INCH LAG SCREWS, TWO EACH

    for attaching sink basin to wall) Damp cloth (for cleaning and wiping up freshly soldered joints



    7. SPRAY WATER BOTTLE

    for preventing fires that may be ignited while soldering



    8. BUCKET

    for collecting water drips



    9. PIPE DOPE

    Teflon-based paste for sealing pipe threads



    10. PLUMBER'S PUTTY

    for sealing drain and faucet flanges against the sink