Is it feasible to remove a countertop from an existing vanity in order to keep the vanity intact while replacing the sink?
Asked by Sinésio Oliveira 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
How hard is it to remove the countertop from the current vanity? I’m thinking about getting a new countertop for the sink, but I like the current vanity. Do you think it’s doable or worth the trouble?
You can either unscrew it from the bottom or try to carefully peel it off if it’s glued. Use a scraper to see if you can remove any glue from inside the cabinet and under the top. A multi tool can also be helpful.
Most likely just a few screws and a bit of silicone. Can’t wait to see the final outcome so Brian can appreciate your efforts 🤣
I’m guessing it’s sealed in with silicone – shouldn’t be too difficult
DIY tip: It’s super easy! Just shut off the water to the faucet, place a bucket under the sink, and take out the drain. Next, disconnect the hot and cold lines. If the top is screwed on, the screws are typically underneath in the corners. Sometimes they’re not glued down, just siliconed.
There’s a good chance the backsplashes are stuck to the wall, so be careful when removing them to avoid damaging the drywall too much. If you’re putting in new backsplash, any damage will be covered up.
It was actually pretty easy. I managed to do it in two bathrooms at home.
Ours was simply screwed in… just your basic builder grade. We’ve already made some updates though.
To what…
Hey, I really like that shelf! Can I ask where you got it?
I remember back before I started shopping on Amazon, I thought I had made a purchase there but couldn’t find it in my order history. However, if you search for “two tier bathroom wall shelf pipe” on Amazon, you’ll find plenty of similar options.
I attempted to remove my old one but learned the hard way that it was strongly glued with something like liquid nails. Usually, the top is screwed on or attached with caulk or a similar material so you can remove it if necessary. If it’s glued, just be careful and use a wide wedge to avoid damaging the wood.
It’s pretty straightforward. A lot of countertops are just stuck on with caulk. If it’s nailed down, a reciprocating saw can easily handle that.
Shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes, tops! 👍👍🍀
I’ve seen trends come and go over the years. What was popular 5, 10, or 15 years ago is now considered outdated. I’ve noticed many people questioning whether something is still “in style” or if it looks old-fashioned. My advice? Forget about what’s trendy now and just stick to your own style. This sink used to be all the rage a few years back, but now the owner wants it gone. I have shell sinks in my bathrooms that were trendy when the previous owners renovated. I might switch them out for plain sinks at some point, but then again, I might not live to see that day. Lol.
You seem to be making a lot of assumptions. She’s actually referring to the countertop, not the sink.
If you read the original post, she did talk about the sink too.
My daughter is 15 years old, and we recently moved into a new house. Not only is the design not to our taste, but it’s also not very practical. I wish my toddler could reach the sink to wash her hands without having to grow another foot taller.
I didn’t mean to imply that you should hang on to it. This used to be a popular style. Can you believe it was 15 years ago? Time sure does fly. Personally, I always thought they were really unattractive back then too. Haha.
It probably cost more money and effort to replace only the countertop. I’d suggest getting a new vanity with a sink already built-in
Hey Han Na, that was actually something I was curious about too. Thanks! I’m planning on getting a price estimate for a countertop/sink to see. I was really hoping to salvage the vanity instead of it ending up in a landfill.
The previous one had tile on top and the boards were simply screwed in underneath. I added some extra boards for support around the sink area on the new countertop, but it’s still just screwed in underneath.
Typically, all it takes is a little silicone under the countertop edges and a line of silicone along the back to secure it to the wall.
I’m dealing with a 7ft vanity too. Keep me posted on what you find out!
Why do people leave laughing reactions and make negative comments? The whole idea of this group is about doing things on your own, but it’s okay to seek advice sometimes.
When first opening the doors, make sure to look around and underneath to see if it’s secured to the cabinet. If not, gently loosen the sealant. It should be simple.
Paint it with Heirloom Traditions Paint!
Make sure there’s enough room for plumbing underneath if you’re installing a sink that sits into the counter instead of on top. It should be fine.
Take out the plumbing from the sink and turn off the water, check for any screws underneath the countertop (mine had blocks at each corner), and gently tap the countertop from underneath. If it comes off easily, you’ve saved money on a base unit. If it doesn’t, some people recommend replacing everything, but it’s worth a shot before making that decision.
Sure, could you please try to rephrase the original text first?
I used a thin putty knife to carefully loosen the top of my vanity before following the advice to gently hammer from the bottom. If your vanity is made of wood instead of particleboard, you have a higher likelihood of removing the top without damaging the cabinet.
This task is relatively easy to tackle, but whether it’s worth it is ultimately up to you. Start by disconnecting the plumbing and turning off the water supply. Look for screws underneath the counter (there may be blocks at each corner). Gently tap the countertop from beneath. If it comes off, you’ve saved on a base unit.
We recently removed ours and it was quite simple. We first unhooked the sink, which was a quick task. Then we removed the drawers, unscrewed it from below, and lifted it off.
Check out the dimensions first, then head over to your nearby granite or stone store and inquire about any leftover pieces!