Changing Faucet With Pedestal Sink

[MissPeach]

I have a pedestal sink in the guest bathroom and wanted to change out the faucet since it was old, ugly, and corroding. I thought this would be an easy DIY but it's proving to be a lot of work.

I managed to get the old faucet off but am having issues with the drain. I got the pull mechanism off but I can't get out the drain tube that fits in the sink. It needs to be pulled from under/behind the sink. The plan was to replace it with a pop up drain that came with the new faucet.

On YouTube the videos I have found either say to remove the pipe the drain is connected to which connects to the wall or remove the sink. I would prefer to remove the pipe and reattach it but it's plastic and appears to be glued - not the screw on ones I find on YouTube. The sink is attached by some sort of calk/adhesive to the wall as well as with some screws/hardware. I'm concerned there may be drywall damage trying to remove it from the wall.

What's the best way to proceed forward? Any suggestions?

[moneypitfeeder]

Can you post a pic of the drain pipe to the wall? That would be helpful to give you proper suggestions. If you do have to remove the sink, carefully cut the caulk with a utility knife and when unbolted, it should come away fairly cleanly. Then you can use a plastic scraper to remove the rest of the old caulk to prep it for reinstallation.

[BudgetSlasher]

Pictures would be helpful.

It sounds like you might be suffering from someone doing a "functional" install without thinking about the next guy ... in this case you.

You might be a candidate for cut it into pieces, remove it in sections, and replace it with a properly installed setup.

[MissPeach]

Here's some pictures. I believe the original job was done by the builder in the late 1990s as everyone here seems to have the same faucet and sink in this bathroom around here.

I was able to get the screw part that connects at the sink unscrewed off so the only thing keeping the silver drain pipe in there is gravity. I need to get the silver pipe out from behind. It had been connected to a plug too but I got that off. Because the pipe at this connection is larger I can't use pliers to grab it from the sink drain. There is a little give in the plastic pipe but I need about another inch to get it out. The black plastic pipe is glued together rather than screwed together.

As part of this I also changed out the water shut off valves to the wall already.

Would it be better to go in from the bottom piping (and maybe redo the connection to the wall) or remove the sink? I have basic tools (wrenches, sockets, pliers, etc.) but not many plumbing specific ones. Would there be anything special I might need?

[BudgetSlasher]

Based on those pictures here is what I would do.

Cut off the ABS (black pipe) back to the near the wall; drain pipes here are white/pvc, but a hack saw should work fine for ABS as well. Then I would remove everything that is currently there. Then I would glue on a male threaded fitting at the wall, with any decorative flange you may want (note: this may require a little pre-planning of where to cut). Finally, I would get a new set of the silver pipe (usually chrome plated brass) that includes the trap and friction fit (screw fitting) in into the wall and into the bottom of the sink.

Alternatively, and depending on the length of the silver piece you *might* be able to remove the drain/stopped for the sink and lift the pipe enough to slip it out by sliding it next to the ABS. But to me it looks like the glued everything up, slipped in the silver piece and dropped the sink on top of it.

Seems like a classic case of "it is the next guy's problem." Someone with loads more experience might contradict me on how (in which case follow their instructions and I too will learn something), but do it right and be nice to the next kind ... because in all likelihood it will be future you. 

[Sibley]

I am NOT a plumber, but I have had to deal with some crazy plumbing.

That white ring - if you unscrew it, does it disconnect the black pipe from the silver above? If so, that solves the sink side of the problem.

For the drain into the wall, I wonder if you'd be able to just screw the new pipe into it? Basically, just leave the crazy plumbing for the next person. Otherwise, my crazy pipe untwisted from the pipe in the wall, and I was able to just replace everything from the wall out.

Of course, I put the p trap on backwards and couldn't figure out why it was leaking, so take this with a grain of salt.

[zolotiyeruki]

I have a suggestion!

Your drain looks like it was inserted into the sink from above, and the large brass nut (which you've loosened) cinches the drain down fully.  The seal is formed with plumber's putty, which also creates a weak mechanical bond.  What this means is that you ought to be able to work the top part of the drain loose, and push it upwards through the sink.  That'll get it all the way out, and you'll have all the room you need.

Something like this video clip: https://youtu.be/Ls3HGF-xs9I?t=71

[sonofsven]

Leave the sink in place!
Remove the black pipe. Usually you can unscrew from the trap adapter (this is the joint right at the wall).
If this is glued then cut it a few inches from the wall.
When it's time to re do the drain you can re use what you have and use a coupler at the cut, or cut the pipe just far enough out from the wall and then glue a new trap adapter there (with 1 1/4" threads to match the size drain for the standard sink drain of your new pop up).
Then route the outflow from the p trap here and secure with a washer and nut.
Plastic drains are easier to work but chrome plated looks nicer.

Edited to add: take the parts with you when buying supplies so you get the right size!

[MissPeach]

I am NOT a plumber, but I have had to deal with some crazy plumbing.

That white ring - if you unscrew it, does it disconnect the black pipe from the silver above? If so, that solves the sink side of the problem.

Attaching another pic from the sink bowl.

The white ring was already unscrewed. The drain pipe is just laying in the sink right into that black pipe now ready to drop down to the back of the sink but there isn't enough give in the black pipe to get it out from the back. With it being glued it turned out way more that I had anticipated.

It sounds like the consensus is to change out the black pipe. If I do that, then it sounds like I cut the black pipe and then glue a new part with a screw connector so that next time it's just unscrewing the pipe. Right?

[Model96]

I have to disagree with cutting the black pipe for a number of reasons.....I would only do it as a very last resort.

If you cut the black pipe near the wall you need to be confident you end up with a leak free result...will your glue or new fittings be compatible with the old? Will there be enough old pipe hanging out of the wall to work with?

You can also cut the old part that you want to remove, and create room without disturbing the sink or the black trap pipe. Then all you need to buy is parts to adapt the new waste to the trap if necessary..

[BudgetSlasher]

I have to disagree with cutting the black pipe for a number of reasons.....I would only do it as a very last resort.

If you cut the black pipe near the wall you need to be confident you end up with a leak free result...will your glue or new fittings be compatible with the old? Will there be enough old pipe hanging out of the wall to work with?

You can also cut the old part that you want to remove, and create room without disturbing the sink or the black trap pipe. Then all you need to buy is parts to adapt the new waste to the trap if necessary..

I've never seen the house PVC(white) or ABS (black as in this case) made into the trap outside of a utility room/basement/garage. I think black is always ABS, but to confirm the material is probably written on the side, PVC is the dominant drain/waste/vent pipe here and it says PVC every foot or so. As for compatibility, there is pipe cement specific to PVC (used with primer, which is either clear or purple) ABS (without primer) and PVC to ABS (green, code approved for whole house system not individual fixtures).

I find gluing pipe one of the simplest and most reliable plumbing tasks/skills.

Also the correct replacement part is basically the same part that is being removed. If the old part cannot be removed without cutting (the old part) I do not see a way that the same part can be installed in the same place.

[Model96]

I have to disagree with cutting the black pipe for a number of reasons.....I would only do it as a very last resort.

If you cut the black pipe near the wall you need to be confident you end up with a leak free result...will your glue or new fittings be compatible with the old? Will there be enough old pipe hanging out of the wall to work with?

You can also cut the old part that you want to remove, and create room without disturbing the sink or the black trap pipe. Then all you need to buy is parts to adapt the new waste to the trap if necessary..

I've never seen the house PVC(white) or ABS (black as in this case) made into the trap outside of a utility room/basement/garage. I think black is always ABS, but to confirm the material is probably written on the side, PVC is the dominant drain/waste/vent pipe here and it says PVC every foot or so. As for compatibility, there is pipe cement specific to PVC (used with primer, which is either clear or purple) ABS (without primer) and PVC to ABS (green, code approved for whole house system not individual fixtures).

I find gluing pipe one of the simplest and most reliable plumbing tasks/skills.

Also the correct replacement part is basically the same part that is being removed. If the old part cannot be removed without cutting (the old part) I do not see a way that the same part can be installed in the same place.

Cutting the p-trap at the wall leaves less room for a mistake, and that's why I don't recommend that course of action to someone who may not be as experienced.
Neither of us has seen the new waste, and I assumed the new one would be a top down install and maybe an adapter to screw on to the black trap like most modern ones I have seen. It may also be feasible to cut the black pipe just under the sink, and adapt the new waste onto that verticle bit of black pipe. Hard to tell without seeing the new waste and comparing actual pipe dimensions.
I'm sure MissPeach knows what is the best course of action after all the suggestions are considered :)

[BudgetSlasher]

I have to disagree with cutting the black pipe for a number of reasons.....I would only do it as a very last resort.

If you cut the black pipe near the wall you need to be confident you end up with a leak free result...will your glue or new fittings be compatible with the old? Will there be enough old pipe hanging out of the wall to work with?

You can also cut the old part that you want to remove, and create room without disturbing the sink or the black trap pipe. Then all you need to buy is parts to adapt the new waste to the trap if necessary..

I've never seen the house PVC(white) or ABS (black as in this case) made into the trap outside of a utility room/basement/garage. I think black is always ABS, but to confirm the material is probably written on the side, PVC is the dominant drain/waste/vent pipe here and it says PVC every foot or so. As for compatibility, there is pipe cement specific to PVC (used with primer, which is either clear or purple) ABS (without primer) and PVC to ABS (green, code approved for whole house system not individual fixtures).

I find gluing pipe one of the simplest and most reliable plumbing tasks/skills.

Also the correct replacement part is basically the same part that is being removed. If the old part cannot be removed without cutting (the old part) I do not see a way that the same part can be installed in the same place.

Cutting the p-trap at the wall leaves less room for a mistake, and that's why I don't recommend that course of action to someone who may not be as experienced.
Neither of us has seen the new waste, and I assumed the new one would be a top down install and maybe an adapter to screw on to the black trap like most modern ones I have seen. It may also be feasible to cut the black pipe just under the sink, and adapt the new waste onto that verticle bit of black pipe. Hard to tell without seeing the new waste and comparing actual pipe dimensions.
I'm sure MissPeach knows what is the best course of action after all the suggestions are considered :)

Of course.

I am agurging for what I think the best practice would be, but "better is the enemy of good [enough]" MissPeach should do anything she is uncomfortable undertaking. Ultimately better than it is an improvement.

I still hold that gluing pipe is something that anyone can do and you are correct if they are not comfortable with it they should not do it.