Installing a pedestal sink takes some precautions. They usually come in two pieces, one is the actual sink, and the other is the support base. They have small holes under the sink where you can hold the sink to the lumber in the wall by using screws or bolts and washers. It is recommended that you open the wall and install a piece of lumber as backing. The lumber is secured to the wall studs and covered with a drywall patch. When you push the pedestal sink against the wall, you can screw it to the lumber behind the drywall.
Although it isn’t the preferred way of securing the sink to the wall, you can use adhesive caulking as well. I had a house where the builder used adhesive caulk and it was very solid.
The key is to get the sink balanced on the base and against the wall. You can apply a liberal bead of adhesive caulking at the back perimeter of the sink and push it against the wall. You could also use some wall anchors underneath the sink for additional holding power. Also add some adhesive to the area where the sink meets the base. The concern obviously is since the sink juts out from the wall, if someone hit it or if a child decided to do pull-ups on it, it may fall down. That’s why securing the sink into lumber is a safe bet. But truthfully, I’ve had to remove some pedestal sinks from the wall and they are so secure that sometimes the choice is to either pull the drywall off of the wall, or break the sink into pieces.
Removing a Pedestal Sink That is Glued to the Drywall
Removing a pedestal sink is normally pretty easy unless someone has used construction adhesive or adhesive caulking to make sure it doesn’t move. Then it becomes challenging. This is one of those cases where you hope for the best, but expect the worst.
A pedestal sink sits on a base. Under the sink you will see a couple of holes that allow the installer to secure fasteners into the wall. In most cases, the sink is held to the wall at these locations and then caulked around the perimeter.
When someone has used adhesive, the sink is very difficult to remove without damaging the drywall. So expect it. You can try using a long blade to cut through the adhesive around the perimeter. What you will find is that the adhesive will be extremely hard and difficult to cut through. If you are lucky enough to be able to cut through it, cut the bottom of the sink first and then cut through the top as you support the weight of the sink.
You want to avoid having the sink pull the paper from the drywall and peel away the texture. Even if you are able to cut through the adhesive, you will have a hard bead of adhesive still stuck to the wall. You can use a sharp putty knife to remove most of it from the wall, but you will be faced with either repairing the drywall or using a larger sink to cover the damage.
In some cases, I have hit the sink to break it apart. I don’t recommend it, but as a last resort you may be faced with it. Regardless of how the sink comes off of the wall, be prepared for some drywall repair.