How to Install a Laundry Room Sink

Every laundry room needs the basics: a washer and dryer, venting, electrical wiring for both machines, drainage and bright lighting. Countertops, cabinets and supplementary storage can also make wash day easier.

A laundry room sink is also a great addition to your utility room, allowing you to wash out extra dirty items before putting them in the washer as well as being a general purpose sink for messy tasks like cleaning paint brushes.

Using the same water hookups that your washing machine uses for a utility sink can not only save you water, but it can also save you time and energy down the line. Installing a utility sink next to the washer by yourself is doable as long as your laundry room is large enough and you have an accessible water pipe and proper drainage.

Continue reading how to tackle the project yourself. However, if you run into any snags along the way, or you’re not sure if installing a sink in your laundry room is something you can do alone, always call a professional plumber for assistance.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Speed Square
• Cordless drill
• Laser level or bubble level
• Electric miter saw
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Carpenter’s pencil
• Stud finder
• Utility knife
• Pry bar
• Copper pipe cutter
• PEX pipe cutter
• 5/8-inch auger bit

Materials

• Laundry room utility sink
• 2 Push-fit brass tees or a pipe splitter
• 2 1/2-inch PEX pipes, one for hot and one for cold
• Washer drain line
• Waste Y-fitting
• Metal stud protector plates
• 2 1/2-inch copper stub outs
• 2 Metal or plastic PEX bend supports
• Faucet and included hardware

Instructions

1. Assess Your Layout The placement of the utility sink within your laundry room is largely based on where it will fit best. Placing the sink close to the washer is smart considering this is probably the only source of hot and cold water, as well as drain point, in the room.
2. Remove the Drywall If drywall is covering the wall behind the washer and dryer, you may need to remove key sections of drywall to access the plumbing lines. With a stud finder, locate the position of the studs that extend from the current supply point and drain pipe to the area where you intend to install the utility sink.With the utility knife, slice through the drywall tape that joins full sheets of drywall to each other. Remove the sheet by turning out the drywall screws and then prying back the sheet.
3. Drill Through the Studs With your 5/8-inch auger bit, drill two holes in each stud that leads to the intended location of the utility sink. Cover the front of each drilled hole by hammering metal stud protector plates into the studs.
4. Tap Into the Water Supply Lines Cut into the washer’s hot and cold copper supply lines with the copper pipe cutter. After cleaning the burrs from the copper pipes, insert a tee on each line, running two PEX lines through the holes in the studs to the utility sink location. Replace the two severed lines (hot and cold for the washer) on top of the tees, first sanding off the burrs from the copper pipe.
5. Tap Into the Drain Line Standpipe Depending on how your washing machine drain line is set up, you may be able to tap into your existing drain line with a waste Y-fitting and extend a PVC pipe to the utility sink area.Alternatively, your local code likely will allow you to make the utility sink drain line the only drain for both the sink and the washer. The washer drain hose is then hooked over the wall of the utility sink. When the washer expels water, the water flows into the sink and then back down to the standpipe.
6. Attach the Copper Stub Outs Attach the hot and cold supply lines to the copper stub outs. Use bend supports to direct each pipe at a 90-degree angle. Nail each pipe onto the side of the studs with fasteners. Use the Speed Square to square up the pipes, ensuring that they extend directly from the wall.
7. Assemble the Utility Tub Turn the utility tub upside-down, and attach the four legs to the bottom of the tub basin. Many brands of freestanding utility tubs require you to only tap the legs into place with no additional fixtures required.Add the included leveling feet. Turn the utility tub upright again. Level the basin with the bubble level or a laser level.
8. Add the Sink Faucet and Trap Install the drain trap under the utility sink, and then attach it to the drain line. Add the faucet to the two stub outs. Turn the water back on, and test your pipe connection by running the water.
9. Install the Drywall After any required plumbing inspection, install drywall over the open wall. Make cutouts at all plumbing entry points.

When to Call a Professional

Plumbing work has a learning curve. If you don’t already possess basic plumbing skills, including working with PEX and copper pipe and installing fixtures, it may be challenging to install a utility sink on your own.

Whether you haven’t started or you’re halfway through a project, talking with a licensed plumber from Lenox is always a good idea when you aren’t sure of next steps. Give us a call or send us a message, and we would be happy to help you finish your project right.