I am taking on replacing my utility sink with a wall mounted sink. I know that I have to have support and plan to open the drywall to install backing (fortunately, I have a stud on the left side for hanging, only requiring me to back the right side. The sink weighs 55 lbs. I do not plan to use legs and want to know if lag screws will be solid enough to hold the sink to the wall. I originally bought brackets (picture attached), but I am unsure that I need them. Any help is appreciated.
Walls – Help needed with mounting sink to wall
sinksupportwalls
Related Solutions
L Brackets are not going to be a good idea for this type of project. As a minumum you will need to have a triangle type bracket - if you can find something large enough. If you want to avoid any type of legs right at the front edge you could build your own equivalent of a triangle bracket out of wood.
If I was setting out to make a built in unit mounted onto a wall I would secure a wood piece along the wall to every stud at the table height minus the top thickness. Then I would use this horizontal strip as the rear side mount for the table top. Then I would install supports under the table from near the front edge and angle them down toward the bottom of the wall where they could be fastened into the wall stud and/or the floor.
At the end of the day I would really suggest that you step back and evaluate if it really necessary to fasten your table to the wall. Having it sit on its own supports makes for a huge bunch of flexibility. It can be moved, taken away when all computers of the future fit into a pocket and a computer desk is no longer needed, and lastly you can easily get it away if you ever want to sell the house.
I am certain that if you mount that sink to the wall using only the two holes in the tabs, no matter how strong the mounting screws nor how hard the backing, the cast iron tabs will snap off.
In the worst case, the tabs will hold the sink in place for days or even weeks, then break suddenly when you are barefoot in your underwear and the sink is full of soapy water and a wet cat.
Don't even think about using this exquisite antique until you have figured out how to construct supports between the front mounts and the wall.
Other than the thickness of the backing board, you have a lot of freedom to determine dimensions. The backing board should extend downward as far as conveniently possible to spread the levering force. Using the backing board also allows you to position the sink without regard to the wall studs.
The screws and bolts that pass through the sink should be as large as will fit thru the holes, not only for strength but to avoid lateral motion.
Here is a rough sketch of a possible installation:
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Best Answer
Question: Want to know if lag screws will be solid enough to hold the sink to the wall. I originally bought brackets (picture attached), but I am unsure that I need them.
Yes – lag screws would be able to support the weight. And the use of the bracket depends on the points I bring up when installing this sink as a utility sink.
Your utility sink was free standing and most likely had a splash panel on the back or the area behind it was protected from water. The drywall was either backer board or drywall cover by appropriate layer to prevent water damage.
Using the lag screws with appropriate washer is doable, if the proper support is provided on the right side as you stated. You must be careful when tighten the lag screws enough to hold the sink securely WITHOUT overtighten that the sink or coating will crack. A heavy rubber gasket between two washers can be used, but again do not over tighten.
Use of the brackets: After securing the two brackets flushed to the surface with appropriate long heavy screws (3” deck screws/) to the support, you will be able to just lift the sink and hook the sink to the two brackets. The part on the left of your picture are L hooks. Push the sink over the hooks, and the hooks will garb the sink. Using the brackets, you do not have to worry about over-tighten the screws.
Using either method of attachment, you can tile or use other design to create your splash panel above or around your sink.