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Manuel6 · 08-07-2007, 08:24 PM

I am finishing the remodeling of my bathroom, and I am installing a pedestal sink. I roughed in the drain and supply lines exactly where I wanted them, and now all that is left is the installation of the lavatory. I tried to install the lavatory today; however, much to my dismay the floor was unlevel and the pedestal base rocked too much (between 1/8 & 3/16" out of level, by the way). I decided to quit and think about how I was going to level the lavatory. I was able to level the base with some plastic toilet shims; however, the pedestal, to the eye, now looks cocked, even though it is in fact level and plumb.

My question is the following: Is there a way to level between the lavatory itself and the base? If I am able to do that, then I can at least leave the base flush with the floor and any gap between the lavatory and the base would not be as noticeable to a person of average height. Also, if shimming at the lavatory bottom is possible, what shimming material should I use, I imagine some type of rubber of foamy material.... Thanks in advance. This is a great forum!

MinConst · 08-07-2007, 08:53 PM

Kind of a cobby way to do something but you might build up with epoxy on the top of the pedestal. You could build a form from something flexible and fill with epoxy. Once hardened you could sand to the shape and taper you need.
If you make a form line it with saran wrap.

bigMikeB · 08-08-2007, 07:32 PM

Most of the guys I work with shim the base to the floor with flattened copper tubing and then fill the gap with plaster of paris or floor grout.

Manuel6 · 08-09-2007, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I guess the bottom line is- shim the base- which is fine with me. And it probably makes the most sense.

I have a follow-up question. The base that I have does not have the pre-drilled holes to accept lag screws. I imagine that it is a base that is simply caulked down. However, I don't feel comfortable simply caulking down a base that is going to be shimmed, for the caulk may not make full contact with the floor in some areas. I was thinking about making a brace that I could use to tie down the base from the inside (the base has a gap cut out that would allow this) that would be attached to the floor. What do you think about that? In end, my thinking is that it would be comparable to shimming a toilet; you shim the toilet level, and then you tighten the commode down onto the shims slowly. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

KUIPORNG · 08-09-2007, 10:31 AM

I got similar problem with my Pedestal Sink installation, I just shim the pedestal at the center with some remaining laminate flooring pieces being wrap with plastic covering (avoid water damage), as the shim is inside, the end result is the Pedestal looks like risen up from the floor, but it is holding strong. Wife didn't complain at all... whether you like like the look of the Pedestal being hold up in air is personal opinion, but I am'nt going to bother with it as wife didn't complain..... another thing, I didn't have any fastening to the pedestal at all.. it just hold and stand by the upper/lower compression force.... I believe only earth quark can knock it down... I don't want to fasten it because in case need to do some plumbing work, it can be remove easily....

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Installing Pedestal Sink on unlevel floor

Installing Pedestal Sink on unlevel floor

Installing Pedestal Sink on unlevel floor

Installing Pedestal Sink on unlevel floor

Installing Pedestal Sink on unlevel floor