Sink installation

Types of sinks

• Wall-mounted — fixed to the wall on brackets. The most common type in Israeli bathrooms. Requires a solid wall (concrete, brick) — it will not hold in drywall without a blocking backer.
• Vanity (cabinet) — sits on a vanity or cabinet, with the weight carried by the furniture. Often sold as a full set (cabinet + sink + mirror).
• Vessel (above-counter) — sits on top of the countertop like a bowl. A trendy option; needs a tall-spout faucet.
• Drop-in (inset) — dropped into a cutout in the countertop and secured from below. Typical for kitchen sinks.
• Integrated — stone or acrylic, cast as one piece with the countertop. Only replaceable together with the countertop.
• Pedestal ("tulip") — the pedestal hides the trap and the supply lines. Useful in older apartments without a finished trap installation.

What the plumber does

1. Marking and check. A spirit level is required — the sink must sit perfectly horizontal, otherwise water pools in one corner and leaves mineral stains.
2. Mounting. For wall-mounted units: marking, drilling, anchors (in Israel walls are almost always concrete, so a proper hammer drill and quality anchors are a must).
3. Faucet installation. Usually a separate step: the faucet is first fitted "dry" into the sink, then the sink is hung. Hoses must be attached in advance — you can not tighten them later.
4. Supply hookup for hot and cold water through flexible hoses. Shut-off valves under the sink are mandatory (1/2" angle valves).
5. Trap and drain. Assembly per the manufacturer's instructions, checking every gasket. Never overtighten the flexible waste — it will tear.
6. Perimeter sealing — silicone between the sink and the countertop (or wall for wall-mounted units) to keep water out of the seams.
7. Water test. 5–10 minutes of running water to check every joint for leaks.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• The sink itself (check for chips — after installation, replacement is at your expense).
• A faucet with supply hoses. You often need to buy hoses 30–50 cm longer than the stock ones — factory hoses are short.
• A trap (usually not included with the sink, except for vanity sets).
• Shut-off valves under the sink if they are not there yet (1/2" angle valve).
• Good silicone (sanitary, not generic construction sealant — must be anti-mold).
• Water access: know where the main apartment shut-off is so you can close it.

What it costs in Israel

• Wall-mounted bathroom sink install (new point on existing plumbing) — 400–700 ILS
• Like-for-like replacement (old sink removal + new install) — 500–900 ILS
• Vanity set install (cabinet + sink + faucet) — 700–1,400 ILS
• Kitchen sink cut-in to countertop — 500–1,200 ILS (depends on countertop material)
• Vessel sink install on a prepared countertop — 500–900 ILS
• Faucet-only work (no sink) — from 200 ILS
• Shabbat / evening call-out — +30–70%

If the supply lines also need to be relocated (shifting the pipe along the wall), add 300–700 ILS plus plaster work. This happens when the sink is moved to a new position.

How long it takes

• A standard like-for-like swap with existing plumbing — 1–2 hours.
• A new installation with fresh plumbing — 2–4 hours.
• A full vanity set with furniture and lighting — 3–5 hours.

Common DIY mistakes

• Skipped the level — water stands in one corner and a green buildup forms.
• Overtightened nuts — ceramic cracks a couple of weeks later, and a leak appears "out of nowhere".
• Forgot the silicone — water seeps into the gap between sink and wall, and a year later the back of the drywall starts to bloom.
• Sagging flexible trap — sewer smell, even though everything "looks installed correctly".
• Supply hoses too short — pulled tight, they burst at the bend after a year.