A sink is one of the most common plumbing fixtures — every apartment has one, and most get replaced during renovations. It looks straightforward on the surface, but 70% of future leaks and alignment problems are baked in during installation. Here is what a customer should know before the technician arrives.
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
- Marking and check. A spirit level is required — the sink must sit perfectly horizontal, otherwise water pools in one corner and leaves mineral stains.
- 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).
- 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.
- Supply hookup for hot and cold water through flexible hoses. Shut-off valves under the sink are mandatory (1/2" angle valves).
- Trap and drain. Assembly per the manufacturer's instructions, checking every gasket. Never overtighten the flexible waste — it will tear.
- Perimeter sealing — silicone between the sink and the countertop (or wall for wall-mounted units) to keep water out of the seams.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is the faucet included in the installation price?
Only the labor to install it — you buy the faucet separately. Technicians often help pick one in the store or give advice over the phone. A "sink installation" quote usually includes mounting the faucet onto the sink — confirm this in the offer.
Does the plumber need to be licensed?
For a simple sink swap in your own apartment — no. But reputable plumbers in Israel are registered "אינסטלטור מוסמך" and can issue a receipt and a warranty. That paperwork is useful later for insurance claims.
Why silicone if there are already gaskets?
Gaskets only seal the trap joints. Silicone seals the gap between the sink and the surrounding surface (wall or countertop), where splashes always land. Without silicone that gap starts to rot within six months — black mold, swollen furniture.
Can a sink be hung on a drywall wall?
Only if a backer is built into the wall — a steel stud or wooden block behind the mounting points. Without a backer the anchors will rip out together with a chunk of drywall within weeks. On ordinary drywall, use a vanity-style sink or long anchors that pass through the drywall into the brick behind.