Removing an old bathroom vanity requires a careful plan to prevent leaks and hidden damage.

Start by shutting off the water at the main or local shutoff and draining remaining water from the lines by opening the faucets and catching any drips. Remove the countertop and sink mounting nuts using the proper basin wrench or deep socket and support the sink from below to prevent sudden drops that can crack porcelain. Inspect the vanity back for large access holes; if none exist, cut a rectangular opening centered on the plumbing to expose supply stops, trap, and drain slip nuts so you can see and reach every connection. Label and photograph each connection before disconnecting to simplify reassembly and avoid mistaken piping. After draining the trap, place a bucket and rags under the drain and supply lines, then loosen the slip nuts by hand or with pliers, turning counterclockwise while holding the other fitting steady to prevent twisting the stub wall pipes. Check for wall anchors and hidden screws behind baseboards or inside cabinet corners and remove them with a long screwdriver to free the unit without tearing drywall. Finally, lift the vanity straight out with a second person at one end to keep the unit level and prevent catching on floor or finished wall edges.

A common mistake is prying the vanity out before turning off water which risks water damage and flooding; always confirm shutoffs are closed and test by opening a faucet briefly. Another issue is not creating a back access hole which forces blind force and can crack fittings; avoid this by cutting a neat opening that gives direct access to supply stops, the trap, and vent connection and patch it later with a drywall repair. People also yank on piping or try to separate glued or soldered joints without isolating lines, which can break drywall or fracturing copper; instead, drain and remove slip fittings first and only cut pipes with a tubing cutter when necessary, leaving enough length to reuse or install new connectors.

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