Time for a New Sink?: The Top Signs You Need a New Bathroom Sink

bathroom sink

Remodeling the bathroom? Having plumbing problems? Simply looking for something fresh to spruce up your bathroom?

Whatever the reason, adding a new bathroom sink will do wonders for your bathroom and even your home.

How do you know it’s time to take the plunge and invest in a new bathroom sink?

There are multiple signs it’s time for an upgrade, and some may even surprise you. Take a look and see if any of these apply to you.

1. Mold Growth

Few reasons are more compelling than the growth of mold under your sink. Even minor leaks can lead to dangerous growth.

If you’ve found any mold under your vanity, you could save more money by replacing your sink. Mold can create dangerous health concerns for you and your family and cost big bucks to eliminate.

Unfortunately, mold has a way of spreading beyond your sink. Left too long, it can sneak into your walls and, even worse, reach your air vents.

Sometimes in older homes, the design of bathroom sinks is the main contributing factor to mold growth. Whether it be that pipes aren’t solidly connected or counters allow water to run off onto the wall, the way your old sink is designed could be causing the problem.

Don’t risk the health and safety of your family. Nip the problem in the bud and replace the sink.

2. You’re Looking to Sell

We’ve all heard the advice that curb-appeal is vital when trying to sell your home. While the outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers see, the bathroom is one of the rooms they’ll look most closely at.

People are often most critical of rooms where they know lots of activity occurs. The eagle eye comes out when buyers scan sinks, tubs, and toilets to see if they’d feel comfortable using them.

Updating your bathroom sink is one way to boost your home’s market value fast. Outdated fixtures, tarnished faucets, stained counters, outdated designs, all these things give potential buyers pause.

By adding in a new, modern sink, you instantly make your home look fresh and buyer-ready.

Bathrooms are one of the most frequently used rooms in a home. The wear and tear that your sink and vanity experience can make your home look ill-cared for and unappealing. 

Having crisp, clean, trendy sinks will immediately increase your home’s selling potential.

3. Cracks or Damage

If your original bathroom sink is damaged or cracking, there’s no question it’s time for a replacement. Fixing cracks can be futile, depending on the material your vanity is made of.

Hot curling irons, water damage, or cleaning agents easily damage many sink materials (especially in older homes).

Repair jobs can leave you with many different problems. Leaking pipes, trouble finding matching materials, high expenses, and even experiencing the same problem again in the future are all possibilities when you opt to repair a damaged sink instead of updating it.

Even if you’re concerned about your budget, you may be surprised to discover that replacing your sink could cost you the same amount or less than simply repairing it.

4. You Need More Room

If you’re struggling to find a place for extra toilet paper or towels, it could be time for a new sink.

Make room by adding a wider vanity instead of cramming your limited bathroom space with standing shelves or cabinets. If your bathroom sink isn’t meeting your or your family’s needs, that’s reason enough to upgrade.

Counter space is another factor to consider. Choose a new sink with wider counters if you simply need more room for your family’s toiletries.

The opposite problem applies as well. Are you sick of too much junk crowding your bathroom sink and want to force yourself to become a minimalist? Get a new bathroom sink that suits your needs by forcing you to store your belongings elsewhere.

5. You’re Ready for a New Look

Whether you built your house or bought it used, sometimes you’re simply tired of the way things are. Appliances and fixtures are one sure indicator of a home’s age. 

You can walk into a home and immediately guess the year it was built simply by looking at the sinks.

If you’re ready for a more modern style, updating your bathroom sinks is an easy fix. If vintage is your forte, replace your vanities with a classic style that will never go out of date.

6. Your Sink is Rusting

Where there’s water, there’s always the potential for rust. Unfortunately, rust is hard to eliminate once it’s begun. 

The older your pipes, the more worn down they become and the more likely they will rust. Rust can wear away your pipes, leaving you with holes and leaks…and we all know the dangers leaks can cause.

Like mold, rust is also a health risk. Left too long without replacement, rust can enter your water supply. If consumed, it can lead to serious health issues.

Better safe than sorry. If your sink is seeing some rust, it’s time for an update.

7. Continual Clogging

You’ve called the plumber so many times you’ve put him on speed dial. No one wants to deal with the continuous clogging of a sink.

Having your sink blocked up with hair and other matter is quite normal.

But if your sink is still clogged after several professional plumbers have looked at it, it’s probably caused by something more serious.

If this is the case, your best bet is to replace the sink.

Choosing the Right Bathroom Sink 

Whatever the reason you find it’s time to update your bathroom sink, you’re in luck. Modern, farmhouse, classic, sensible, the sink options are limitless.

Find the style that’s perfect to suit your home and your needs. Enjoy browsing our wide selection of unique bathroom sinks and find the one that’s just right for your home and budget.


My name is Julia Ritzenthaler, Founder and President of Unique Vanities, started in 2005. I started this business as an extension of our residential remodeling business, which focused on the design and build of custom cabinetry and architectural trim. I also worked as a financial advisor for 10 years at Ameriprise Financial, helping clients make sound money decisions, including budgeting for home improvement expenses. This expertise led me to start Unique Vanities, which offers a handpicked selection of high quality bathroom vanities, sinks, mirrors and more. You can find me most days sitting in Starbucks, my second office, or in my car driving my daughter across Dallas to gymnastics training.