HandyMangum, Residential & Commercial Services

Aging in place · Bathroom sinks

Accessible vanities, roll-under sinks and lowered counters

Quick answer

A standard vanity has cabinet doors where your knees need to go, so it cannot be used from a wheelchair or a seat. An accessible vanity or roll-under sink leaves open knee space under a lower counter, so the sink, faucet and mirror can be used sitting down. HandyMangum removes the old vanity, adds wall blocking, and installs the new vanity, wall-mounted sink or counter, mirror and easy-reach storage. Connecting or moving the drain and water lines, and any new faucet, is done by a licensed plumber.

Why the sink matters

The sink is used many times a day: washing hands, brushing teeth, taking medicine. When it can only be used standing, someone in a wheelchair has to reach sideways over a cabinet, and someone who needs to sit while they get ready has nowhere to do it.

An accessible sink puts the basin at a seated height with open space underneath. It can be a wall-mounted sink, an open-front vanity or a vanity with removable doors that can open up later.

Who it helps

  • Wheelchair users
  • People who need to sit while they wash, shave or do makeup
  • Anyone with balance problems who cannot stand at the sink for long
  • Shorter adults and children
  • Homes planning a senior bathroom remodel
  • Families setting up a bathroom for a parent moving in

What the job involves

  1. Measure for the person

    Seated height, chair width and knee clearance, plus where the drain and water lines come out of the wall.

  2. Plan the plumbing

    A roll-under sink usually needs the drain set back toward the wall. A licensed plumber does any drain, supply or faucet work.

  3. Install and finish

    Old vanity out, blocking in the wall, new sink or vanity, counter, mirror and storage in, and the wall patched and painted.

Options

Wall-mounted roll-under sink

A sink fixed to blocking in the wall with open space below. The most knee room.

Open-front vanity

A vanity with no doors or center stile, so a chair rolls under the counter.

Removable-front vanity

Looks like a normal vanity now; the doors and floor come out later if needs change.

Lowered counter section

Part of a long vanity, or a kitchen work area, set lower for seated use. In kitchens this is usually part of a remodel.

Kitchen remodeling

Mirror and storage

A tilted or lower mirror, and medicine and toiletry storage moved within reach.

Easy-reach storage

Lever faucet

A single-lever faucet that works without a tight grip. Installed by a licensed plumber.

Lever hardware

Good to know

  • ADA guidelines put the sink rim no higher than 34 inches, with knee space at least 27 inches high and 30 inches wide underneath. We use those as the starting point and fit to the person.
  • Exposed hot-water and drain pipes under a roll-under sink should be insulated or covered so legs do not touch them.
  • A wall-mounted sink must be fastened to solid blocking in the wall, not just to drywall.
  • The ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply to businesses and public places, not private homes. They are still a well-tested reference for heights and clearances, so we use them as our starting point at home and adjust to the person who will use it.
  • If any part of the job needs a permit or a state-licensed trade, such as new plumbing lines or new wiring, we tell you during the quote and that part is handled by properly licensed professionals.

Accessible Vanities & Sinks FAQs

What is a roll-under sink?

A sink with open space underneath so a wheelchair or a seat can pull in close, the way you would sit at a desk.

How high should an accessible bathroom sink be?

Following ADA guidelines, the rim is no higher than 34 inches, with at least 27 inches of knee clearance underneath. At home we adjust to the person and their chair.

Can you convert my existing vanity?

Sometimes. Removing the doors and floor of some vanities opens knee space, but the counter may still be too high. Often a new wall-mounted sink or open-front vanity works better.

Who handles the plumbing?

A licensed plumber connects or moves the drain and water lines and installs any new faucet. We plan it with you and handle the vanity, blocking, counter, mirror and finish work.

Why do pipes under the sink need covers?

Someone sitting at the sink can touch hot pipes with their legs without feeling it, so exposed pipes should be insulated or covered.

Does Medicare or insurance pay for this?

We cannot promise that any plan will pay, so please check before the work starts. Original Medicare generally does not pay for grab bars, bath seats, raised toilet seats or home changes like these; CMS treats them as convenience items rather than durable medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid waiver programs and veterans' programs do help with home modifications, so ask your plan directly. We give you a written, itemized quote and invoice you can share with them.

Make the sink work sitting down

Call or text (407) 699-1123, or send the online request with a few photos. Estimates are free on every job.

4.9 213 Google reviews