So, remodeling our bathroom and we purchased a new vanity. What I didn't know until we got it is there is a shelf placed right where the water lines come out of the wall. I entertained the thought of cutting a section out of the shelf but upon further inspection I think that would be a bad idea as it appears it would degrade the integrity of the whole vanity if there was a large section cut out.

​​​​​​How difficult would it be to move the valves/piping UP a few inches in order for them to clear the shelf? Are there any other option out there besides cutting drywall and adjusting the plumbing? We do have a crawlspace so I suspect the pipes come up from below.

Thank you

 

Cutting the shelf would be the easiest. You could get away with cutting out 3 or 4" in the middle. And, it looks like you're going to have to cut the shelf open anyhow to make room for the P trap.

Moving the supply lines isn't a bad job. It's just going to take a small amount of different materials and you'll empty half your tool box for a small job (joking). Cut out an access opening in the sheetrock. I would do a big area so you have plenty of room to work easily. Turn off the water and open a faucet to relieve the pressure. Once you have the wall open you'll be able to see how your water lines run and can determine what you need to do to lower them. You might get away with simply cutting the pipe and soldering your oid elbow and horizontal on top or at the worst you might need some elbow fittings and some pipe. Then do the sheetrock repair.

 

No, I think the easiest would be to select a different vanity without a shelf.

 

It's not uncommon to cut out sections of vanity shelf to make way for the plumbing. I've done it on several occasions. Or remove shelf altogether and move it up or down.

 

Under shelf

Under shelf
Well the vanity had to be ordered special cause the Mrs. Wanted the blue with brass fittings. Additionally, it came fully assembled and is pretty solid. Looking under that shelf it looks very well attached. I worry that if I cut out a section on the back side a lot of it would fall off.

 

You don't want to cut near the edges of the vertical legs or supports.

 

if I notch out the shelf in these areas wouldn't the integrity of the entire shelf be affected? I would have to cut out part of that cross member completely as well in 2 places. The p trap is above it so a small hole in the shelf itself would suffice to relieve stress but the water taps are exactly at the level of the shelf and cross beam.

Thank you all for the help and suggestions.

 

You'll need to do a bit of carpentry.
Sort of what I drew here. Cut the vertical post to accommodate your pipe or valves. But then support those cut pieces with cross members. Do both sides with either the yellow or red. Doesn't need to be what I drew but similar.


Edit...Or better still just replace the vertical piece with another only move it over.