When it's time to refit your walk-in closet, the first step is removing all the old shelves and fixtures. Though this can be an intimidating prospect, the project requires only skills most people have already used. You'll have to unscrew some screws, pry up some strips and carry a few things from point A to point B. Experienced remodelers can clear out a closet in a matter of hours, but for the at-home do-it-yourselfer it's best to set aside a full afternoon to do the job right. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Clear all your clothes and other items from the closet. Use a step stool to reach higher areas.
2. Remove all the shelves from their supports. using a flat-head or Phillips screwdriver if needed. In many cases you'll be able to simply lift them off the supports. If not, you'll find them screwed to the supporting braces, usually from the underside. For one-piece wire shelves, skip this step as the shelves are part of the supports.
3. Remove any screw and nail caps that are part of the shelf brackets. This usually looks like a nub or button, and is a piece of wood inserted into the hole where the screw was driven. Pry these out with your flat-head screwdriver or the corner of your spackle knife. Wire shelf units do not generally have these, either.
4. Uncrew any screws you've exposed, using a flat-head or Phillips screwdriver. If you have a power drill with screwdriver heads, substitute it for the hand tool. Remove the screws and shelf brackets from the closet. For wire shelf units, this step is usually all you'll need to do.
5. Loosen any shelf brackets that have been nailed in place. Slide your spackle knife between the back of the bracket and the wall. Gently rotate the knife until you have 1/4 inch or so between the wall and at least one part of the shelf brackets.
6. Remove the nail-mounted wall brackets, using the claw of your hammer. Slide the claw into the space you created with your spackle knife. Pry the bracket away from the wall as you would when removing a nail in any other situation. If you're afraid this will mar your wall, slip your rag between the head of the hammer and your wall.
7. Paint over any scratches, holes and dings you left behind, using a paintbrush.
Tags: shelf brackets, spackle knife, your spackle, your spackle knife, flat-head Phillips
