Install Rubbermaid Closet Shelves
One way to reduce the clutter and organize your closet is to install Rubbermaid closet shelves. Closet shelves are a simple design with two brackets and a flat shelf. The Rubbermaid closet shelving system uses tracks that have several adjustment holes so you can position the shelf at several different heights. The best way to install the closet shelf is to find two wall studs on the rear wall. Securing into wall studs helps ensure that the shelf tracks do not pull out of the wall due to the weight on the shelves. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove the clothes that are hanging on the closet rod and any other contents that are in the way of accessing the rear closet wall.
2. Locate the studs on the rear closet wall with a stud finder at the height you want to install the shelves. Most electronic stud finders have a button on the side to turn on the unit. Place the stud finder against the wall and slowly slide it horizontally until it beeps or illuminates an indicator light. Mark the stud location and locate a second stud in the same manner.
3. Place one of the vertical tracks upright on the wall over one of the studs. The vertical track is the straight pieces that have slots for the shelf brackets. Place a 4-foot level on the side of the track to ensure that it is level. Insert a pencil through the two mounting holes to mark the mounting location on the wall. Remove the track from the wall.
4. Drill pilot holes at the two marks with a bit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the mounting screws. Place the vertical track against the wall, lining up the track mounting holes with the pilot holes in the wall. Secure the track to the wall with the mounting screws and a Phillips screwdriver.
5. Place the second vertical track over the adjacent stud. Place the level over the top of both tracks to ensure that the tracks are at the same height. Hold the second vertical track and place the level on the side of the track to level it. Mark the mounting holes as you did for the first track.
6. Make your pilot holes and secure the second track as you did the previous track. Attach one of the track shelf brackets into one of the vertical tracks. The shelf brackets have tabs that fit into the slots on the vertical track. Position the bracket at the height you want the shelf, and tap the top of the bracket into the track slot with a hammer.
7. Attach the second shelf bracket to the opposite vertical track at the same height as the first. Place the shelf on top of the shelf brackets. Some Rubbermaid shelves use screws to attach the shelf to the bracket while on others the shelf simply sits on the bracket. If yours has the shelf-mounting screws, insert the screws through the bottom of the bracket into the shelf with a Phillips screwdriver.
Tags: vertical track, shelf brackets, ensure that, mounting holes, pilot holes, shelf bracket, against wall