HOW TO PUT UP A SHELF ON A PLASTERBOARD WALL - Putting up shelving in your home allows you to create a place to store things. Shelving can be for decorative purposes as well as practical storage and putting a shelf up is an easy DIY job that anyone can do. If you have plasterboard walls then you will need to make sure that the shelf is securely anchored to the wall and that it can take the weight of what you want to put on it. In this DIY Carpentry Guide we will show you the right way to do it.
Step 1
The first thing you need to do is determine if the wall is actually a plasterboard wall. Gently rap the wall with your knuckles and if you get a hollow sound then you know you have a plasterboard wall.
Step 2
Take your shelf and place this against the wall in the position and height that you want and mark this with a pencil.
Step 3
Take a multipurpose detector and make sure that the intended position is clear from any electrical cables and water pipes that may be behind the wall.
Step 4
Using the multipurpose detector locate the stud work in the wall. It is highly recommended that you screw into the stud work as this will give you a stronger anchor for the brackets and allow the shelf to hold more weight and stay up.
Step 5
Once you locate the stud work, mark the position with a pencil and now fit the bracket to the wall using the appropriate sized wood screws. Because you are fixing the brackets directly into the stud work, there is no reason to drill holes.
Step 6
Place a spirit level on the top of the bracket and mark a level line to where the second bracket will be fitted. Now mark the bracket screw holes.
Step 7
Now the chances of the stud work appearing on the second bracket may be pretty slim, so you are going to have to drill holes and insert raw plugs.
Step 8
Plasterboard Raw Plugs – You cannot use just any old raw plug. See the video below, for a great explanation of plasterboard raw plugs. If in doubt ask a member of staff at your local DIY store.
Step 9
Once you have chosen the appropriate raw plug, take a drill bit of the correct size and drill the bracket holes that you marked.
Step 10
Place the raw plugs into the wall and tap gently home with a hammer if required.
Step 11
Before you fit screws to the bottom screw hole on each bracket, take your spirit level and make sure the brackets are level across the top and vertical.
Step 12
Once you are happy that the brackets are level, mark and fit your fixings.
Step 13
Now place your shelf on the brackets and fit the shelf to the brackets using the screws provided or ones appropriate for the thickness of your shelving board.
Acknowledgements: Video – WoodiesDIY.com
