How to Reinforce a Sagging Shelf

Is the weight of all those soccer trophies making your daughter's prize shelf droop like a loser? Don't blow the whistle on it just yet. You can have that sagging shelf looking like a winner again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shelf-support Bracket And Screws
• Pencil
• Hammer
• Hand Drill
• Plastic Wall Anchors
• Screwdriver
• Tape Measure

1. Measure the existing brackets on the shelf, then go to the hardware store and buy a matching bracket.

2. 

   Hold a shelf-support bracket at the center point, and use a pencil to mark on the wall where the screw holes will go (see A). Remove the bracket.

3. Check the box the anchors came in for the diameter of the holes.

4. Using a hand drill, drill holes at the pencil marks slightly smaller than your plastic wall anchors.

5. Place the anchors in the holes.

6. 

   Tap the anchors lightly with a hammer until flush with the wall (see B).

7. While holding the bracket firmly against the wall, make sure the holes in the bracket line up exactly with the wall anchors.

8. Using a screwdriver or a drill, insert the screws into the anchors until they are flush with the bracket.

9. If the shelf still sags, add additional brackets midway between the new bracket and the existing ones.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have wood walls, skip the wall anchors and screw the bracket directly into the wood.
• If the shelf has a severe sag, screw a strip of hardwood to its front edge to reinforce it.
• Wall anchors are designed to hold weights of only 20 lbs. (9 kg) or less.