How to Install Back catch boards for Cabinets on Concrete or Brick Walls

When remodeling a kitchen in an older home you are occasionally faced with a wall built out brick, stone or cinder blocks without a stud wall on the inside. When installing cabinetry you do need a surface to attach to and this can create a problem. You can either build a stud wall inside and sacrifice square footage or install wooden catchers behind the cabinets. The following steps will illustrate how to install catchers into a masonry or concrete surface.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Toggle bolts
• 2'' washers
• Liquid Nails
• Caulk Gun
• Electric Drill
• 2''spade bit
• Hammer Drill
• 1x4 lumber
• torpedo level

1. 
    
   Bosch Hammer drill can be rented from Home Depot

   The first step is to prepare the wall surface. You will want the wood backer strips to be plumb with the wall surface so that the cabinets can be attached flat to the wall. Measure and mark on the wall where your base and wall cabinets will be attached. Mark the line where the top of each cabinet will rest. Make a second line 3.5'' beneath the first line and chisel out any plaster, drywall or other debris attached to the wall. Vacuum off all debris can clean the area.

2. 
    
   Counter sunk hole on the 1x4 backer

   Once your holes are prepared you can cut your backing boards. Use wood 1x4's and measure them to fit behind each of the cabinets. You can measure them just a little bit short so that you won't have any overhang. For instance, if you have a 33'' cabinet cut a backing board no more than 32'' wide.

3. 
    
   Toggle bolt

   When your backing boards are cut take them, and place them in the hole you cut out for them. Use a small drill bit (same width as your toggle bolt or expanding screws) to drill guide holes through the board and make a score mark on the masonry or concrete wall behind. Use a hammer drill with a drill bit slightly larger than your toggle bolts or expanding screws and drill at least 2'' into the wall through the score marks. (If you are drilling through brick drill through the first brick only and use toggle bolts. If it is concrete drill at least 2'' deep and use expanding nails or screws.) Use the 2'' spade bit in your electric drill to drill a shallow counter sink hole out of the wood centered on your guide hole.

4. 
    
   Boards glued and bolted to the wall.

   Now that your holes are drilled, you can attach the boards. Cover the back of each with a thick bead of liquid nails. Hold it in place over the holes you drilled and place a torpedo level on top. While making sure that it is level, install your expanding screws or toggle bolts. (be sure to attach the 2'' washers first) Drill them in until the they are very snug but be careful not to snap the screw. Follow the same process until all backing boards are installed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are dealing with hollow masonry and are using toggle bolts, if the bolts do not want to catch, pull the screw head towards you and turn it slowly by hand until it catches.