Installing a 24" X 30" Lavatory Wall Cabinet
Installing a 24" x 30" lavatory wall cabinet consists of five main phases:
(1) gathering the equipment and supplies, (2) setting up the drill and power
supply, (3) choosing and marking the correct spot, (4) preparing the wall cabinet,
and (5) hanging the wall cabinet. Following these instructions correctly will
result in having a beautiful lavatory that all your friends will envy, not
to mention the extra cabinet space you will acquire.
Equipment and Supplies
To get started, gather the following items:
- 24" x 30" wall cabinet
- 6 to 9 three inch wood screws
- drill bit which mates up to wood screws
- drill
- drill bit chuck
- stud finder
- tape measure
- pencil
- electrical outlet
- extension cord
Note: The last two items are not necessary if using a cordless drill.
Setting Up the Drill and Power Supply
- Insert the drill bit into the end of the drill. If the hole is not large enough
for the drill bit to fit, turn the end of the drill clockwise until large enough.
- With the drill bit inserted, tighten it down by putting the drill bit chuck
into one of the three holes located on the end of the drill, and turning counterclockwise.
- Plug the extension cord into the nearest electrical outlet.
- Take the power cord on the drill and plug it into the opposite end of the extension
cord.
Choosing and Marking the Correct Spot
To choose and mark a good spot on the wall for the cabinet:
- Locate approximately where you want to hang your cabinet.
- Press the stud finder flat against the wall. Run it horizontally right to left
very slowly until the needle points straight out towards you. When this occurs,
you have found a stud.
- Mark where the stud is with your pencil.
- Locate one more stud adjacent to the first one and mark it also. This step
will guarantee that your wall cabinet will be very secure after it is hung.
- To decide where the base of your cabinet will be, measure down from the ceiling
and make two marks below your stud marks. These are your bottom alignment marks.
- Next, measure the width between the stud marks (the studn width measurement).
The stud width measurement is critical in the hanging step.
Note: Most studs are 16' apart from each other, while some are 12".
Preparing the Wall Cabinet
To get the cabinet ready to be mounted on the wall:
- Lay the wall cabinet on its back and open the cabinet door.
- To mark where the screws will go, take the stud width measurement and center
it inside the wall cabinet.
- Make two marks at the top, middle, and bottom of the inside of the cabinet.
On the outside of the wall cabinet, on the bottom, make the same two marks.
- Leaving the wall cabinet on its back, drill the screws one by one partially
into the indicated marks.
Note: Only start the screws 1/4" to 1/2" into the cabinet. Do not go through
the back of the wall cabinet. This will make it difficult to hold the wall
cabinet later.
Hanging the Wall Cabinet
- Lift the wall cabinet and press it to the wall near your stud marks and bottom
alignment marks.
- Line up the screws with the stud marks and the bottom of the wall cabinet with
the bottom alignment marks. To do this, you might need someone to hold the
wall cabinet for you.
- Take the drill in one hand while holding the wall cabinet with the other. Start
at the top and insert the drill bit in the head of screw. Pressing very hard,
screw in the top two screws.
Caution:
Hold cabinet well until remaining screws are screwed in.
- Before screwing in the remaining screws, doublecheck the bottom of the wall
cabinet to make sure it is still aligned correctly with the bottom alignment
marks:
- If it is, then screw in remaining screws and your cabinet should be secured
tightly.
- If the wall cabinet is unaligned, loosen one of the top screws, align correctly,
and screw in remaining screws.
You have completed the procedure for hanging your beautiful new wall cabinet.
Now sit back and enjoy the benefits!
This information is owned and maintained by David A. McMurrey. For
information on use, customization, or copies, e-mail
davidm@austin.cc.tx.us or call (512) 476-4949.