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:

Note: The last two items are not necessary if using a cordless drill.

Setting Up the Drill and Power Supply

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Plug the extension cord into the nearest electrical outlet.
  4. 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:

  1. Locate approximately where you want to hang your cabinet.
  2. 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.
  3. Mark where the stud is with your pencil.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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:

  1. Lay the wall cabinet on its back and open the cabinet door.
  2. To mark where the screws will go, take the stud width measurement and center it inside the wall cabinet.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

  1. Lift the wall cabinet and press it to the wall near your stud marks and bottom alignment marks.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
    
  4. 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:
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.