Things You Will Need
Many metal closet rods are expandable to accommodate various closet widths. Because these rods are hollow, they often sag when mounted to cover a long distance and loaded with clothing. Reinforce this type of rod by adding a strong wooden dowel through its center, prior to mounting it to the side walls, or you can also add additional external support brackets along the back wall. Maintain the sleek look and feel of the metal rod, while increasing the support for heavy items.
Inner Support
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Measure the distance between the walls in the closet where you intend to mount the closet rod, using the measuring tape.
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Measure and cut the wooden dowel to a length 1/4 inch less than the measurement obtained in Step 1, using the measuring tape and power saw.
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Sand away any splintering from the cut end of the dowel, using the fine-grit sand paper.
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Insert the wooden dowel inside the metal closet rod and mount it between the closet walls, following the rod manufacturer's instructions.
Outer Support
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Measure from the top of a side wall down to the location of the screw holes in the rod brackets and make note of the measurement.
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Measure from the top of the back wall of the closet down the same distance obtained in Step 1 and mark the location with a pencil.
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Locate and mark the locations for the studs across the back wall of the closet at the same level of the pencil marks, using the stud finder and pencil.
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Draw a level line across the wall through the marks for the studs, using the standard level and pencil.
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Position a bracket approximately every 4 feet against the back wall, ensuring that each one is in front of a stud location.
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Mark and drill holes through the screw holes in the brackets.
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Install wood screws into the holes and tighten them firmly into the studs, using the power drill and drill bit.
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Position the closet rod over the brackets for extra support.