How to Stabilize a Shelf
Securing any shelf over four feet in height to the wall will stabilize the shelf and prevent a small child from pulling the shelf over. A falling shelf could seriously injure or kill a child, animal or smaller adult. It does not take very long or much money to secure a shelf to a wall to stabilize it. In fact, you can complete the task with basic household repair tools.
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Remove all of the items from the top shelf and the shelf directly below the top shelf.
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Place an angle bracket at the end of the top shelf so one end of the bracket rests on the shelf and the other end rests against the wall.
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Mark the mounting holes on the shelf and the wall with a pencil and then place the brackets off to the side.
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Drill a hole through the marked locations on the wall with a drill bit large enough to fit the wall anchor you plan to use. Drill a hole through the marked locations on the shelf with a drill bit large enough to snugly fit the bolts you plan to use to secure the shelf to the brackets.
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Drive the anchors into the wall with a hammer and then place the brackets back onto the shelf and against the wall. Line the holes up in the bracket with the holes on the shelf and the wall.
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Place a washer onto the first bolt you plan to install into the wall anchor, and then secure the bracket to the wall with the bolt and a screwdriver or wrench. Repeat the process with the second bracket.
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Place a washer onto the first bolt you plan to use to secure the shelf to the bracket. Push the bolt through the bracket and then through the shelf. Place a washer onto the end of the bolt and then secure the bolt with a nut and wrench.
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Sweep off any dirt or dust from the shelves with a dust broom.
Things You Will Need
- Angle brackets
- Drill
- Wall anchors
- Hammer
- Bolts
- Washers
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Dust broom