How to Repair Wire Shelves
One of the most convenient and cost-effective methods to increase closet storage space is wire shelving. Putting up the shelves is an easy process that takes minimal experience and skill. Occasionally, wire shelves will break and need to be repaired. The part of wire shelves that usually need to be repaired are the wire shelf brackets. Therefore, the wire shelf brackets simply need to be replaced to fix the problem.
Items you will need to repair the wire shelves include:
- Scraper
- Power screwdriver
- Spackling compound
- New set of wire shelf brackets and screws
Instructions
- Take all clothes, objects and products off of the wire shelves. Remove everything off the shelves above and below the shelf you are going to repair. This will give you more room to fix the shelf.
- Lift the shelf up from the front so the lip is lifting out of the plastic bracket. Pull the back side of the shelf out of the back clips and take the shelf out. If you notice the shelf is bent or broken, get a new wire shelf that is the same size and replace it.
- Take the broken bracket off by unscrewing the screw with a power screwdriver. You also may be able to just pull the bracket out of the wall.
- Use the spackling compound to fill in the resulting hole. Get a scraper or plastic applicator to put on the spackling. Allow the spackling to dry for several hours or for the amount of time that is recommended on the label. When the spackling compound is dry it will turn a bright white color.
- Use the power screwdriver and 1/16 bit to drill the mounting hole one inch away from the old hole.
- Put the new bracket into the new hole and be sure to screw it in place. It is best to use drywall-anchoring brackets because they will expand when screwed into the wall.
- Snap the back into the brackets along the wall and be sure to lower the lip into the brackets on the side wall.