Steps And Items Needed To Support A Closet Rod
The closet rods come in individual different material types. Some are plastic, some are metal, some are wood & some are made of either metal & plastic that are hollow inside. All of these types of closet rods can be easily reinforced in one way or the other. The reinforcement process will depend upon your DIY skills, the process that works best for you & your budget. If you want to support a closet rod then you just need to gather some required items which are mentioned below and then follow the steps carefully. Here is the list of required items and steps for this process:
Things Needed
- Wooden Dowel & Tape Measure
- Hacksaw & PVC End Caps
- Drill With Screwdriver Bit
- Drill Bit & Stud Finder
- Closet Brackets
- Self-Tapping Wood Screws
Steps For This Process
- First of all, using a solid wooden dowel, replace a flimsy metal or plastic closet rod. Now measure the diameter of your original closet rod and then simply replace it with the same diameter dowel rod to make sure that it will fit into your mounting brackets on either end of your rod. Then cut your rod to length with the help of a hacksaw & place it into your end-mounting brackets.
- Now you need to replace cracked or broken brackets(end-mounting) using thick & sturdy PVC pipe end caps. One will be fixed & used as it is, but the one needs to be cut so that the end of your closet rod will drop into it. Rest your closet rod end on the top of one PVC endcap & then trace that measurement on the top of the end cap by using a marker. You need to use a hacksaw to make the cuts. The cut end cap will form a cradle for your rod end.
- Ensure that your rod easily drops into your cradle. If not then you need to cut away more PVC material along with the edges until your rod easily drops inside. Now you need to drill a hole or holes into the ends of your PVC caps that correlate to the original mounting holes if the original ones were in your wall stud. Alternatively, you need to find a stud by using a stud finder.
- The next thing is to drill 2 mounting holes into your stud, one that correlates to the top of the end cap & one that correlates to the bottom of your cap. You need to drill 2 holes into each cap that line up with your mounting holes. Mount the PVC end caps to your wall by using 2-inch wood screws, or more longer. Now, insert your rod into the solid end cap. Drop the other end of your rod into the cradle.
- Next, push your solid dowel rod into the hollow closet rod. Also, measure the inner diameter of your closet rod & get a dowel rod that is marginally smaller in diameter. Cut it according to the length by using a hacksaw. Push it all the way through until your dowel fills the hollow space.
- Finally, you need to attach your closet rod support brackets at various points along your closet rod. You need to use a stud finder to locate the studs in either your wall or on your ceiling. Now drill pilot holes by using a drill & drill bit. Alternatively, you can also use self-tapping wood screws & mount your bracket directly into your stud. Secure your brackets securely by using a drill & screwdriver bit. The brackets will support your rod along its length. The more brackets you will add, the greater the reinforcement will be.
Tips & Warnings
- Always try to wear safety glasses when using a power drill.
- The sturdy wooden dowel as a closet rod maybe all the reinforcement you will need.
- PVC pipe endcaps also extend farther out onto your closet rod to give extra support.