| Widening a Closet: Removing Old Shelving, Side and Half Walls |
From "Weekend Remodeling"
episode WKR-103 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Materials: 2 x 4's
1/2" drywall
Drywall finishing tools
Joint compound
Corner bead
Screw gun
Screws
Hammer
Nail gun/nails
Baseboard molding
Paint/paint supplies
Fluorescent light fixture
Closet organizing system The closet in the house on the show had a vanity, mirror and light fixture that had to be removed first. Host Fuad Reviz carefully removed the mirror from the wall, and then the counter top was removed with a pry bar. Screws were removed that held the sides in place and the rest was knocked out with a hammer. Expert Tip: In addition to the brackets that hold the mirror, it may also be attached with mirror masting. You need to be careful when removing a glued on mirror in order to avoid any breaking glass. - Before you remove any old light fixture, turn the power off from the breaker box.. It is a good idea to double-check the wires with a power meter (figure A). You need to cap off the wires with safety wire nuts if you will not be using that fixture again.
- Remove the old shelving. This is just a matter of unscrewing the braces (figure B) and removing the brackets and then the shelves.
- Even though you may know where the wires are, you need to cut only the depth of the drywall (figure C) because you never know when the wires might be running somewhere unexpectedly. Cut the drywall tape at the edges so that it will not damage the drywall you want left on the wall.
- At the corners there are metal beads. Measure back an inch and a quarter and then make a line using a level (figure D).
Expert Tip: When working around large industrial drywall, it is always best to play it safe and use eye protection and wear a dust mask. - Saw along the line you made with the utility knife (figure E).
- With the old light fixture wires capped off, pry the old light box off the outside of the closet wall (figure F). Find out which direction the wiring is coming from and get it out of the way so that you can keep it out of the way of the demolition and not accidentally cut it.
- With the shelving out, and the old wiring pulled aside, remove the old drywall (figure G). It is not difficult and comes off relatively quick.
Expert Tip: Drywall is a very versatile material and comes in 5/8th's thickness all the way down to one-quarter inch. It can be bent, shaped or drilled. The best part of all is that any do-it-yourselfer can do this job. - Corner beads are installed over drywall and need to be removed. Try not to destroy the drywall underneath. Use a pry bar to remove the nails.
- The studs are toe-nailed into the base plate along the bottom. In order to have your new floor even, you have to remove the base plate. First, you need to remove the studs. Knock out the middle stud first so you will have room to work.
- Knock down the nails in the bottom plate with a hammer to keep accidents from happening. Be careful removing the last studs so that you do not damage any part of the wall you plan to keep.
- Cut the head with a reciprocating saw (figure H) in order to reduce too much damage to the surrounding drywall.
- Use a small pry bar to gently remove the old baseboards (in case you want to use them again). Once the baseboard is removed, use a reciprocating saw to cut the studs on the inside of the wall. Make a nice clean cut down the length the half wall and then remove it.
RESOURCES :
Closets, Space and Storage (Home Repair and Improvement, Vol. 33)
Model: 0783539223
Author: Editors of Time Life Books
(September, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Time Life Books
Website: www.timelife.com
The Complete Guide to Home Storage (Black and Decker Home Improvement Library)
Model: 0865735816
Author: Editors of Creative Publishing International
(July, 2001)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Installing and Finishing Drywall
Model: 0806938854
Author: William Spence
(August, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Fireplace (Donated Closet System)
Contact: Glen Hutchinson
Phone: 865-970-0050, ext. 240
Paint (Pittsburgh Coatings and Supply Co.)
Pittsburgh Coatings and Supply Co
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: 865-525-2222
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
