How can I hang a wooden medicine cabinet in my bathroom above the toilet? (i.e. screws? drywall anchors?)?
Question:I am home-improvement illiterate, but really need detailed instructions on how to hang the 23'' wide, 28'' tall cabinet on the wall. It's probably about 15 pounds (rough estimate) unfilled, probably about 25 pounds filled (another rough estimate).
Thanks!
Answers:
You need a stud sensor, they cost 10 dollars at the home center. You also need screws that are 13/4 inches longer that needed to get though the top support across the inside top of the cabinet, this is usually a 21/2inch screw because the support is usually 3/4inches thick. Using the stud sensor, find the center of two studs behind where you want to mount the cabinet. Measure from the sid wall to the center of the studs. Have someone hold the cabinet up where you want to mount it and measure in from the wall and mark the top inside support where the studs will hit. Mark the wall with a pencil on the outside of the cabinet so you install the cabinet is the same place you had it when you marked it. Drill two holes though the top back support where the marks are and holding the cabinet up to the side mark, drive the two 21/2 inch screws. It is possible that if you use very long screws you could hit wiring or plumbing in the wall.
Assuming studs are on 16 inch centers, 4 -6 2 inch sheet rockscrews will work. Make an effort to make them look pretty. Use a tape measure and level to attach. If studs not ideal, 4-6 2 inch toggle bolts will work. Stay away from electric wires and toilet vent . That should be centered behind the toilet bowl.
you can probably get away with using a heavy screw
You first need to locate on the wall, exactly where its gonna hang,like hold it on the wall and make light pencil marks as to the location of all 4 corners and then set cabinet down and all wall studs are installed on 16in. on center. You need to find the 2 wall studs that this cabinet will cover either with a stud finder or a drill with a 1/8in. drill bit and drill a few holes in the proximity of the studs to find the center of the studs then line the cabinet up to your corner marks knowing where the studs are now and use 2 1/4 in. drywall screws and run these screws thru the back of the cabinet into the wall/studs.
The first guy is right..another helpful hint is to use a 2x2 or a 1x2 on the wall to screw in to. The anchors will work for a small cabinet, but if anyone really yanks on the cabinet it has a good chance of falling. It will also tear the drywall out. If you do not want to buy the stud finder. Go to the corner of the wall, measure out 18 or 24 inches. Knock on the wall, and if it sounds more hollow, then try going from the other wall.
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