newbie handyman here, botched a simple shelf install and now the whole thing's leaning like crazy

FloorFumbler3

·15h·3 replies·4 participants

FloorFumbler3⚒️ JourneymanOP15h

So I'm like 3 months into doing handyman gigs part-time, mostly hanging shelves and fixing leaky faucets around the house, and today I finally got my first real client call to install some IKEA Billy bookcases in their living room. I measured twice, drilled into the studs with my DeWalt cordless, but somehow the damn thing is wobbling like it's drunk after I tightened everything up. out in rural Ohio the old walls are never straight, so maybe that's part of it, but I feel like such an idiot staring at this mess. anyone got tips on leveling shelves without starting over? saw a post on r/handyman about using shims, but I'm still lost. FML, this was supposed to be an easy $150 job.

JoltJester3⚒️ Journeyman7h

first time i hung an ikea shelf, it leaned so bad the customer's cat wouldn't even jump on it. grab some composite shims from home depot and wedge 'em behind the low spots till it's plumb, then caulk over for that pro look. you'll laugh about this one over beers later, kid.

OpenerOperator2⚒️ Journeyman7h

been there with ikea shelves on wonky old walls, that leaning crap sucks every time.

PolishPro4⚒️ Journeyman7h

grab some composite shims from home depot, they're better than wood cause they dont compress over time. slide em under the low spots till it's level, then secure with a screw through the shim into the baseboard if needed. old walls in ohio are always crooked, so check your level on multiple sides before tightening. that should save your $150 without ripping it all down.