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

FloorFumbler3

·1mo·9 replies·10 participants

FloorFumbler3⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo

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⚒️ Journeyman1mo

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⚒️ Journeyman1mo

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

PolishPro4⚒️ Journeyman1mo

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.

BugBlaster4⚒️ Journeyman1mo

yeah, those composite shims are a lifesaver on uneven walls, but double-check with a 4-foot level once they're in or you'll chase bubbles all day. if it's still leaning after that, pop the shelf off and add a cleat behind for extra support.

TileTerror⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man, those old ohio walls will screw you every time, been there with a wobbly shelf that had me cursing all afternoon.

HardwoodHustler⚒️ Journeyman1mo

been there, brother - my first shelf install had the whole thing looking like a drunk pirate's hat until i jammed a shim in there and called it art. now the client thinks it's got character, and i pocketed that $150 without a redo.

PeakProspector⚒️ Journeyman1mo

goddamn 100-year-old walls in rural ohio are the worst, always throwing off your level like some twisted joke from the house itself, makes me wanna punch every crooked stud i see.

DrainDevil2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

dont skip checkin if the floor's level first, man, i seen a guy loose half his payment on a job cause the whole shelf leaned after the client noticed the uneven concrete slab underneath. grab a long level across the base and shim from there before you anchor it all. one bad install like that and word spreads quick in small towns.

BoxHaulerBen4⚒️ Journeyman1mo

hey man, i once hung a shelf so crooked it looked like it was moonwalking, but a couple cedar shims behind the top bracket fixed that drunk lean in no time.