Once the top fixed shelves are secured in their place, we will begin to level the units. It’s best to do this before you install any of the lower shelves as this will make the unit heavier. If you’ve laid down protective paper, or a throw blanket, now is the time to remove it.
Using the largest possible level for that space, place the level on top of the unit. You want to make sure any tall floor standing Gables are resting on the floor, this way the weight of the organizer isn’t solely relying on the rail. Use the screw on the underside of the suspension bracket to adjust as needed; clockwise will raise and counterclockwise will lower the Gable. Once the long gables are resting firmly on the floor, see that everything is level. If the floor isn’t level, you might have to use shims. Place the level on the top of the unit over each shelf to see that it is level and do this all the way across. When the unit is level you’ll want to make sure the unit is as snug to the wall as you can get. To do this we will tighten the suspension bracket using the back screw and place your finger between the rail and the wall so you can feel when the rail and cap starts to pull away from the wall. Stop here, do not over tighten, go ahead and do this to all the suspension brackets. Note that if the wall is bowed, adjust the suspension bracket as required along the length of the wall. Some gables you might need to adjust towards the wall and others away from the wall. Do this along the whole wall so that you limit the size of the gaps behind the organizer. When all the suspension brackets are snug, and the unit is completely leveled, you are ready for the next step.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PROCEDURE – DO NOT MISS!
Since the Sherwood Shelving™ organizer system uses suspended rails, it is important that the organizer is securely fastened to the wall with L-brackets.
Using a ¾” x ¾” L–bracket, locate the studs on the upside of the top shelves and install the L-bracket using a 1-1/2” flat screw to secure the L-bracket to the wall (screwing into the stud), and using the ¾” pan head screws to secure the L-bracket to the top of the fixed shelf. It is important that the organizer has already been adjusted tight to the wall (see step above). Try to mount an L-bracket as close as you can on either side of a gable. Remember, it is the gables that support all the weight.
The suspension bracket will support up to 140lbs of shear weight per gable when properly secured to the wall; however, there is a possibility that the whole organizer can leverage out and pull away from the wall. The L-brackets fastened to the top shelf will help prevent this from happening. Install 1 L-bracket wherever there is a stud located behind the wall. Use your discretion and install more L-brackets in inconspicuous locations wherever else you feel the organizer may require more support to prevent it from shifting side-to-side. Other locations could include an L-bracket on the middle and lower fixed shelf of a tower. You may also require L-brackets underneath a bottom fixed shelf to keep double hang sections secure to the wall.
It is also a good practice to use a 2 – 1/4” screw to secure end gables to the wall wherever possible. Placement of this screw should be approximately 4” from the top and bottom of the gables and approximately 1.5” from the back of the gable. In this position it is possible to fasten the gable to the corner stud. Colored screw caps can be used to hide the screw and give the installation a finished look.
