How to remove shelves from pantry?

[Savya01]

Hi I want to remove the bottom two shelves from the pantry. you can see there are 4 shelves. i just want to remove the bottom 2. How can i do so ? I am looking to install cabinets with slab. 

Note, i have tried to remove the white cap stickers and could not find anything behind them. There was just hole behind them. Is there something in the hole ?

[EricL]

Hello @Savya01 

In order to remove the shelves in your walk-in pantry, I suggest removing all the items on the shelves and examining the surface very well. Your goal is to look for the screws or nails that have been used to secure the shelves on the wall and supporting timber underneath. You mentioned that you found cap stickers on the surface but found nothing underneath, it's possible that the screw heads were covered in paint and it therefore looks like there is nothing there.

I suggest using a Philips screwdriver and scratching the surface of the hole to see if anything is there. If you do happen to find a screw, then it will need to be removed. It's a given that the shelves will need to be cut in order to take them out. I suggest using a ruler and pencil to indicate where you would like the cut to be, I would recommend doing the cut after the vertical panel so that the panel after it will still be supported even if the side panels have been taken out. I propose using a small handsaw or a multi tool to cut the shelf.

If you are lucky and have managed to remove all the fixings the shelf should in theory just slide out. But if not you'll need to continue looking for the other screws and nails that's holding it in place. However, if after searching and the panel is just stuck, as there is always the possibility that it has been glued in place. I suggest using a multi tool to cut the interior panel out, please make sure to wear ear protection, goggles, mask and gloves when cutting the panel out as it will generate a great deal of dust and noise.

These would be the general steps you'll need to take in order to remove the shelves in your pantry. You'll also notice that there are support panels under the shelves these will need to be removed as well by removing the screws that are holding them in place and pulling them off the wall. If they are stuck on with glue, you'll need to use a Craftright 380mm Wrecking Bar to lift them off the wall.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @Savya01 

Without removing all the things on your shelves it is a bit hard to see what steps to start with but will hazard a guess.

Just to add to @EricL 's suggestion, If you look at the corner section, you can see a piece of plastic that is between the two different horizontal pieces of timber.

The other connection points seem to be along the side walls and the rear wall and are probably held down via nails or screws.

Have a look for the nails or screws along the back top side of the shelf and the side of the timber shelf. If they are screws, remove them, if they look like nails then use a mallet and gently tap from the underside of the shelf and they plus the shelf should come up slowly, I wouldn't force it, just work your way along the shelf and then go back and go over the same underside area again. Hopefully it will pop up.

Then you hopefully be able to pull the horizontal shelf towards you to remove it. It could be a slotted type deal so slots overlap to give it strength.

Please NOTE *** Removing any of the shelves weakens the rest of the installation.

Note *** The vertical supports are still necessary at this point.

Note *** strong suggestion to remove the shelves in the same way for all the shelves, install the cupboards and then but the shelves back in.

The more I have thought about the process the firmer the suggestion to remove all the shelving first, then install the cupboards and then return the shelving shortened to fit.

Dave