How To Reinforce A Closet Rod (5 Brilliant Ideas)
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A closet rod allows you to hang clothes neatly, well-spaced, and with room between garments to allow airflow. It should keep clothes away from the base of the wardrobe or shelves below. Often, either because the rod becomes misshapen or because the fastenings holding the rod up have weakened, the closet rod can sag.
A sagging rod can lead to crumpled clothes. Fortunately, the rod is typically just a piece of metal or wood, and the brackets used to secure them are readily available, so replacing it isn’t a big deal. There are also a few steps you can take and ideas you can try implementing to stop the sag or prevent one from happening. Read on and try the following:
How To Reinforce A Closet Rod (5 Ideas)
1. Make a Hollow Rod Solid
Although a decent quality length of wood costs very little money, some closet manufacturers still insist on using hollow plastic rods. Others use metal because the material better suits the aesthetic of the closet. In either case, a hollow rod is more likely to crease, fold, or bend, causing it to sag.
Measure the internal diameter of the rod and get a solid wooden dowel with a slightly smaller diameter. Push the solid rod inside the hollow rod, trim it down to size, and replace it in the closet.
The tighter the fit, the less likely there will be any sagging, but if the internal dowel is too tight, you might struggle to get it all the way through. This method allows you to keep the look of the existing dowel while providing it with the extra strength it needs.
2. Add an Extra Bracket or Two
At the very least, closet rods are held up by a bracket at each end. If this is all the support that the rod has, and especially if it is a long rod, it won’t take much weight before the rod sags. Adding a bracket in the middle of the rod will provide additional support. Adding two brackets along the pole gives even greater strength.
Ideally, you can just measure the existing brackets and try to buy additional ones with precisely the same dimensions. Alternatively, you can measure the distance from the wall and the external diameter of the rod and make your own or buy them ready-made. Ensure the brackets are fixed firmly to the back wall of the closet, or add a shelf with brackets that hang down from the bottom.
3. Add a Prop
You can also add a prop underneath the rod. The prop will usually go from the base of the closet to the top and have a section that protrudes from it that the prop can sit in. In this instance, it works in the same way as an additional bracket and gives extra support. If the prop is fully secured, it can’t bend or sag like a bracket might and will take up minimal space within the closet.
4. Replace a Plastic Rod
Plastic rods will bend over time, and many hollow metal ones face a similar long-term fate. Solid wooden rods are the strongest and longest-lasting option. If you need to replace a plastic or wooden prop, the easiest option is to get a solid wooden one of the exact dimensions.
Take your existing plastic pole to the hardware store and have them cut a new one, or measure the diameter and length if you’re ordering online. A wooden prop will be heavier, and you may want to take the opportunity to replace any flimsy brackets that might diminish the overall strength of your clothes hanging solution.
5. Replace Damaged Brackets
The rod may not be the primary problem. If you have a very long closet rod and one or more of the brackets holding it in place have become damaged, replacing them will provide the rod with much-needed support. It is possible to make your own brackets, or you can buy them from a hardware store.
To ensure the brackets are secure, drill pilot holes and then use a drill and screwdriver bit to affix the brackets firmly. You shouldn’t need to glue the bracket or screw it into position.
Prevent Sagging
As well as fixing a saggy rod, you can also take some steps to reduce the amount of pressure you place on closet rods to prevent them from sagging in the future. Take the clothes out of the closet that you don’t wear. If you regularly find that your closet is stuffed to bursting, it may be time to upgrade to something larger, buy a second closet, or donate some old clothes to charity.
If you do have heavy jackets and other heavy clothing items, try to hang them near the ends of the rod or near any brackets that are installed. Add shelves where you can fold sweaters and evenly spread clothes across the rail rather than bunching them all up in one section.
Conclusion
The closet rod performs an often unsung but very important job. However, whether through poor material choice or regular use and wear, closet poles can start to sag. Consider replacing the bracket or the pole or installing extra brackets. If the pole is hollow, insert a solid wooden rod to strengthen it, and always make sure that the hangers are evenly spread across the closet rod to help prevent sagging in the future.
Fixing the bracket and rod not only reduces the pressure on your closet rod but also enables you to hang clothes with some space between them, allowing air to circulate freely between garments.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels
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