DIY Network

Redoing the Den: How to Install a Wet Bar Here are some great tips and techniques for installing a wet bar with pre-existing plumbing fixtures. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-109

Dave and Melanie choose a warm, neutral color for their family room but when their custom cabinets for the wet bar arrive they realize there’s a problem, the cabinets don’t fit! Facing a no-return policy the Glenn’s hire a handyman crew to remove the trim piece on their closet/bar. Will this simple measuring mistake put them over their budget?

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Materials:

cabinets
drill
screws
level
tape measure
stud finder
carpenters pencil
quick clamps
shims
finish nail gun
jigsaw

Installing a Wet Bar Tip:

• When installing cabinets remove the doors for easier access, easier installation and lighter weight.

Safety Alert:

• Always wear protective eyewear when working with power tools.

Installing a Wet Bar:

• Measure the back wall of the bar; make marks where the cabinets will sit. Set the smaller side cabinet into the corner of the space.

• The Glenn’s had existing pluming in this area, so Amy measures the pluming fixtures and transfers her measurements to the back of the center cabinet (figure A).

• Amy holds the cabinet while Melanie drills a pilot hole for the pluming. Amy cuts the plumbing hole out of the cabinet with a jigsaw.

• Amy and Melanie lift the center cabinet together and set it over the pluming fixtures (figure B). They set the other side cabinet next to the center.

• They quick clamp the side and center cabinets together, making sure the faces of the cabinets are flush (figure C).

• Amy drills a pilot hole where she will attach the cabinets together. Then she drills a screw into the hole (figure D). She repeats this for each cabinet screwing together the fronts and backs, preserving the gap at the backs of the cabinets (figure E).

  Tip: Rubbing bar soap onto the screw will keep the screw from splitting the wood on your cabinets.

• Amy checks for plumb and level, using shims to level the cabinets (figure F). Amy finds the studs and secures the cabinets to the wall (figure G).

• Melanie and Dave decide to hire a crew to mount a custom granite tile countertop, install their sink and reattach their plumbing.

RESOURCES :

Handyman Matters
Website: www.handymanmatters.com

kitchen cabinets
Home Clearance Center
Website: www.buynewkitchen.homestead.com

GUESTS :

Adam Berlin
General Contractor
Maverick Home Remodeling Inc.
Website: www.RenewTheHome.com