Leveling a wall mount, especially for a television or shelf, is crucial for a secure and aesthetically pleasing installation. The key to achieving this is using a leveling tool throughout the process.
Why Leveling is Essential
Proper leveling ensures that your mounted item hangs straight and reduces stress on the mounting hardware by distributing weight evenly. A crooked mount is not only unsightly but can potentially lead to instability over time.
The Leveling Process
Leveling is most critical when you are attaching the mounting plate – the piece that screws directly into your wall studs or anchors – to the wall.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Position the Mounting Plate: Hold the mounting plate against the wall where you intend to install it.
- Use Your Leveling Tool: Place a good quality level on or against the top edge of the mounting plate.
- Adjust Until Level: Slowly adjust the position of the mounting plate until the bubble in your level is perfectly centered between the lines. This indicates the plate is horizontal (or vertical, depending on the orientation you are checking).
- Mark Pilot Holes: While holding the plate steady and level, use a pencil to mark the locations for your pilot holes through the mounting plate's screw holes.
- Re-Check Level: Before drilling, remove the plate momentarily and re-align it with your pencil marks. Place the level on it again to double-check that your marks correspond to a perfectly level position.
- Drill and Install: Drill the pilot holes as marked. Then, position the mounting plate once more, aligning the holes, and insert the mounting screws. As you tighten the screws, periodically check the level again to ensure the plate doesn't shift out of level.
To do so, you must use a leveling tool. Using a good quality level throughout the entire installation will be helpful, but especially during the part of the process when attaching the mounting plate to the wall.
Useful Tips for Leveling
- Choose the Right Level: A standard spirit level (bubble level) is common. For longer mounts, a longer level provides better accuracy. Some modern mounts even have small levels built-in or include one in the box.
- Multiple Checks: Don't just level once. Check before marking, after marking, and again as you partially tighten screws.
- Types of Levels:
- Spirit Level: Uses a bubble in liquid.
- Laser Level: Projects a level line onto the wall (useful for marking multiple points).
- Digital Level: Provides an angle reading digitally.
- Consider Vertical Level: For mounts that also require vertical alignment, use the level to check plumbness as well.
Tools Required
A few basic tools are essential for this task:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Leveling Tool | Ensures horizontal/vertical alignment |
| Pencil | Marking screw locations |
| Drill/Driver | Creating pilot holes and driving screws |
| Stud Finder (Optional but Recommended) | Locating secure mounting points |
By carefully using a leveling tool, particularly when securing the mounting plate, you can ensure your wall mount is installed correctly and securely.
