Atlanta sofa DIY repair

In detail: do-it-yourself atlanta sofa repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Any thing eventually deteriorates and upholstered furniture is no exception. But in the case of furniture, it is possible to restore its original appearance and properties. This article will discuss do-it-yourself sofa hauling. How, what and in what order to do, what materials to use.

Damage to a sofa or other upholstered furniture can be of different "severity". Depending on the existing injuries, a different set of work is required. Here's what could be with your furniture:

    Only the fabric has fallen into disrepair (the cats tore on the armrests, for example), i.e. there are no dips in the soft part and protruding parts. Then everything is more or less simple and you can do with replacing the upholstery fabric.

The easiest case is when you need to replace the fabric

This sufferer needs more than just a change of upholstery ...

So stretching the sofa can involve different jobs. From a simple upholstery replacement, to a complete renovation, including part of the frame. The most troublesome part is the spring blocks. This is a long and painstaking work. If the "historical accuracy" of your furniture is not important to you, it is easier to replace a failed spring block with foam rubber or (better, but more expensive) furniture silicone. If everything is done correctly, the sofa will become even more comfortable: incorrectly tightened springs cause a lot of inconvenience.

In general terms, let's talk about what the seat and back of the sofa can be made of. There are options:

  • Without springs:
    • High density foam rubber (polyurethane foam, also called polyurethane foam) (also called furniture).
    • Foamed latex. In terms of quality and convenience, it is better than foam rubber, but also much more expensive.
    • With springs:
      • with classic springs tied in one block;
      • snake springs that support the foam / latex filling.
      Video (click to play).

      When restoring a sofa, you need to examine the layers

      These are the most common types of sofa seats. In more expensive models, the spring block can be supplemented with a layer of polyurethane foam or latex, which makes the seat more elastic and comfortable at the same time. When tightening, then they look at the state of both parts, replace or leave - depending on the desire and capabilities.

      The structure of sofa seats can be multi-layered

      But these are not all layers. In addition to springs, polyurethane foam / latex, a synthetic winterizer or thermal felt (or ordinary felt) is also laid. This is if the sofa is more or less modern and not too expensive. Older exhibits may contain matting or burlap, batting (or something very similar), horsehair, dried seaweed and other materials that are now almost exotic for sofa stuffing. When repairing a sofa, they will need to be replaced with the same (if there is a desire to search) or similar in thickness and properties. So, in order to understand how the banner of the sofa should be made, first figure out what is inside it.

      The stretching of the sofa begins with its disassembly. In the process, you will be able to assess the extent of the damage and decide what exactly you need to do. For this part of the job, you will need:

      • a large screwdriver to unscrew the visible bolts (if any);
      • small flat-head screwdriver, pliers, or staple remover - to remove the staples that secure the upholstery.

      The main thing is to remove the old upholstery. Then everything will become clear

      Actually, that's all. First, we remove individual pillows, if any, remove the sidewalls. It is difficult to tell here - there are many designs. Look carefully to see if you find something. If you have pull-out parts, you can try to start with them.

      The next step is to separate the fabric from the frame. It is stapled to the timber frame.Hook the staples with a flat screwdriver, take out. Some can sit very tightly, it is easier to pull them out by grasping the raised back with pliers or pliers.

      We disassemble the sofa: remove the staples

      We remove the fabric carefully, trying not to damage it too much. We will then use it as a sample for the new upholstery of the sofa. There are several layers under the upholstery fabric. Maybe felt, synthetic winterizer, some kind of fabric. If the repair of the sofa was started only for the sake of replacing the upholstery, look at the condition of these materials. If there are signs of wear, it is best to replace it. After all, it will be a shame if, after a few months, the sofa is needed again, but this time due to the fact that the layers of the lining were worn away.

      If the sofa is old, there may be such a picture.

      After the fabric has been removed, it’s time to evaluate which parts you will need to change. Everything is clear with the upholstery and lining. It is advisable to keep the pie in the same composition. If old materials were used that are not on sale now or they are too expensive, replace them with modern counterparts. The main thing for folding sofas is to reach the same height of the seat and backrest, which were before, since the folding mechanisms are designed for certain parameters of the "cushions". In order not to be mistaken with the thickness of the materials, find the unworn (or least worn) areas and measure the thickness.

      This stage is needed if the seat of the sofa is uneven, there are humps and depressions, protruding springs (and from below too). In seats that consist only of foam rubber, everything is simple: they usually go for replacement. They can be made of high-density foam by folding several layers, you can order ready-made foam rubber in a store that sells furniture spare parts. It is wise to order the exact size (measured after the fabric and all layers have been removed) latex mattress.

      If there are springs in the sofa, removing all the covering layers, we get to them. If there are no burst springs, the frame and its connections are strong, without backlash and cracks, the support for the springs is in a normal state, you can stop at this. We change the covering layers, sew a new cover, stretch and fasten. This completes the stretching of the sofa.

      If there is any damage from the above, the spring block will have to be separated. It is attached to the frame frame using U-brackets or nails. Now you have completely disassembled your sofa into its components. Next is the replacement and repair of damaged parts, and then reassembly.

      To understand how to repair a sofa at home, you need to know what layers of materials and in what sequence are needed. For example, in a sofa seat with a spring block, the sequence will be as follows (from bottom to top):

        Plywood or timber frame... Plywood framing is more reliable, but longer and more difficult to make. Therefore, pine blocks are usually used. They are connected according to the thorn-groove principle, gluing the joint with wood glue. If desired, the connections can be reinforced with dowels or corners (aluminum).

      What layers should be in the sofa seat

      These are all layers and their features. You can add something (for example, a double layer of padding polyester), remove it is highly undesirable.

      "Snake" springs in expensive models are used as an additional means to increase elasticity. In budget models, a foam block can fit on this basis. They are attached to a wooden or metal frame across the seat - each spring separately. The installation step depends on the planned load. If your sofa begins to sag, or the springs have lost their elasticity, or are broken, it is treated with a replacement.

      To increase elasticity and extend the life of the sofa, the number of snakes can be increased when the sofa is stretched. Another option is transverse reinforcement with rigid corsage ribbons (which are used for straps on bags, backpacks).

      For durability and greater elasticity, use a corsage tape

      The tape is nailed from one side to the frame.Professional furniture makers then tighten it with a special tool, but you can replace it with a regular bar wrapped around in the middle with coarse-grain sandpaper. Wrap a couple of turns of tape on this bar, pull with both hands (make sure that the frame does not bend), fix the tape with staples or nails, release and cut off the excess. The same method is also suitable for extending the service life of a slat mattress.