In order to make a cover, you must have basic sewing skills. If the sofa is of a complex shape, then you will have to work more. Fasten the finished cover with staples. If the stretching is carried out manually, then first the fabric is attached from the front side, at the attachment points it must be folded in half. After that, they are fastened from the opposite side, and then in the corners, making sure that the fabric is stretched and there are no folds.
In a similar way, the upholstery is replaced on all other structural elements. After that, the sofa is assembled in the reverse order.
This work is carried out in a similar way, but in this case we do not change the upholstery, most often these 2 operations are combined. The sofa is disassembled in the same way, the old foam rubber is removed and replaced with a new one, the thickness of which should be 35-40 mm.
The foam must be fixed, for this you can use glue or staples with which it is attached to the frame. A synthetic winterizer is placed on top, and covered with a cloth.
Disassembly of the structure is carried out in the same way. We assess the condition of the springs, if they are damaged, then we replace them. If the transformation mechanism is broken, then it must be replaced with a similar mechanism.
If, when examining the frame, you find damaged elements, then they must be replaced. If you cannot make them yourself, you can order them in the carpentry shop or purchase them in the store. New elements are fixed with glue or self-tapping screws.
Features of the restoration of the spring block. In sofas, springs of the old model can be installed, their diameter is 0.15 m, height is 0.20 m and thickness is 0.05 m, or the new model is height 0.12 m, diameter is 0.10 m and thickness is 0.02 m.
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The springs are connected to each other by a spiral, on one side its fixation is released and the spring or springs that have been damaged are unscrewed. If you see that many elements are in an unsatisfactory condition in the spring block of the sofa, then it is easier to replace it with a new block. Thus, you have familiarized yourself with the procedure for performing the main work on the restoration of the old sofa and now you can do everything yourself.
A sudden breakdown of the sofa transformation mechanisms can cause a lot of trouble for the owner. Squeaks, distortions, the inability to unfold and fold the sofa, sleep disturbances constantly remind us of the urgency of urgent repairs. You can, of course, contact the master and call a professional to fix everything, but often these breakdowns of the transformation of sofas can be corrected with your own hands. We will consider the main types of breakdowns and options for their solution in this article.
Today, furniture production has a large number of types and types of mechanisms. The photo below shows only some of them (the most common):
The click-gag mechanism has three positions, one reclining and two for sitting. It is usually installed on modern lamella-type models.
Meralax is one of the reliable French clamshell layout mechanisms. Has an orthopedic effect in two versions - lamellar and metal weaving.
The dolphin mechanism is exactly the option that combines compactness and convenience. A seat is attached to the side parts of the frame, pulling the mechanism out of the niche "towards itself" to the upper horizontal position for the transverse bar and we get a full-fledged berth.
This is the simplest of all existing mechanisms. In high-quality performance, it is stable and durable, but, as a rule, the metal from which it is made leaves much to be desired.
Mechanism "accordion" - one of the most popular mechanisms for transforming sofas, has three positions of the layout.
One part is motionless, the other two have movable parts fixed with locks.
Now it is installed mainly on modern models of upholstered furniture.
The most common mechanism is installed on a sofa bed. It is quite simple to lay out and has a number of advantages over other models. The whole structure is made of thick metal and quality rivets.
You can also familiarize yourself with other types of sofa transformation mechanisms in the article Overview of sofa transformation mechanisms.
The models shown in the photo have their own individual characteristics. Here, not only the angle of inclination plays a role, affecting the lowering and lifting of the weight, but also the material from which they are made.
Many manufacturers use thin-walled metal and very low quality rivets for these mechanisms, because of this, furniture becomes unusable in a very short time.
If it is not possible to replace the broken mechanisms with new ones, you can make repairs at home. Of course, it is not always possible to do everything as it should, but it is quite possible to extend and give a "second" life to furniture.
So, what in these mechanisms can be repaired at home:
Replace battens, nets and lamellas.
Replace springs, rivets.
Strengthen the frame by welding.
Replace rollers.
Before proceeding with the repair, you need to determine the extent and cause of the breakdown. As a rule, it is mainly the rivets of the guide bar that are bolted to the frame of the sofa that break here. They fly out completely or a depletion appears, leading to an increase in the gaps.
For work we need tools:
Drill or screwdriver
Rivets
Hammer
Anvil or any other massive stand
It is necessary to rigidly fix the mechanism on the surface of the table, for example, with the help of clamps. We drill a broken rivet with a drill, starting with a small drill and gradually moving to the desired size.
To select the required drill diameter, measure the riveting size and thickness with a vernier caliper. We insert into the hole, with the hat down, and the part that will be riveted should look up.
If it is not possible to repair the mechanism with rivets, the bar can be fixed with a bolt and nut.
Here it is very important to choose the right length so that the bolt does not rest on the frame from the inside, because it will not be very convenient to cut it after installation!
This design has a number of small details that affect the correct layout of the sofa. Naturally, the repair will have its own difficulties, but with the right approach, this issue can also be resolved.
The figure shows the main elements of the "accordion" (its most vulnerable parts), since they are the ones that carry the main load.
After the expiration of the operating time, some of them require, at best, repair, and at worst - replacement.
The rollers must be replaced ... At home, you can change the polyurethane base of the wheel by choosing the desired size (height). Having drilled out the mounting axle, it can be replaced with a regular bolt with two nuts for better wheel fixation.
Due to their rigidity and strength, beech lamellas are almost impossible to break, although there are exceptions to the rule. Basically, the fasteners that "hold" the lamella break.
The photo shows that the lamella insert is attached to the metal frame with rivets.
In specialized stores, almost all furniture fittings are sold, including the "pockets" we need.
To replace them, we need a drill, with which we need to drill out the rivets. We check their width and thickness so that there are no unnecessary gaps.
Riveting can be done with smaller and larger hammers or with a riveting tool.
But the best option for installing the lamella holder is a regular bolt and nut.
Today the mechanisms "Click Klyak" in terms of the quality of operation leave much to be desired. Manufacturers do not pay much attention to strength, relying on a large area of the frame (the larger the area, the more stable the product).
The body bends in places of localization of weight, since it is made of sheet iron, from this the transformation lock itself breaks.
Making repairs at home can be very problematic; only a complete replacement is possible.
In order for the mechanism to serve for a long time, it is necessary to lubricate the rubbing joints in time.
They are shown with arrows in the figure below.
A common cause of breakdown and rapid failure of the mechanism is the fastening bolts tightened at the wrong time between the wooden frame and the mechanism.
During operation, large gaps appear, which lead to distortions and depletion.
The pull-out mechanism of the sofa is one of the most durable and reliable structures, but, as it turned out, it can become unusable in a very short time.
The reason for this fragility is in poor-quality layout elements, in particular, in the rollers. For reliable disassembly and assembly of the mechanism, the rollers must rotate easily and slide freely over the surface.
Watch a video of how a home craftsman changes the guide roller of a sofa with Dolphin mechanism:
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In this article, only the main reasons and options for breakdowns of the transformation mechanisms of sofas were described, which, without special preparation, can be performed by almost any owner.
You should always remember what to produce overhaul only a trained specialist with the necessary set of tools will be able to lay out the sofa. He will always be able to accurately determine and eliminate the cause of the breakdown at a quality level.
Without proper experience, such a repair can lead to even greater malfunctions, therefore, if a problem is found, carefully study the cause of the breakdown of your favorite sofa, evaluate the complexity of the structure and your strength, as well as if you still decide to repair the mechanisms of the sofa with your own hands , be very responsible about the process itself.
It happens that after several years of use the sofa needs to be replaced with a spring. What to do: send it to the landfill or try to fix the situation? Let's talk further about how to do it yourself repairing sofas at home replacing springs, their species characteristics and much more.
The sofa has several structural elements that provide its user with high comfort, comfortable rest, relaxation of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system: springs, frame, upholstery. When choosing a specific model, you need to pay attention to their quality so that the product does not require repairs for a long time.
If the upholstered furniture is made of quality materials, it will have a long service life. But sometimes even first-class models need to be repaired after some time of operation.
Replacing the spring system of sofas of different sizes, colors and configurations is required in a number of cases:
the model served for a very long time, so the springs weakened their action. As a result, there are dents and bulges on the seated surface, and it is not very comfortable to use the product, especially when unfolded;
it is necessary to repair furniture if the spring structure used in the manufacturing process had a factory defect, low quality, and so on, but this fact became clear only after some time of furniture operation;
repairs may be necessary when the level of rigidity of the spring elements was chosen irrationally, that is, they are not suitable for its owners in terms of comfort and rigidity. But, unfortunately, such a characteristic as the level of rigidity cannot be adjusted in a significant way. You can either replace the spring system with another model, softer or harder, or slightly soften the mattress with foam rubber.
One of the most important criteria in terms of the comfort of such furniture is a block with practical springs. Repairing sofas at home may require replacing all the elements, but before starting work, you need to determine what type of these elements is present on the sofa. Modern manufacturers use these types of springs.
Note that the service life of the described types of modern systems is different, which also affects the final cost of the sofa. The most durable and expensive designs are those with a block of independent springs, and the most affordable options are on a flat spring snake.
Bonnel block Independent springs Snake
Self-repair of a sofa in a living room or kitchen can save a lot, because the services of professionals in this area can be expensive, and the springs they offer to replace old ones can have a higher cost than their counterparts in the store. It is not difficult to replace the springs of the sofa with your own hands if you prepare carefully for the work: purchase new structural elements, acquire up-to-date tools, draw up detailed instructions for performing operations.
To repair the spring block of a sofa with your own hands, you will need to have the following tools at your disposal:
yardstick;
a wrench for disassembling the sofa frame;
flat screwdriver for removing the brackets on the upholstery;
pliers for replacing metal products;
a clerical knife or scissors for cutting the underlay;
construction stapler for fixing the upholstery to the frame.
If you want to renovate your sofa without involving the services of professional furniture makers, you should carefully study the procedure. You need to start by disassembling the sofa, or rather, by disconnecting its side parts with a wrench. Do not allow these structural elements to fall freely after dismantling, mark each of them so as not to confuse the left and right parts during subsequent assembly. Further, the mechanisms are dismantled, the seat, the back and, if available, the pallet are disconnected in turn.
To dismantle the covers, you will need to use pliers. With their help, carefully, without jerking, pull out the fastening brackets. Otherwise, the upholstery could be damaged.
Dismantling the sofa should start by removing the side elements Disassembled sofa
Pull out the mattress, go to repair the springs. With the help of a damp cloth, it is worth removing dust from the surface of the structure, and then carefully inspect all the springs. Remove the damaged springs with pliers and replace with new ones. Next, cover the spring block with a foam mat or other material to extend its life.
Carefully remove the upholstery Damaged spring Spring fastening options
The fact is that during the operation of the sofa, differences are created between those springs, which are exerted by the weight of a person, and those springs that remain unused. This leads to deformation of the spring block and the need for its repair. If you fill the gaps between the springs with foam rubber, as well as cover the entire mattress with a similar material, this can somewhat smooth out the load drop.Ultimately, the sofa mattress will last longer.
The distance between the springs should be filled with foam rubber
If you need to replace a large number of springs in the sofa in a large, one-piece Bonnel unit, it is easier to purchase a new unit. If only one or two springs stick out, then only these elements are subject to replacement, and it is not rational to change the entire block.
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Regardless of the quality of the furniture in the room, sooner or later it falls into disrepair. Then you need to carry out, for example, do-it-yourself sofa repair. To do this kind of work, you need to stock up on a set of attributes for editing, personal desire and the ability to interact with different materials.
The success in carrying out repair activities directly depends on the state in which the frame base is located. Moreover, an old-style sofa made of chipboard is much more difficult to fix than it can be done with a more modern analogue on wood.
Having studied in detail the design features of this piece of furniture, you can get down to work.
You can restore an old sofa by repairing or replacing the main elements in the form of legs, supports, locks and an upholstery layer. All of these types of work require special attention.
There are many models of sofas, but each of the varieties has its own inherent details:
armrests are made of wood, metal, MDF or chipboard, providing softness or rigidity;
the unevenness of upholstery fabrics, represented by leather or leatherette;
inner layer of padding polyester, batting or furniture foam rubber;
the use of polyurethane foam to improve the shock absorption properties;
installation of a spring block;
the use of burlap to prevent squeaks during operation;
the frame is made of natural wood or chipboard.
Attention! The quality and duration of the period of use of the sofa depends on the use of high-quality materials for the construction of the frame structure and the correctness of the installation. Substantial importance is attached to the inner filling, which affects comfort and safety.
Remember! You need to disassemble the sofa from the side parts, then the back and seat are removed.
the sofa-book is used most often;
the eurobook is transformed by moving the seat with the backrest unfolding;
the eurobook "tick-tock" moves in a circular position;
The accordion is presented in 3 parts, which are rarely repaired;
the "click-gag" device is represented by the following positions: assembled, unfolded in half and completely;
the dolphin design can be seen in the angle-type movements.
To understand how to repair a sofa, you need to understand the features of the breakdown. If the transforming structure has failed, you need to replace it in the model under consideration with similar parts.
The best examples of sofas are mechanisms on a spring frame covered with burlap or batting. However, such designs will be expensive. Often, in order to reduce the price, manufacturers take coarse calico and foam rubber. In cheaper versions of sofas, blocks on springs are not installed. To fill the sofa from the inside, polyurethane foam is taken and laid in a thick layer.
Repair of an old sofa should be carried out using only high-quality materials, which will significantly extend its service life. So, the thickness of polyurethane foam should not be less than 40 cm. The holofiber used allows you to wash the structure, the synthetic winterizer is able to emphasize the embossed pattern of the sofa, does not absorb moisture. Periotek has a high base strength and is not afraid of high temperatures. For spring varieties, it is best to use a 5 cm quilted jacket, trimmed with a layer of stiff fabric.
You can replace the outer upholstery yourself. For this, fabrics are taken: leather, velor, flock, tapestry, jacquard, chenille.Skin wrapping is performed by specialists due to the complexity of such work. Other types of fabric allow you to repair yourself.
Basic tools for sofa recommendation.
After examining the design features of the sofa and choosing the right fabric, you can begin work to restore its previous appearance. To do this, you need to prepare a number of attributes:
Before carrying out the main work, the sofa must be disassembled. So that in the future there are no difficulties with the assembly, it is important to remember the order of the parts. To do this, they are numbered or captured on camera. After disassembly, the mechanisms are inspected. Strong wear indicates the need to replace them.
First, the side parts are removed, the seat rises and the bolts are unscrewed. Then the main device is taken out, which is responsible for the transformation of the model. The seat, backrest and frame must be unscrewed. Other elements of the sofa are also removed, leaving only the skeleton.
Old upholstery must be removed very carefully to avoid damage. This canvas will be used as a pattern for the new coating. To dismantle the cushions, they are disconnected from the folding device. Old screws are unscrewed from each side.
You can use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old upholstery fabric. The bracket is pushed on to it, the part gradually swings and is finally removed with pliers. Next, the sheathing is removed, the quality of the lining is checked. In good condition, it can remain in the same place, after which a new skin is pulled from above.
Next, the cover is sewn. To do this, you need to have skills in working with a sewing machine. The finished coating is secured with staples. At the time of determining the fabric on the surface, it is important to monitor its evenness, there should be no folds or wrinkles on it. Manual replacement of the upholstery involves strapping the front side; at the fixation points, the fabric is folded 2 times. Then you can go to the other side and subsequently to the corners.
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The rest of the device can be repaired in the same way. Before starting work, you can put an additional pad under the fabric, which will increase the life of the sofa. The attachment points can be treated with special glue, which will give the fabric the desired hardness, and the fastener will be securely performed.
Repair of a sofa, associated with replacing foam rubber, is carried out according to the previously discussed scheme, often combining these types of work. The structure is analyzed according to the same scheme, the old filling is removed, it is immediately replaced with a new one. The thickness of this coating corresponds to 35-40 mm.
Spring block device diagram.
To fix the foam rubber, a construction stapler or adhesive is used, they allow you to fix it on the frame. A synthetic winterizer is laid on it, which is covered with matter from the outside.
Sofa repair is often associated with the replacement of springs and the transformation mechanism. Such repair activities are carried out when these elements cannot be restored. They are replaced with similar new parts.
In sofas, springs of the old or new type are installed, which differ in size.
Failed, these elements are easily replaced. For this, the old part is cut with pliers and a new one is screwed in. Then all the components are tied with a strong rope. Sagging springs can be replaced by taking these parts from a discarded sofa. Slightly bent elements can be easily straightened by hand, without removing the block. Otherwise, it is necessary to completely replace the system, which includes a layer of batting, then it will be possible to avoid the squeak of the seat.
You can extend the time of using the sofa in this way: the volumetric foam rubber is cut with a clerical knife, and the spring block is filled with it. Then it is covered with a dense cloth, for this a thick blanket is taken, which is nailed to the frame base with carnations.
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The top is filled with foam rubber, its height corresponds to 4 cm.It can also be fixed with nails or staples, keeping a distance of 3-4 cm. Unnecessary ends of this material are cut off.
Such simple tips will help you cope with the task of how to fix a sofa without resorting to the help of specialists.
Do-it-yourself sofa repair in classic style
At home, wear and tear on furniture is inevitable. The solution to the problem can be the restoration of the sofa with your own hands. Most often, external elements require replacement, regardless of the type and quality of the material. The fabric fades in the sun, it is rubbed, the foam rubber loses its elasticity and sags.
Do-it-yourself banner and small repair of a corner sofa
Benefits of DIY restoration:
buying material is several times cheaper than new furniture;
preservation of antiques;
choice of colors and designs, according to personal tastes and the general interior of the room;
independent choice of material for quality, environmental friendliness, cost;
the ability to take into account the weak points of the old sofa, their strengthening.
Broken sofa folding mechanism
In addition to external wear, internal breakdowns occur over time. A creak appears somewhere, the folding mechanism does not work, the springs break through.
Repair of the interior of the sofa - replacement of springs
Lubricate the creaking parts of the folding mechanism
The wooden base may crack, break. In order for the restoration of an old sofa with your own hands to be of high quality, you need to know its approximate structure and repair methods.
Cracked bar - part of the base
Bed base requiring replacement
Restoration of a Soviet sofa - new life for old furniture
Conventionally, the sofa can be divided into four parts. This is a wooden base made of solid wood and chipboard, steel springs and a folding mechanism, filler (foam rubber or batting) and upholstery (fabric, leather, leatherette), decorative elements (wooden plates, buttons).
The process of stretching a soft sofa step by step
There are several ways to restore a sofa with your own hands, depending on the complexity:
minor repairs of upholstery and decor;
complete replacement of upholstery (banner);
replacement of upholstery and filler;
replacement of upholstery, filler, repair of mechanisms;
complete repair of all parts.
Repair of the spring mechanism, replacement of the filler and upholstery of the sofa-couch
Do not get down to business when it comes to antiques, or the old sofa has complex structural elements. It is also better to entrust work with capricious materials, such as leather, to professionals, or change the material to fabric.
Conversion of a leather sofa after restoration by specialists
Tools and materials required for the repair of upholstered furniture
Restoring an old sofa will take time. It is a creative process that requires desire, tools, and good material. Everything you need to repair a standard sofa 180 * 90 is shown in the table. It is better to purchase filler and fabric for upholstery with a margin.
DIY materials and accessories for repairing a sofa
The following tools may be required:
construction glue;
furniture stapler;
strong nylon thread, and a needle to it;
box wrench, pliers, screwdriver;
jigsaw, as a last resort, an ordinary saw (if chipboard replacement is required).
Variety of tools for furniture repair
Cut the fabric into a cover in advance. Sewing dense elements is difficult, so the production of the material can be ordered by a seamstress. In order not to be mistaken with the dimensions, use the old fabric as a template. When cutting, be sure to leave 5-10 centimeters, for fastening, take into account the height of the seat (width of the back).
We check the frame and base of the sofa, make a replacement in case of breakage
Before restoring the sofa with your own hands, you need to check the condition of the main frame. If there are cracked or sagging bars, it is best to replace them. An array of wood rarely requires repair, but laminated chipboard breaks often. It is not worth repairing, here you need to completely replace the broken part.
We drag the lower base of the sofa, take the old upholstery as a template
The repair of the back, seat and armrests is slightly different, but in general, the restoration scheme for different parts is about the same.
We replace the upholstery on the inside of the armrests, replace the filler and sew a new cover
First of all, you need to carry out dismantling work:
remove the side armrests (usually the bolts on them are made from the inside, here you may need a hex wrench or pliers);
remove the seats and backs from the fasteners to the lower frame;
remove the old upholstery, remove the staples too;
carefully dismantle the old filler, check for suitability for reuse;
remove the springs, check their condition, if necessary, clean, lubricate, replace in whole or in part;
check the condition of the chipboard, replace the sheets if necessary.
We replace the outer part of the armrests and connect both parts together
It is better to put all small parts from parsing into one container so as not to lose.
We fix the upholstery at the base, use a hammer and a stapler if necessary
At the second stage, we replace the old elements. It is best to use both glue and a stapler to hold the parts together. But if necessary, you can get by with handy means. For example, instead of a stapler, use small carnations:
lay a dense fabric on both sides of the spring block, bend the edges inward on each side and sew with nylon thread;
lay the spring frame on a wooden base, fix the springs through the fabric with a stapler. If there is no tool, you can make arcuate staples from steel wire, or from thin nails, hammering the "head" to the side;
put in new, or fit old, filler;
pull off the entire structure with a fastening cloth, in the manner of upholstery, fix it;
put on a new cover, secure with glue and a stapler.
It's the turn of our wondrous back - we are doing the work according to the same principle
We fix the outer part of the sofa, decorate with beautiful legs and decorate with buttons - we get a great new sofa
Do-it-yourself sofa restoration is an interesting activity, as well as decorating it. Here you can simply lay beautiful pillows, or make a carriage tie.
Diy carriage tie for the back of the new Diana
Usually the backs are decorated in this way, leaving the seats solid. The tie elements are simple, you need to prepare buttons, or metal rivets. Cross diagonals can be emphasized with tape. In order for the foam to lie flat, you need to cut out small circles from the filler at the replacement stage - places for future buttons. Then, cover with fabric and sew on the selected elements. You can use a stapler or strong thread to tighten the buttons on the other side.
DIY upholstered furniture repair
If the structure contains elements made of wood, you can glue a figured wooden array in color on the front of the armrests. Then all the pieces of furniture are assembled back. It is important to check all fasteners so that nothing comes off during operation. That's all, the restoration of the old sofa is over!
Restoration of an old sofa - photo before and after constriction
Antique upholstered sofa with wooden elements after restoration
Video (click to play).
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