DIY suspended ceiling repair

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

Stretch ceilings are a fairly durable and reliable coating that serves with respect for several decades. But no one is immune from various force majeure situations. A nuisance can happen at any minute: the ceiling sheet can accidentally be damaged by something sharp, a fire can happen, or your apartment will be flooded by the neighbors from above. Do-it-yourself ceiling repair requires utmost care and attention, however, it allows you to avoid high costs as a result.

First you need to find out what such a ceiling is. The suspended ceiling is a vinyl chloride film that is welded using a special seamless technology. Ceiling repair price will delight you! The repair work of such a ceiling implies the correction of tears or surface defects, which has one level, or is made in the form of various fastening systems and waves.

Image - DIY suspended ceiling repair

When operating a suspended ceiling, to avoid complete alterations and frequent repairs, certain rules should be followed:

  • You cannot heat the stretch ceiling to a temperature of 70 degrees and above, because this can provoke melting of the edges that hold the surface, and this, in turn, is fraught with tears and sagging.
  • In a room where a similar ceiling is installed, it is recommended to maintain the temperature above zero, because a lower temperature promotes crystallization of the material, the stretch ceiling can simply burst.
  • Repair of ceilings is needed when their surface is damaged by various sharp objects. To prevent this during operation, contact with any such elements should be avoided. This circumstance must be taken into account during repair work, which requires special care, since the film is very easily torn.
  • Stretch ceilings can withstand the weight of cold water, but not hot water - the film simply stretches and bursts. Therefore, a simple repair in this case will not help; the ceiling must be completely replaced. The film can be dried when flooded with cold water, all electrical and lighting devices are then installed in place.
Video (click to play).

Most of the suspended ceilings, being damaged, cannot be repaired, but need to be replaced. However, there are situations when it is possible to save the ceiling by repairing it in a timely manner. To be convinced of this, one has only to look at the photo of the repair of ceilings.

Regardless of the fact that the stretch ceiling is highly durable, punctures and cuts in the canvas still happen. If the ceiling is made of PVC, then only specialists will be able to assess the scale of the repair work. If the canvas is not torn too much, you can carefully glue it. If the ceiling is significantly damaged, then from an economic point of view, it is not profitable to repair it.

If a puncture occurs on a seamless ceiling made on a fabric basis, then it will be possible to repair it with your own hands. Cover the cut carefully with a piece of fiberglass or cloth tape. Then paint the stretch ceiling so that the patch merges with the background. If the incision is small, then it will be possible to sew it up with nylon threads, and then tint it with paint so that the seam does not catch the eye.

In case of leaks and flooding, you should act very carefully, otherwise you can ruin the entire ceiling. To drain the accumulated water and return the ceiling to its original appearance, you need to dismantle one corner of the suspended ceiling, drain the water, then dry the canvas, place it back in the baguette and heat the ceiling with a heat gun, if it is made of PVC. After that, the ceiling in your home will look like it did after installation.

In the event of a leak, if the weight of the water on the ceiling exceeds the established norm, in most cases baguettes leave the walls. This can often be due to a poorly executed installation.In many companies, the above case is under warranty, so the cost of repairing the ceiling should not bother you. The warranty period for the installation of stretch ceilings is usually 3 years.

The sagging of the stretch ceiling occurs for two reasons: if the suspended ceiling is more than ten years old or when the canvas was unevenly stretched during installation. Usually, similar situations happen with Chinese and domestic canvases. You can eliminate the sagging by tightening the canvas. Also, the ceiling can sag from the temperature rise in the room.

Image - DIY suspended ceiling repair

There are also several reasons for rupture: poor-quality welding of the tension cloth, ceiling tension above the norm, poor quality of the material. In such a situation, it is unlikely that it will be possible to carry out repairs and will have to change the canvas.

Most often, ceiling repairs involve only a small incision that needs to be repaired. But with such damage, it should be remembered that repairs can only be carried out if a seamless fabric was installed on the ceiling.

It is customary to repair the ceiling by the following methods:

  1. For small cracks, holes and gaps up to 2 centimeters, you can use regular tape and adhesive to tighten the edges. Stop the main defect increase in time.
  2. When gluing the film with patches, it is recommended to select the material of the same texture and color so that it does not stand out. For this, it is better to put the patch from the inside and gently pull off the edge of the damaged area from the front side with your own hand. In this place, you can mount a patch in the form of an applique, or simply install a lighting shade.
  3. If it is not possible to repair the stretch ceiling with the help of adhesive tape, then you can take glass wallpapers, which are usually installed at the site of the defect. Such repair of ceilings with wallpaper ensures reliability and high quality.
  4. If the ceiling is damaged along the seam, then it is impossible to make repairs with your own hands. We'll have to change the entire film. This can happen for reasons such as poor-quality material or installation, poor fabric welding, excessive stress.

The big advantage of stretch ceilings is that it is very unlikely that flooding will damage the floor, walls and furnishings. The material can withstand tension and significant loads without breaking through.

Water accumulates between the stretch ceiling and the film. Therefore, it can be carefully removed by making a small hole in the film. To avoid making holes, you can use lighting fixtures instead of installation, then the coating will remain intact. After dismantling the film, the stretch ceiling takes on its previous shape.

Image - DIY suspended ceiling repair

In case of leakage and flooding, you need to find out what temperature the water had. If it was cold, then the film must be removed and dried, its properties will not change after that. But at a high temperature, the material will stretch, and there is nothing you can do about it. At very low temperatures, for example, in unheated rooms, the canvas can also be severely damaged: the used material simply crystallizes, losing its properties, after which it can easily burst.

The service life of stretch ceilings differs from different manufacturers, but on average it reaches fifteen years. Although with regular and careful care, as well as careful treatment, such a coating can last thirty years. It is easy enough to damage the suspended ceiling in the first time after its installation, when the film is still too stretched. Therefore, it is better not to touch the ceiling or try to clean the coating.

Stretch ceilings are resistant to many influences, durable, do not require complex maintenance, and have a very attractive appearance. But regardless of this, for such a surface, some care and regular inspection are still necessary. Maintenance of a suspended ceiling involves the use of the simplest cleaning agents, clean rags and a soft sponge.In this case, the composition of cleaning agents should not contain various solvents and abrasive coarse particles.

For example, substances for cleaning ceramics and glass with solvents are not suitable for this purpose, because the film can be easily damaged and scratched. It is also not recommended to buy toilet soap. A cloth and a sponge for cleaning on the surface should not leave separate fibers, because they will spoil the appearance, and brushes, even with gentle and very soft bristles, can easily damage the stretch ceiling and break through its surface.

When washing a stretch ceiling under the pressure of a hand or a mop, the fabric may bend. This is not something to worry about, but you should not increase the pressure. The material of the stretch ceiling is very durable, as it is impregnated with special compounds, and the structure is able to withstand strong tensions and significant loads. In addition, do not damage the film with a blunt object.

Cleaning, like repairing ceilings with panels, is still carried out quite rarely, because the material has antistatic properties, dust and dirt do not stick very much. In addition, stretch ceilings are not a source of crumbling whitewash and plaster particles. It is allowed to use a regular vacuum cleaner about once a month. Such simple maintenance will ensure the safety and cleanliness of the surface.

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If greasy stains appear on the stretch ceiling, this is especially possible in kitchens, then it is permissible to use an ordinary dishwasher, which is simply washed off. Condensation stains in the bathroom can be simply wiped off with a soft sponge. Repairing the ceiling with tiles is only necessary if chemically active substances get on the suspended ceiling.

The space between the surface of the ceiling itself and the film also needs regular inspection and maintenance. However, if the film is correctly mounted, and all communications are laid over it in accordance with the requirements and standards, such work is extremely rare.

Thus, repair of a stretch ceiling is required when the fastening system or its surface is damaged. After watching a video on repairing ceilings, leaks and flooding can be added to these situations. There are not many such cases, usually all work is carried out quickly, and a complete replacement of the web is required only when the film breaks or bursts over a large area. However, subject to simple recommendations and rules for the operation of such materials, maintenance and periodic inspection of coatings, the stretch ceiling will last a long time.

The content of the article:

  1. Damage types
  2. Repair methods
    • Cuts and tears
    • Flooding
    • Thermal impact
    • Sagging
    • Installation errors

  3. Operating rules

The fabrics of stretch ceilings are materials made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride film or mesh polyester fabric impregnated with polymers. The potential of their possibilities when decorating interiors is truly endless. But graceful stretch ceilings are not free from disadvantages: they are very sensitive to mechanical stress, temperature changes and deformation for various reasons. When doing a stretch ceiling repair with your own hands, you must observe the utmost care and accuracy in work, this will allow you to avoid significant costs in the future.

Stretch ceiling structurally consists of a metal frame and a canvas fixed to it. There is always an air gap between the decorative coating and the base of the ceiling. This makes the stretched fabric vulnerable to various influences both from the inside and from the outside.

The stretch ceiling may need repair for the following reasons:

    Cut, puncture or tear when moving furniture or otherwise;

Water penetration under the canvas when the room is flooded by the neighbors of the upper floors;

Melting of material near installed lamps or by negligence;

Sagging of the canvas due to incorrect tension or an increase in the temperature in the room;

  • Defect in material and errors in the installation of the ceiling.
  • Consider the options for repairing the ceiling in each of the above cases.

    A cut, puncture or rupture of the ceiling panel most often occurs in the first time after its installation, when the respectful attitude of the owners to the subject of their interior has not yet been formed. The reason for its damage may be the corner of the cabinet, when carrying it, it touches the stretch ceiling, a children's toy thrown up with sharp edges, or careless work with tools during the installation of the lamp.

    If a hole of less than 1 mm is formed in the ceiling as a result of a puncture, it can simply be smeared with glue. After that, the spread of the canvas will become impossible, and the puncture site will be practically invisible.

    It is not difficult to repair a fabric stretch ceiling when it is cut up to 10 cm long. To avoid spreading of the panel, you need to quickly fix the edges of the "wound" with double-sided or masking tape.

    With a similar damage to the PVC stretch ceiling, the initial actions are the same, but it is better to entrust its further restoration to specialists.

    A small defect in the canvas can be eliminated or, in extreme cases, masked. To do this, a neat thin seam can be made at the cut site using a nylon thread. The technology of repairing a stretch ceiling cut allows you to do this, but the seam will be invisible only on the matte surface of the ceiling. On a glossy cloth, it will have to be masked with suitable decorative or functional elements.

    If the canvas is damaged near its edge, the damaged part of it can be carefully cut off, a harpoon mount can be glued to the film, heated, pulled and tucked into the frame profile.

    If minor damage to the ceiling is located far from its edge, it can also be masked with a decorative element, an additional lamp or a fire detector.

    Damage to the canvas when a room is flooded from the upper floors is leading in the list of reasons for its repair, despite its ability to hold almost 100 liters of water and save parquet floors and expensive furniture from getting wet. The possibility of restoring a stretch ceiling in this case and the type of its repair depends on the temperature of the spilled water and the type of canvas.

    Fabric backed material will stain after drying and will need to be replaced. Polyvinyl chloride cloth will not suffer from exposure to cold water, and boiling water can stretch it to rupture. When a room is flooded with water, the temperature of which is higher than + 70 ° C, any ceiling sheet may no longer be repairable. In such cases, it is changed using the existing system of its fastening.

    When repairing a stretch ceiling after flooding, you need to carefully and quickly remove the water that has accumulated in the space between the canvas and the ceiling. When draining water, you need to turn off the electricity by disconnecting the phase and neutral wires. Otherwise, a short circuit of the wiring may occur, since the wet ceiling sheet through the walls has contact with the ground.

    To begin with, you should use the existing holes around the hoods and fixtures. If they are not enough to drain all the water or they are absent, you will have to disassemble for this purpose part of the ceiling structure near the wall or in the corner. After removing all the cold water and carefully drying the canvas using a heating device, for example, a heat gun, the stretch ceiling will regain its original shape while maintaining its physical characteristics.

    Image - DIY suspended ceiling repair

    Burning through a stretch ceiling can lead to holes in its canvas. Despite the fire safety of the material, when exposed to high temperatures, open flames, closely spaced lamps or sparks from fireworks, the canvas can melt and burst.

    In order to avoid melting of ceilings, its manufacturers do not recommend using incandescent lamps with a power of more than 40W for lighting, or placing more powerful lamps closer than 10 cm to the ceiling surface.

    If the damage to the canvas does occur, with a small extension of the hole, a ring made of heat-resistant material must be installed on its melted edges around the lamp. In case of more significant damage, the ceiling sheet needs to be replaced with fastening to the existing frame.

    The canvas of a stretch ceiling can sag from its prolonged use, prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, as well as from uneven tension or poor quality material. If there is no damage on it in any of these cases, the canvas can be overtightened, and, if necessary, replaced.

    It is painless to dismantle, and then re-tension the PVC sheet, its harpoon method of fastening allows. It consists in soldering harpoon-shaped latches to the canvas along its perimeter. Thus, it is not the panel that is fixed in the profile, but the harpoon. This design saves the material from damage and makes it easy to remove.

    To do this, it is enough to carefully bend the edge of the harpoon with a spatula and release it from the protrusion made in the groove of the frame profile. It is better to entrust the whole complex of work on the replacement or repair of a stretch PVC ceiling to specialists with experience in this matter and the appropriate equipment.

    When a stretch ceiling breaks along the seam of its canvas, the causes of damage can be: excess of the permissible tension of the material, its poor quality or welding. In this case, the ceiling must be replaced with the recommended choice of its seamless construction.

    The above reasons refer to errors in the installation of the ceiling, therefore, the construction company responsible for its installation is obliged to repair the stretch ceiling canvas free of charge, redoing its work.

    As a result of technical errors made when installing a stretch ceiling, it is possible to detach the baguettes from the walls or edges of the canvas adjoining them. Such defects are also eliminated by the installation company free of charge.

    The edges of the canvas, which are partially detached from the walls, can be fixed in the frame on their own when the warranty expires. The violation of the connection of the ceiling film with the harpoon mount can be easily done by yourself, although this defect refers to a manufacturing defect.

    In order to avoid damage and the associated repair of the stretch ceiling, it is necessary to follow certain rules when using it:

      The installation of a stretch ceiling is always performed at the final stage of renovating an apartment or house. Otherwise, its canvas may be dirty and even damaged during other work.

    Despite the fact that the stretch ceiling is able to withstand decent mechanical stress, it is vulnerable to sharp objects.

    Installation of a ceiling in unheated rooms is inadmissible. The elasticity of its fabric at low temperatures is lost, and it can burst.

    To prevent the ceiling from sagging over time, it needs a constant room temperature within + 20-22 ° C.

    Luminaires built into a stretch ceiling must have a lamp power of no more than 40 watts. This will avoid melting its web.

    In living rooms, you can keep the ceilings clean with a vacuum cleaner. The frequency of such cleaning is once a month.

  • Removal of grease stains on a kitchen stretch ceiling is carried out with chemically neutral detergents that do not contain abrasive components. The work is done using soft sponges. Lint-free cloth or brushes can ruin the appearance of the ceiling sheet and even damage it.
  • How to restore a stretch ceiling - watch the video: