DIY sofa repair, replacement of coil springs
It is difficult to call a sofa with a failed spring a full-fledged sofa. You can sit or lie on it, but such a pastime can hardly be called comfortable. However, you should not immediately send the sofa to a landfill - a broken part can always be replaced, and then this piece of furniture will serve quietly for at least another few years.
The content of the article
Description of springs and their functions
The springs in the sofa are responsible for its comfortable use. At its core, this is a shock absorber block, the main purpose of which is the softness and elasticity of furniture. This is important so that the sofa does not sag during use and returns to its original form every time after a weight load. At the same time, such a design should not cause inconvenience to a person, but rather make his use of the product more comfortable.
Important: It is easy to damage a spring by sharply overloading it and depriving it of the load, which is why it is not advisable for children to jump on sofas and other products with spring blocks.
They are placed inside the sofa, usually in the furniture seat frame.
When to change springs
The spring is one of the most important elements of the sofa. If you initially choose furniture of higher quality, it will last much longer.However, even the highest quality parts sometimes require repairs or complete replacement.
Experts advise replacing the spring on the sofa in the following cases:
- The sofa has been in use for a long time, and parts may wear out significantly, including the elasticity of the spring. Because of this, dents and bulges may appear on the surface of the sofa - you can use such a product, but it is far from comfortable.
- If the quality of the part is initially low or there is a manufacturing defect, it should be replaced if possible. Initially, you should not buy such furniture, however, sometimes this is revealed at the very beginning of use.
- If an incorrectly selected level of rigidity interferes with the comfortable use of the sofa, then you should also seriously think about replacing it, since there is no way to adjust this characteristic.
Reference: Sometimes in stores you can find a good discount on defective furniture. In such cases, sometimes it makes sense to evaluate what will be more profitable for you: to replace it yourself or give it to a specialist, or buy a sofa at the regular price.
What types of springs are there?
The spring block is often considered to be almost the main characteristic of the comfort of a sofa, therefore, when it needs to be replaced, few people put off this matter for a long time. But before you start repairing, you need to understand what type of springs you are dealing with. Typically, the following types are used in the manufacture of furniture:
- Flat snake. It is the simplest in design, however, this does not prevent it from having a high level of convenience and durability. Located in the low price segment.The disadvantages include excessive softness, due to which folding furniture quickly sag during use.
- Solid Bonnell block. One of the most common types, due to its low price and high levels of comfort and durability. However, over time, they begin to creak unpleasantly, and if one spring fails, the entire unit will need to be replaced.
- Block of independent springs. The isolation of each spring guarantees a high level of comfort. In the event of a breakdown, only the failed part can be replaced. However, this design is expensive.
What you will need to replace it yourself
To replace the spring, you may be advised to call a specialist, but you can do this yourself, significantly saving your budget. The process is simple, but requires at least minimal skills in handling tools.
Before you fully approach the repair, you need to purchase all the necessary materials and prepare the required tools. So you will need:
- tape measure or measuring tape;
- a key suitable for disassembling the frame;
- flat-head screwdriver (useful when removing staples);
- pliers;
- a knife for neatly separating the underlying fabric;
- stapler or buttons (something that can be used to secure the sofa upholstery back);
- new spring.
Help: you can change tools for others, the main thing is that they perform the same function as the specified ones.
Step-by-step description of the process
There is nothing difficult about replacing a spring. However, as with any renovation, it is important to approach this process wisely and with full concentration. To successfully carry out the operation, it is better not to deviate significantly from the recommended algorithm of actions:
- Disassemble the sofa.To do this, you will need to disconnect the side parts, backrest, seats and tray using a wrench.
- Remove the upholstery. Carefully remove the retaining clips with pliers and remove the tight-fitting material without any sudden movements.
- Replace the part. Wipe off the dust first and, after inspection, use pliers to remove the damaged springs. Put new ones in their place. If necessary, replace the entire unit.
- Put the sofa back together. Follows steps 2 and 1 of this algorithm in reverse order. For convenience and practicality, it is best to attach the upholstery with a construction stapler.
Reference: To increase durability, you can cover the spring block on top with a layer of foam rubber, which will smooth out the load.
If successfully replaced, the sofa will serve you for several more years, or maybe dozens. In any case, the furniture must be treated with care and not exceed the recommended loads on it - then it will last much longer.