Do-it-yourself sofa repair - instructions for different types of breakdowns

Damage to the sofa

A sudden breakdown of a sofa is an unpleasant moment and can cause a lot of problems for its owner. A creaking mechanism, a dented seat, an unpleasant odor, and much more reminds you of the need to take urgent measures.

Of course, you can invite a specialist - but this requires a significant investment. DIY repairs are cheaper and more reliable . Let's look at how to do this in detail.

Types of damage

The most common damage to sofas include:

• unaesthetic - over time, the product loses its former attractiveness and needs restoration;
• deflections of soft parts - base, back, pillows;
• damage to hard parts of the seat;
• breakthrough of the filler and upholstery fabric by a spring;
• cracks in the wooden beams of the frame;

• mechanism failure.

Causes

The main causes of breakdowns of upholstered furniture:

• factory defects - cracked frame, rotten firmware threads, low-quality transforming mechanism;
• non-compliance with transportation rules - the sofa is damaged during transportation;
• long-term operation;
• non-compliance with the rules for using furniture - excessive loads, high humidity, careless handling;
• the developed operating limit of the mechanism is exceeded the number of folds declared by the manufacturer.

Methods for diagnosing a breakdown

Let's consider the main methods for identifying breakdowns of upholstered furniture and ways to eliminate them:

• the filler is deformed - this leads to the backrests and seats being pressed through. The solution is to replace the internal filling;
• breakage of the spring block - when pressing on the furniture, a characteristic creaking appears, the outer surface of the seat becomes uneven. The problem is solved by completely or fragmentarily replacing the block;
• frame malfunction - in this situation the sofa falls in the center. The broken element is dismantled and a new part is put in its place. The cracked frame is completely replaced.

Spring block repair

Restoring the spring block

A serviceable spring block determines the absence of sagging of the sofa and its comfort. It consists of zigzag springs and fastening to the body in the form of arched profiles-brackets.

Materials and tools for repair.

• Screwdriver and screwdriver.
• Construction stapler and staples.

Sequencing

• Disassemble the sofa into elements.
• Carefully remove the upholstery.
• Remove the filler and backing.
• Loosen the tension on the faulty spring and replace it.
• Reassemble in reverse order.

Adviсe

• If many springs are faulty, it is better to replace them as a whole unit.
• Replacing the rubber bands in the back is done in the same way.

Furniture manufacturers are increasingly moving away from springs in favor of slats. The change process is the same.

How to disassemble different types of sofas

To disassemble an old sofa, you need to have an open-end wrench - high-quality upholstered furniture is mainly assembled using dowels and corners. The difficulty is that most manufacturers hide the fasteners under the upholstery for aesthetic reasons.

In this case, you will need a thin screwdriver and pliers . With their help you can easily remove staples and remove nails.

How to remove upholstery

The steps to remove sofa upholstery include several steps:

• the sofa is being dismantled;
• fasteners are placed in a separate bag;
• when installing modern models with complex mechanisms, take step-by-step photos of the work - this will make it easier to return everything back;
• rip out the seams;
• The fasteners are removed - the nails are removed with pliers, the grains are unscrewed, the staples are removed with an anti-stapler. If it is not there, use a thin knife. If you plan to replace the fabric, then the old upholstery is simply cut, while maintaining its integrity - this is the future pattern for the new fabric.

How to dismantle the frame

The frame is the basic structure of furniture. General procedure for dismantling the sofa structure:

• We are looking for fastenings from the inside of the furniture. Keep in mind that they may be under the material. If they are masked, carefully secure the material with an anti-stapler;
• remove the side panels;
• dismantle the seat;
• carefully remove the backrest - unscrew all the fixing elements from the frame;
• in the case of the Euro version, we remove the backrest together with the seat - in such models they are mounted on one frame;
• remove the frame.

How to remove the transformation mechanism

Step-by-step instruction:

• remove the armrests - they are bolted to the frame;
• dismantle all elements that are connected to the frame;
• begin to remove the transformation mechanism - use a screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the fastening elements;
• If necessary, the seat and backrest are disconnected - they are connected to each other by a transforming mechanism.

How to disconnect the spring block

Sequence of work:

• dismantle the side panels using a wrench;
• remove the upholstery;
• treat the surface with a vacuum cleaner - it removes excess debris and dust inside the sofa;
• carefully inspect the structure for cracks and chips of internal furniture elements;
• change the plywood base - if necessary;
• remove the spring block.

The nuances of covering leather furniture

There shouldn’t be any difficulties with questions about how to cover a sofa with fabric. Things are a little different if you plan to work with leather. In this case, the restoration and transportation of the sofa is carried out taking into account a number of rules:

1. When working with leather, you should absolutely not use pins, as they can leave holes in the surface of the material. Scotch tape is preferable for fastening workpiece elements.
2. To prevent rough seams from forming when sewing the cover, it is recommended to iron them through gauze.
3. To ensure that a stitched leather product lasts a long time, it is not recommended to drive staples into the material itself; it is better to secure them on a felt pad or other dense surface.

Transporting a leather sofa, as well as restoring upholstered furniture with fabric upholstery, is an exciting activity that will help you radically transform the product without any special financial costs. The most difficult process of all the work is the manufacture and stretching of the cover; all other stages should not cause difficulties. The main thing is to be patient and stick to the action plan, then the transportation of the leather upholstery of the sofa will be done correctly, and the manufactured cover will last a long time and maintain a presentable appearance.

Sources

• https://roomester.ru/dekor/mebel/kak-peretyanut-divan.html
• https://stroyday.com/peretyazhka-divana-svoimi-rukami/
• https://iloveremont.ru/kak-peretyanut-divan-svoimi-rukami-poshagovo/
• https://sc-stroy.ru/drugoe/kak-peretyanut-divan-svoimi-rukami.html
• https://novinkimebeli.ru/kak-peretyanut-divan/
• https://mebel-v-nsk.ru/divany/kak-peretanut-divan-svoimi-rukami-posagovaa-instrukcia-s-foto.html
• https://mebel-expert.info/remont/kak-peretyanut-divan-svoimi-rukami-posledovatelnost-dejstvij-i-njuansy-vypolneniya-raboty
• https://www.divano.ru/informacija/istoriya-mebeli/interesnye-fakty/kak-peretyanut-divan/
• https://severdv.ru/mebel/divany/poshagovaya-instrukcziya-po-peretyazhke-divana-svoimi-rukami/
• https://Mebel169.ru/articles/kak-peretyanut-divan/
• https://mblx.ru/mjagkaja/raznovidnosti/1151-peretazka-divana.html
• https://stroychik.ru/mebel/peretyazhka-divana-svoimi-rukami

How to repair the frame and armrests of a sofa

The problem with frame repair at home is that the furniture needs to be disassembled almost completely. This requires a special tool and useful space.

What materials are needed, where to buy them and how much they cost

For repairs you will need:

• drill;
• crosshead screwdriver;
• wood saw;
• glue;
• scissors;
• hammer;
• sandpaper.

Step-by-step instruction

The process of sewing covers for armrests consists of the following steps:

1. Take measurements.
2. Prepare the fabric - wash, dry and iron. This will avoid shrinkage of the finished product.
3. Apply marks to the fabric taking into account the previously taken measurements. Don't forget about seam allowances.
4. Cut out the details. There should be 4 of them. for each armrest - 2 side rectangles, 1 upper and 1 end. If the arms of the sofa are slightly rounded, which is often found in modern models, the last part can be made round, and the 2 side and top parts can be cut out in one piece.
5. Sweep away all parts. This is very important even if the master believes that his measurements are as accurate as possible. It is not recommended to sew the product on a machine without basting and fitting. If you don’t want to use thread and a needle, you can carefully pin the product together with tailor’s pins along the future seam.
6. Turn the cover right side out and place it on the armrest. If it fits well and you don’t need to change anything, then sew the parts together using a sewing machine.
7. Remove excess threads and check seams for strength.
8. Decorate the finished case with decorative elements, if necessary.

There is nothing difficult about sewing covers for sofa armrests yourself. The main thing is attentiveness and accuracy.

How to fix the transformation mechanism

Each type of transformation mechanism has its own specifics. When it comes to durability, the angle of inclination needs to be taken into account.

High-quality materials are the key to long-term operation of the product. In budget furniture, many manufacturers reduce its cost precisely by saving on metal. A sheet that is thinner than intended will wear out quickly. Poor-quality rivets also become unusable before the established deadline.

If there is no financial opportunity to buy a new sofa, the transformation mechanism is repaired independently.

At the pull-out sofa

The roll-out mechanism is considered one of the strongest and most durable sofa structures. Especially if it is made from quality materials.

The only thing that breaks in roll-out furniture is the casters.

The procedure for replacing them:

• the bushing that secures the wheel is drilled out with a drill;
• old rivets are removed;
• attach to new bolts, control the strength and reliability of the connection;
• Before assembling the sofa, check the operation of the mechanism.

By the sofa there is a book and a Eurobook

The universal design of the sofa is comfortable and functional. During the day it accommodates several people, and in the evening it becomes a full-fledged sleeping place.

It has a very simple transforming mechanism. It is enough to lift the seat, hear a characteristic click - and voila, the sofa is disassembled.

A common cause of failure is rivets. To replace them, you need to disconnect the bar on which they are located. Unscrew the bolts - they fix the bar.

You cannot put new elements in place of old ones - this increases the gaps.

Proceed as follows:

• cut out a fragment of the damaged clamp;
• a new blank is placed in its place;
• fix the bar;
• insert a new bolt - keep in mind that it should not rest against the structure - after all the elements are in place, it will not be possible to shorten it.

Decoration

Decorating the sofa is done using:

• creating beautiful pillows;
• carriage screed;
• figured solid wood.

Beautiful pillows

Pillows are made independently, from leftover material, or purchased in a store. It all depends on your financial capabilities.

Carriage tie

The back of the sofa is decorated with a carriage tie. To do this, small circles are cut out of the foam rubber during stuffing, after which buttons will be sewn in their place. This will help prevent the material from curling. Afterwards the frame is covered with fabric and decorative elements are sewn on.

Figured wood

Wooden armrests can be decorated by gluing solid wood onto them. Such a sofa will look much more beautiful and will last longer than usual.

How to replace a sofa filler

Often, in addition to external or internal damage, the reason for replacing the filler is the restoration of boring furniture that has lost its relevance. Buying a fashionable set is expensive - if you have basic skills in working with the tool, you can solve the problem yourself by replacing the filler with a new one.

For sofas with soft filling

The soft filler sags faster than the spring block. As a rule, inside such sofas there is foam rubber or a thick layer of padding polyester - the materials lose their elasticity and resilience over time.

The second reason for replacing them is unpleasant odors or internal tears in the upholstery.

In addition to the filler, you will need the following materials:

• screwdriver;
• screwdriver;
• stapler;
• construction staples.

How much does the filler cost?

Foam rubber is produced in sheets 200 cm long and 80 cm wide. The optimal thickness for a sofa is 10-12 cm. The average cost of a sheet is 3,500 rubles.

If you want the sofa to be comfortable and cozy, choose thinner sheets of different elasticity and stack them on top of each other to the desired thickness. The result is a layer cake effect - the top is softer, the bottom is harder.

The synthetic padding polyester will give it softness and streamlined shape - lay it as a finishing layer. The cost of filler is from 150 rubles per square.

Modern upholstered furniture in factories is filled with holofiber - it is more durable, quickly restores its shape, and retains its structure. But it also costs several times more than foam rubber.

How to calculate quantity

To avoid overpaying for extra meters of filler, do the following:

• remove the upholstery;
• lay it out on the floor;
• take measurements taking into account;
• add 20 cm to each side.

How to properly lay and secure the soft filling of a sofa

Step-by-step replacement of soft filler:

• remove the sides and back of the sofa;
• dismantle the transformation;
• remove upholstery and old filling;
• new fragments of foam rubber or other material are laid out on wooden structural elements;
• press firmly and secure with staples. At this stage, you can improve or change the design of the furniture - make the sofa softer, the pillows and sides thicker or more streamlined.

For sofas with spring filling

Many owners of upholstered furniture with a spring unit think that if it breaks, the sofa needs to be replaced. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to buy a new one - how to solve the problem of replacing the spring filler - read below.

Where to buy new springs

Individual springs or a complete spring block can be purchased at large hardware stores or furniture hypermarkets. Keep in mind that if the part is not broken, just bent or deformed, there is no need to replace it with a new one - just remove it from the block and align it, focusing on the serviceable ones.

How much do they cost

The cost of a standard manual spring block varies from 800 to 3000 rubles per sheet. An independent spring design costs from 20,000 rubles.

Upholstery replacement

Pet owners know first-hand about coating problems. Replacement is also carried out after severe contamination and obsolescence of the casing. Only the complexity of the implementation depends on the material, and not the process itself. But still, it is better to entrust the replacement of leather and leatherette to professionals.

Disassembled sofa for repair work

Required tools and materials:

• Construction stapler and staples.
• Sewing kit.
• Screwdriver and screwdriver.
• Textile. Commonly used are flock, velor, jacquard, chenille or tapestry.

Flock is a soft, strong, durable, pleasant to the touch material

Beautiful and expensive fabric for upholstery - tapestry

Sequencing

• Carefully disassemble the sofa into its component elements.
• Remove the trim without damaging the fabric. It will serve as a template.
• Cut out a new canvas, taking into account the features of the relief.
• Carry out the tension starting from the front part, fixing with staples.
• Repeat the procedure on all sheathed elements.

Do-it-yourself sofa repair - the process of reupholstering the armrests

Adviсe

• The stretching is carried out by two people.
• The fabric is folded in two layers at the places where the staples are attached.

How to reupholster a sofa

Even if the structure itself works properly, after many years of use the sofa looks unpresentable. The material loses its original appearance, the fabric structure is destroyed, colors fade, and stains appear.

If it is not possible to restore the tissue, it is re-stretched.

Where to buy the right fabric

A large selection of materials for upholstery of upholstered furniture is available at wholesale construction centers and fabric stores. If you want to save money, choose the appropriate option and order the same one on the Internet - you are guaranteed a financial benefit of at least 30%.

How to choose the right fabric for upholstery

The right choice of fabric is no less important than the interior contents of the furniture. When choosing it, they are guided by the following criteria:

• ease of use and maintenance - modern upholstery materials are easy to clean and retain their original appearance for a long time. If there is a pet in the house, consider the option of “anti-vandal” or “anti-scratch” upholstery;
• hygiene - some materials contain synthetic components that can cause allergies;
• the structure and color of the fabric - they must fit into the overall style and interior of the room - complement it, or vice versa - become a bright spot against the background of a calm, delicate palette.

How much does fabric cost for a sofa?

The price range of materials for upholstery of upholstered furniture is quite wide. The cost depends on a number of factors:

• region;
• manufacturer;
• compound.

Budget options cost from 550 rubles per square meter, modern high-quality materials cost several thousand.

Benefits of restoration

Many citizens are suspicious of restoring old furniture, although it has a lot of undeniable advantages. These include:

• saving money;
• independent choice of design;
• preserving memories associated with an antique item;
• improvement of weak points of the design to increase ease of use.

Budget savings

The main plus for which many decide to restore the sofa. Updating parts that have exhausted their service life costs much less, and the remaining money can be spent on more pleasant needs.

Antique Preservation

Old, antique things have always been valued. Why throw away a good, sturdy sofa that has a lot of memories attached to it? It’s easier to refresh its appearance and continue to use it for your pleasure. Perhaps in the future, the money saved on buying a sofa will be better used.

Choice of colors

When purchasing new furniture, the problem of choosing the right color scheme that harmoniously fits into the current interior of the room often arises. In case of restoration, it is much easier to buy fabric of the desired color, and this saves not only money, but also time.

Independent selection of material according to quality

Another undoubted advantage is the ability to choose the quality of the material used for restoration. An old sofa can be covered with more expensive fabric, which will significantly increase its appearance. At the same time, the price of a new product made from the same material will be many times higher.

Strengthening weak points

Buying new furniture always carries the danger of unexpected defects or design flaws that reduce the ease of use. All the disadvantages of old furniture are already known and they can always be eliminated by purchasing a couple of extra parts. This way you will update the appearance and strengthen the structure as a whole, with a minimum investment.