Subtleties of repairing stretch ceilings after a cut

Stretch ceiling is becoming more and more popular. It looks great, does not allow extraneous noise from the neighbors upstairs to penetrate, saves the apartment from possible flooding, is practical and easy to clean.

However, he still has one significant drawback - a small margin of safety. The canvas is able to withstand the load in the form of stretching and increasing pressure, but at the same time, accidental contact with a sharp or rough object leads to the formation of local damage.

The peculiarities of repairing stretch ceilings depend on the type of canvas, the reasons that caused the formation of the cut, its size and the place of damage. You can damage the canvas when cleaning, repairing, playing for children or celebrating with sparklers. In any case, you need to know the tricks that will allow you to fix the problem yourself.

First, let's figure out the stretch canvases. There are two main types.

These are polyester fabrics impregnated with a polymer composition. They are made from synthetic fibers with a slight addition of natural threads. In general, they are quite durable, resistant to sudden changes in temperature. The average thickness is from 0.35 to 0.39 mm.

But other indicators are also important for us - porous structure and insignificant elasticity. It is impossible to stretch them too much, which is a plus in some situations. It is easier to eliminate small defects than on the film, due to its special structure. The canvas requires a complete replacement only if the damage on the fabric ceiling is more than 30 cm.

These are canvases based on polyvinyl chloride fibers. The thickness is small - 0.17-0.22 mm, but the material is very durable. It has anti-static properties, does not burn, but melts. They are extremely sensitive to temperature changes, due to which first cracks and then tears of the film can form. Withstands temperatures up to + 100 ° C without losing its properties.

It is very elastic - this makes it possible to stretch it a little if the cut is located close to the baguette. But if you press and stretch the film hard, it will change its shape and size, which will lead to unevenness and waves in the ceiling after restoration.

Both types of stretch coatings contain polymers, but differ in their structure and characteristics of the canvas. Installation and fastening of structures are also different. Accordingly, their repair will also be carried out in different ways.

Even the cheapest canvas is quite durable. However, do not forget that both types of material are defenseless against piercing and cutting objects. Therefore, any, even the smallest cut can easily break the integrity of the material, its tightness and strongly deform the ceiling as a whole.

From the moment of installation, the utmost care must be taken. In the first days after tension, the material adapts to this state and therefore is extremely sensitive to mechanical stress, easily damaged.

Proceeding from this, it is possible to engage in electrical work, installation of furniture and other shenanigans only after a few days have passed after the installation of the ceiling.

The most common causes of cuts are:

• Incorrect installation, poor quality of the material itself and incorrect cutting can provoke the formation of damage.
• Careless rearrangement of large pieces of furniture with sharp edges.For example, moving a wardrobe or wardrobe with sharp edges and corners.
• Active children's games. Launching various toys at the ceiling, playing with a radio-controlled plane, throwing a ball, and the like. Therefore, the film ceiling, due to its fragility, should not be installed in children's rooms and in places where children often visit.
• Inaccurate manipulation of sharp objects near the structure. Locksmith and carpentry tools, especially those with sharp and rotating edges, such as a grinder, can also be a common cause.
• A less common but pertinent reason is the champagne cork.

Depending on the damage and material, the following tools will be needed for restoration work:

• cloth tape or masking tape;
• scissors, stationery tape and a small antenna cable - 10 cm;
• a patch that can be made from a piece from the remainder of the canvas;
• nylon thread, needle, paint and varnish;
• hair dryer and spatula.

The first step, which applies to all types of canvas, is to provide "first aid" to the ceiling - the cut edges are quickly sealed with double-sided or masking tape. This is done to prevent an increase in the area of ​​damage.

First, we assess the damage, determine its size and localization by eye. It should be noted that only small defects can be completely eliminated with your own hands, since PVC film is difficult to repair.

Large cuts, over 15 cm, cannot be repaired on their own. Close to the wall - no further than 15-20 cm - damage can be pulled and hidden in a baguette groove.

• In the course of the cut, parallel to the baguette, we glue a piece of the antenna cable. We are waiting for the glue to dry completely.
• Then we heat the canvas with a hairdryer.
• Gently pull it up to the baguette and refill it using a spatula.
• We straighten the canvas so that there are no waves left.
• If irregularities have formed on the sides of the cut, then they need to be leveled. To do this, we also glue the cable and pull it to the groove of the baguette.

We take an identical canvas and cut out an oval patch from it, in size it should be 2-3 cm larger than the main damage. After that, carefully apply glue to it, so that there is no excess. Otherwise, traces of glue will remain on the hands and on the ceiling, which will greatly ruin its appearance.

Place the patch over the cut and press down with moderate force. Do not press too hard, as wrinkles may form.... When the patch has seized, smooth it out slightly. Such patches can later be masked with a pattern or PVC applique.

PVC application is successfully used as a patch, attached to a sealant or adhesive. However, it is worth adding such stickers (drawings) to entire areas so that the stretch ceiling has a visually complete look and design.

There are no special requirements for the adhesive composition used, the main thing is that it set quickly and efficiently and be colorless... You can use superglue, ordinary PVA (latex), universal or specialized glue for a specific material.

For gluing, you can purchase the following adhesive forks:

• Universal glue - has a good adhesive function, thanks to the resins that make up it.
• Specialized glue, is divided into categories:

1. for heavy materials - non-woven, vinyl;
2. for medium materials - fabric, acrylic wallpaper;
3. for light materials - paper wallpaper.

• Regular superglue.

Suitable for vinyl film. A special sealing (or protector) thermal ring is glued to the damaged area, after which the canvas is cut out, following the inner edge of the ring. This will be the basis for the future lamp. This ring prevents the vinyl from tearing further and takes on the tension load.

If you can stick your palm into the damage, then the lamp suspension is mounted on the base without cutting out anything.

More clearly, the repair of a PVC stretch ceiling is shown in the following video.

Due to their structure, fabric stretch ceilings are more stable and easier to repair. The restoration can also be carried out in two ways.

Sew up with nylon thread. We select synthetic threads corresponding to the shade. Departing from the edge by at least 3 mm, we tighten the edges. In this case, the distance from the wall does not play an important role, since the choice of the method depends entirely on the size of the cut itself.

After the resulting seam is treated with acrylic sealant. By applying a suitable material to the fresh hermetic layer, the tissue texture can be imparted to the damaged area. After waiting for the sealant to dry completely, we completely paint the fabric with paint or apply a drawing - with an ordinary brush or airbrush.

If the incision is large, the seam will be very noticeable and severely ruin the aesthetics of the ceiling. In this case, you can use a patch. Cut the flap from fabric or fiberglass. We apply a transparent adhesive to it and glue it to the back of the canvas, from the side of the ceiling. In this case, you must not press the flap too hard to prevent the ceiling from sagging. at the cut.

You can mount a thermal ring into the hole, we do everything the same way as with a film canvas. Of course, these inclusions must be appropriate aesthetically and according to the rules of operation.

When a non-professional takes over the job, the risk of defects appearing in the repair process increases. Damaged stretch ceilings, thanks to modern technology, can be repaired in most cases. However, in the beginning it is always necessary to assess the degree of damage and the appropriateness of the action.

There are cases in which restoration is simply impossible:

• If the ceiling has come apart at the seams. In this case, the material must be over-tensioned, as gluing can only worsen the situation.
• If the canvas comes off the wall... It is necessary to re-tighten the canvas and strengthen the structure.
• Separately, it is worth noting the detached baguette, you can try to fix it yourself, without resorting to a complete replacement of the canvas.

The tearing of the ceiling made of PVC film in the central area, exceeding 15 cm in diameter, inevitably damages the aesthetics of the canvas. In this case, it is possible to restore the tightness.

Fabric canvas is much stronger and more resistant to damage, but it also costs almost twice as much as film. However, it also has its limits to the suitability of restoration.

Some tips and tricks for the correct operation of the stretch ceiling and repair.

• When gluing patches, the surface of the canvas must be degreased in advance for better adhesion. You can degrease it with a special stretch ceiling care spray or an ordinary detergent, which should not be aggressive in terms of its effect.
• When damage occurs, be sure to fix the edges with pieces of tape. This is done to prevent the increase in the area of ​​damage under the influence of the tensile force.
• Damage to the canvas with photo printing is eliminated only if the cut is insignificant and after restoration will be invisible. If the integrity of the picture is violated, then a new image must be applied to the ceiling.

• It is important that the room temperature is between 0 ° C and 50 ° C.
• In damp rooms, rust drops must be removed in a timely manner. It is better to wipe the canvas with a flannel cloth, preferably colorless. For cleaning, use a glass cleaner that does not contain abrasive materials;
• For fabric canvas, incandescent lamps - up to 60 W and halogen lamps - up to 35 W. For a film ceiling, incandescent lamps - up to 40 W and halogen lamps - up to 20 W. If the values ​​are exceeded, then black traces of heating inevitably appear.

• Before you start repairing the damage, you need to make sure that a manufacturing defect is not the cause of the cut. That is, the cut was formed without direct mechanical impact. In this case, you need to contact the company that carried out the installation, and they will carry out a free repair.
• However, if the owner himself is to blame for the damage to the canvas, but the warranty period has not yet expired, then you should not do the restoration yourself, but it is better to turn to professionals for help. The master will be able to fix the cut faster and better, and the warranty benefits will remain in the event of an unsuccessful repair.

Damage to the tension web does not always require replacement. Small and minor defects are easy to repair with your own hands, most often they do not leave visible traces and imperfections.

In any case, it is better to seek the advice of a specialist in order to correctly assess the degree of damage and to carry out the restoration work with high quality.