The technology for dismantling the stretch covering on the ceiling depends on the type of its fastening. The implementation of the complete and partial removal of the fabric and PVC cloth without damage, the drainage of water, when flooded by neighbors, the preparation of tools for work - we consider each of these stages in detail. Removing the tension cover from the profile is a quick and easy procedure. No special skills are required for this. However, it is much more difficult to carry out dismantling so that the canvas is suitable for further use. It is necessary not only to be extremely careful, but also to take into account the type of attachment of the coating to the profile.
Reasons for dismantling a stretch ceiling
The service life of the blade is from ten years. However, in some situations, the dismantling of the stretch ceiling may be necessary much earlier.
The reasons for premature removal of material include:
- Flood from above … If the structure is fabric, then the extent of the damage must be assessed. It needs to be dried, because the fabric is moisture permeable. If the ceiling is made of PVC, then it will not let water through, but it can sag. In this case, you need to drain the water and remove the film.
- Mechanical damage … It is very easy to damage the tension cloth, especially the film one, by mechanical stress. In this case, material replacement is required.
- Room renovation … When replacing the wall decoration or carrying out other repair work that may affect the condition of the material from which the stretch ceiling is made, it may also need to be removed.
- Repair or replacement of communications … If it is necessary to eliminate a malfunction in the wiring, pipes or replace them, remove the tension belt.
- Arbitrary tears and sagging of the web … This is possible if installed incorrectly.
- The appearance of stains … The manifestation of traces of fungus, mold and other stains from the ceiling usually occurs in cases where the surface was not properly prepared before installation. In this situation, the material must be removed, all antiseptic work carried out and installed back.
In some cases, the drawing on the canvas or its texture may just get bored. When replacing with another material, you still need to adhere to the rules for removing the stretch ceiling so as not to damage the baguettes.
Preparatory work before removing the tensioning web
Instructions for dismantling stretch ceilings with your own hands differ depending on the type of fastening. However, before starting work, you need to prepare the room and the necessary tool for removing the canvas, which will help to carry out the work without damaging the coating. When removing the PVC sheet, a propane heat gun is required. It is also used when installing the material. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to bring a cylinder into a warming up room due to safety rules! You do not need a fan heater to dismantle the fabric ceiling.
In addition, you will need such tools to dismantle the stretch ceiling: a flat screwdriver, a trowel with a blunt end, pliers with rounded edges and special clips (clothespins), which are usually used for installation.
The room in which the work will be carried out must be freed from furniture as much as possible. When removing the PVC cloth, the temperature in the room warms up to +70 degrees, and therefore you need to take care that there are no flowers, animals, household appliances, paintings in it. It is important to de-energize the room and dismantle the lamp from the stretch ceiling. It is also required to remove sconces and lamps from the walls. Insulate the bare ends of the wires.
Removing a fabric stretch ceiling with your own hands
This process is different from removing the film cover. Firstly, the use of a fan heater is not required. Secondly, the weight of the fabric is much higher than that of PVC, and therefore the extraction of the fabric requires a special approach.
We carry out work in the following sequence:
- We remove the decorative plinth around the perimeter of the room.
- In the middle of the wall, insert a flat screwdriver under the baguette between the clips.
- At a distance of 35-40 cm from the first, insert the second screwdriver.
- Carefully push back the clamps and pull out the canvas.
- We repeat the procedure in the next section and move around the entire perimeter of the attachment.
- After removing 1-1.5 meters of the canvas, we fasten the fabric with clothespins so that it does not sag and does not exert excess weight on the baguettes, from which the rest has not yet been removed.
Please note that partial dismantling of the fabric cover is not possible. The material is too heavy. It can damage itself and damage the profile.
Features of dismantling a film stretch ceiling
Consider the popular methods for removing a stretch fabric made of PVC.
Removing a stretch ceiling with a harpoon mounting system
The harpoon attachment is carried out using a special hook, which is welded to the canvas during production. It is much denser than the material itself and is usually colored black.
You can remove it according to the following instructions:
- We warm up the room to + 65-70 degrees.
- We remove the decorative plastic cap from the baguette.
- We insert the spatula into the profile in the corner and bend the movable part of the harpoon.
- We take out the material from the baguette using pliers.
- When the edge of the harpoon is outside, we take out the rest of the material with our hands, moving to the center of the wall. It is recommended to carry out work with rubber gloves. Otherwise, fingerprints will remain on the heated film.
Please note that you need to grab the harpoon with the pliers, not the film itself. Otherwise, it can be damaged. Please note that the tools should be free of burrs. PVC is a very durable material, but it can be easily damaged with a sharp object.
Dismantling a stretch ceiling with a wedge mounting system
This method of fixing consists in using a special wedge, which is driven into the groove over the canvas. Installation on top of the skirting board allows the material to be secured even more securely. Removing it is quite simple.
After warming up the room to a temperature of + 60 + 70 degrees, follow these instructions:
- We insert a flat screwdriver into the technological gaps of the decorative baguette in the corner.
- We remove the stub. After that, the fastening of the canvas is significantly weakened.
- Separate the first strips from the corner of 30 cm with a screwdriver and continue to remove from the groove.
As the strip is removed, the material will fall out of the profile. The work can be done independently or with an assistant.
In the same way, the canvas, fixed with the glazing method, is removed.
How to remove a stretch ceiling with a cam fastening system
The film, fixed in this way, is the most difficult to remove. This type of attachment is carried out with a special movable "cam".
After warming up the room, we carry out dismantling in the following order:
- We insert a screwdriver in the corner between the movable cam and the profile. Please note that the edge of the screwdriver must first be checked for burrs and, if necessary, sanded.
- Gently pull out some of the material.
- We insert a plastic spatula into the gap free from the film.
- We continue to take out the canvas around the perimeter of the room.
To re-install the stretch ceiling using a cam or wedge method, the material must have a stock. If it was not provided for during the previous installation, then re-tensioning will not work. In this case, you will have to do a full constriction.
How to drain water from a stretch ceiling
Removing the stretch ceiling with your own hands, if the neighbors flooded from above, may not be required. When sagging under water pressure, it is sometimes sufficient to simply drain it properly and dry the material.
This can be done as follows:
- We de-energize the room to prevent a short circuit. Be sure to turn off both machines.
- We dismantle a chandelier or spotlight, opening the hole.
- We put the vessel under the hole through which the water will pour out, and raise the film.
- After the water flows out, remove all the lamps and leave the film to dry.
- In warm weather, open the windows to ventilate the room, which will help to dry quickly. In winter, we turn on the heater in the room.
If the wet coating has become wrinkled, don't worry. Wrinkles will be smoothed out after drying. When the film returns to its original form, you can reinstall the lighting fixtures.
How to remove a stretch ceiling - watch the video:
For a quick and high-quality dismantling of a stretch ceiling, you can turn to specialists who have the skills and the necessary tools. However, by adhering to our instructions for removing the blade with different types of fastening, you will be able to carry out the work yourself without damaging the material and profiles.
