Sofas tend to undergo some wear over time, until the cushions lose their original shape. In these cases you may decide to throw away the old sofa and buy a new one, but an equally valid option would be to repair it, thus saving a lot of money. You will first have to perform a thorough inspection, in order to find the cause of the buckling: it could be the fault of the worn padding, or something more serious such as a break in the frame.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Inspect the Sofa
Step 1. Check the causes of the sagging
Your problem could be caused by excessive wear of the cushions, by damaged springs or by a bending of the frame.
If the problem lies in the padding it is good, because the repair will be very simple; if the cushions are in good condition, you may need to replace the springs or the frame. In the case of very serious damage, however, there is not necessarily an alternative solution to replacing the sofa
Step 2. Take pictures
Before starting the disassembly of the sofa, photograph it in order to have a reference before the start of the repair work; if you have the opportunity, show the photos to a professional repairman, asking him for help in identifying the problem.
Step 3. Inspect the frame
Remove all the cushions and turn the sofa over to look at the bottom: see if there are points where the fabric is torn, any breaks or rotting of the wood.
- If you find cracked or warped boards you will need to replace them - most of the cover fabric will need to be removed and the repair will take a long time.
- You may need to remove part of the dust cover (the fabric that closes the bottom of the sofa) to be able to check the condition of the springs: proceed gently, being careful not to tear the canvas.
Step 4. Take note of the type of springs used in your sofa
Some models use elastic zigzag elements, while others have coil springs.
- Check for bent or broken springs: in the first case you can repair them yourself, otherwise you will have to go to a professional repairer.
- The older sofas generally have coil springs and the more modern ones have zigzag elements; some sofas may also be springless, depending on the quality of the frame.
- Check the space between the cushions - you may find torn straps or broken slats.
Part 2 of 3: Stuff the Pillows
Step 1. Test the stiffness of the pillows
If they seem too soft, you may need to add some padding: start by opening the lining and removing the material contained inside.
This is a good opportunity to take advantage of to thoroughly wash the pillow covers
Step 2. Check the conditions of the padding
This can be composed of synthetic foam, both natural fibers (such as wool or cotton) and synthetic (including polyester) or a combination of these elements.
If the foam has obvious grooves, it will probably be necessary to replace the entire pillow; if, on the other hand, the fluff is worn out but the foam is still in good condition, you just need to replace the worn part
Step 3. Replace items in poor condition
You will find both the foam part and the fibers for the padding at Internet stores or in local upholstery.
- You can also fill the cushions with materials other than the original ones: it will not be necessary to keep the foam core, which you can effectively replace with cotton, wool or even with recycled fabric. Remember, however, that the material used directly affects the softness of the pillow: make sure the padding is comfortable before continuing on.
- Consider the durability of the materials used: some of them may deteriorate prematurely, while the foam will still be reliable after many years.
Step 4. Cut out the fluff according to the size of the pillow and place it on top of the material you have chosen for the main filling
Create a soft cushion, wrapping a few layers around the inner core; also remember to level the material well, thus avoiding to obtain a seat with uncomfortable irregularities.
Step 5. Close the cover
When you have finished working on the padding, you can reinsert it in its own lining. Then sit on the sofa to check that the problem has been solved; if not, double check the condition of the frame.
Part 3 of 3: Repair the Frame
Step 1. Check the condition of the axes
If the wooden boards that support the sofa frame are broken, you will need to replace them together with their fixing screws. Take your measurements and count how many spare parts you will need; you can buy new ones at a hardware store you trust.
- You could also bring one of the replacement parts with you, so you can be sure you are not making a wrong purchase.
- You could get a temporary solution by placing a plywood board between the frame and the cushions: by doing so you will slightly stiffen the structure, but do not consider it a permanent repair.
- Use wood glue to hold the new planks in place; then complete the fastening with a nail gun loaded with long, thick staples, or use a hammer and very thin nails.
Step 2. Repair bent springs
If you find some bent or twisted, you can bring them back to their original shape with pliers.
If this is not possible and it is necessary to replace the elastic elements, the best option would be to contact a professional repairer: replacing the broken springs is not an easy job and you need specific tools
Step 3. Remove the damaged wood parts
If the frame is cracked or rotted, you will need to take the sofa apart and replace the damaged pieces. You may find that the material used in the construction of the frame is plywood - if so, think about replacing it with solid wood.
- Detach the fabric from the parts you need to replace, being very careful not to damage it.
- You will also need to remove the springs attached to the frame, using a special tool; this is a dangerous step, so be very careful.
- After removing the fabric and springs, remove the wooden parts to be replaced.
Step 4. Attach the new pieces to the frame
Use a nail gun or hammer and nails.
- Finish fixing with wood glue and let it dry completely.
- Reattach the springs to the new part (you may need specific tools), then apply the retaining clips with new screws.
Step 5. Reassemble the upholstery and cover fabrics
At the end of the repairs on the frame, you will be able to complete the reassembly of the sofa: take the nail gun and use it to fix the textile parts on the bottom of the frame, after having properly tensioned them.
Advice
- Ask a professional repairman for advice before starting these procedures: without the correct equipment, some steps could be dangerous.
- Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves.
- If you do not feel able to repair your sofa yourself, think rather whether it is not necessary to have it repaired by specialized people, or to buy a new one.
