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How to drain water from a stretch ceiling: smart tips Do-it-yourself quick drain of water from a stretch ceiling Stretch ceiling with water

Stretch fabric is a modern way of finishing the ceiling, which allows you to get not only an ideal surface, but also protect property from an unexpected flood. When choosing a coating, it should be remembered that not all materials used are capable of retaining moisture. So, a fabric stretch ceiling will not only allow water to pass through itself, but will also require further replacement. The film surface will delay the flood in the resulting bubble, which can then be eliminated with your own hands.

In a situation where neighbors suddenly flooded, calling specialists is not always possible. Installation companies do not work around the clock, so sometimes you have to deal with the problem yourself.

Do not worry if the ceiling sags a lot: durable material is able to withstand the load for a sufficient amount of time. If the coating leaks, then the installation was performed poorly. In this case, you should get rid of the water as soon as possible in the chosen way.

Finding that the ceiling is flooded, you must do the following:

Turn off the electricity to eliminate the possibility of electric shock;
Remove all valuables and equipment from the room;
Cover the furniture with cellophane or film;
Prepare empty containers.

Then you should choose the area of \u200b\u200bthe ceiling from which the water will drain.

How to remove water from a stretch ceiling yourself: what actions can not be performed

When carrying out self-removal of the water bubble, it is important to strictly follow step by step instructions. Otherwise, replacement of the tension web and repair of the floor surface is inevitable.

There are several common mistakes, which are committed when eliminating the flood with their own hands:

Inability to correctly assess the volume of accumulated fluid;
The desire to pierce the formed bubble;
Elimination of the consequences of the flood by improvised means.

A hole, even the smallest one, should never be made in the ceiling. If the canvas is cut at least 2 millimeters, under the created pressure, the hole instantly turns into a large gap, from which water will gush out.

A correct assessment of the volume of water is important for understanding how many empty containers will be needed to eliminate it. In the process of draining the liquid, it will not be possible to look for additional buckets or basins, so prepare required amount dishes should be in advance. Drained water can be poured simply into the sink.

How to drain water from a stretch ceiling through a mounting ring for a lamp

Not all stretch ceilings have a special valve that is used to drain water in case of flooding. Therefore, the fastest and easy way remove liquid from the ceiling surface - drain it through the mounting ring designed to install a chandelier or lamp.

To carry out the work you will need:

Stepladder or sturdy table;
Hose;
Water tanks.

Before starting work, be sure to turn off the electricity. Water is an excellent conductor, so you should protect yourself from electric shock.

First you need to remove the chandelier or spotlight by standing on the prepared stepladder. Then insert the hose into the hole, securing the other end over the empty container. Now you should lift the bubble with water and direct the liquid to the side where the mounting ring is located. It is better to do this work together: one will direct the water and change the filling containers, the other will hold the hose, clamping it at the right time.

Sagging stretch ceiling from water: what to do with the edge of the surface

You can also drain water from the formed bubble over the edge of the surface. This method is used when the ceiling does not have a hole for a chandelier or lamp.

First of all, the plinth or masking tape is removed from the selected side of the ceiling. Next, a part of the canvas is carefully removed from under the frame, under which an empty container is substituted.

The edge of the material should be aligned with the lowest point of the water bubble. To do this, it must be pulled very slowly and carefully so that the entire volume of water does not rush to the floor.

Then the liquid is poured into the container, controlling its flow by the tension of the material. To prevent water from spreading over the surface, you do not need to try to smooth the bubble with your hands. Remaining liquid in a closed ceiling space will lead to the formation of mold and fungus.

How to dry a stretch ceiling after flooding: expert help

Tension fabric after stretching as a result of flooding will not return to its original shape without heat treatment. If you can drain the water yourself, then it is better to dry the surface with the help of specialists.

Attempts to smooth the material are useless. The ceiling will acquire its former appearance only after warming up.

The company that provided the installation services of the tension web usually gives a certificate for maintenance and a guarantee for a certain period. During this time, you can contact the company for help in eliminating the flood itself and its consequences. The specialist will necessary work, which also includes heating stretch ceiling heat gun, which will return it to its original appearance.

In the case when the warranty period has expired or the installation was carried out by installers who do not represent the interests of a particular company, do not despair and prepare to buy a new canvas. You should contact any company that is engaged in the maintenance of stretch ceilings, and carry out the necessary work for a moderate fee.

How to drain water from a stretch ceiling (video)

In case of an unexpected flood of a stretch ceiling, you should not panic: durable material is able to withstand water pressure for some time. The elimination of the formed bubble can be done independently, without turning to professionals. To do this, just follow simple instructions. However, to restore a flat surface, you need to contact the installation company: only a specialist with a heat gun will return the original appearance of the ceiling.

Modern stretch ceilings look beautiful, they can be matched to any interior. The canvas of such a ceiling is made either from a very durable fabric-based material with special processing, or from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. It is very elastic and is able to stretch significantly, while remaining strong.

1 sq.m. modern stretch ceiling can withstand up to 100 liters of water

The practicality of stretch ceilings in everyday life is manifested in their ability to retain water when leaking.. Stretch ceiling can withstand about a hundred liters of water for each square meter area. However, the repair of such ceilings is quite complicated. If you were flooded by neighbors from above, the ceiling panel will form a bubble, which, depending on the amount of water and its temperature, can sag to the floor. How to independently eliminate the water bubble and restore the ceiling without resorting to the help of specialists?

Stretch ceiling restoration after flooding

The possibility of restoring a stretch ceiling after flooding will depend on the type of fabric used to make it and the temperature of the liquid that flooded the ceiling space.

If the ceiling is made of a fabric material with a special polyurethane impregnation, most likely, after drying, it will leave stains and yellow water stains that cannot be removed. Such material is very sensitive to moisture and the ceiling will most likely have to be replaced with a new one or at least repainted.
A ceiling made of PVC film is not afraid of cold liquid, however hot water can stretch it to the point of breaking. After drainage of water and drying, the PVC film completely restores its properties.
If there is a breakthrough in the heating pipes, in which the water temperature is more than 70 degrees, the stretch ceiling made of any material is highly deformed and, as a rule, needs to be replaced. To do this, it will be possible to use the installed mounting system.

There are two ways to drain water from the stretch ceiling space. In the first method, the drain is performed through the hole provided in the panel for the lamp, pipes or utilities. The second method is used if there are no technical holes on the ceiling. If you are confident in your own abilities, you can try to drain the water yourself, following the recommendations below.

Important! Be careful - improper water drainage work can lead to the fact that the ceiling will have to be replaced with a new one.

A brief description of the possibilities of restoration of the ceiling after flooding is given in the table. Using the data on the material of the ceiling and the presence of holes for technical communications in it, decide on the method of its restoration or make a decision to replace the ceiling.

Table. Possibility of ceiling restoration.

Preparatory work

Once you have discovered the effects of the flood, turn off the power at the switchboard so that current is not supplied to the ceiling lights in the room where the ceiling sag has formed. It is necessary to protect yourself and prevent a short circuit. Water conducts electricity well, you risk your life by working with electricity on.

It is necessary to carry out a series preparatory work before you start draining the ceiling space.

Method 1: ceiling with a technical hole

A hole can be provided not only for a chandelier, but also for other technical objects, for example, heating pipes or a special hatch.

Remove the chandelier from the ceiling. Under it will be a mounting ring with a hole in the center. Water must be drained through this hole.
Close the hole with your fingers and slowly pull it towards you so that it is below the water level, i.e. it should be below the ceiling sag. Place a bucket under the hole and drain the water.
Change the containers as they fill up until the water stops pouring out of the hole. Be careful not to stretch the ceiling fabric too much, but also do not leave liquid residue in the ceiling space.
For water drainage, you can enter rubber hose into the hole and pump out the liquid with any low-power household pump.

Method 2: solid ceiling

If there are no technical holes in the ceiling, choose an inconspicuous part of the ceiling for drainage, for example, the corner near the door.

Remove the decorative plinth attached to the edge of the ceiling.
Using a blunt object, release the edge of the ceiling sheet from the mount so as not to damage it. Bend the canvas and insert the rubber hose into the slot. If there is no hose, just pull the canvas below the level of the lowest point of the bubble. You should not stretch the material too much, it is elastic enough, do everything slowly and carefully.
Carefully drain the water into a container underneath.
Let the ceiling dry and restore its original shape. After that put ceiling plinth in place.

Final works

If you were absent for a long time and did not immediately take up the elimination of the consequences of flooding, the water in the ceiling will be stagnant. In this case, it will be necessary to thoroughly rinse the place where the liquid has accumulated. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the ceiling canvas. Processing with special detergents, provided that their action is not aggressive to the material of the panel.

To completely get rid of the leak, you need to let the ceiling dry until it restores its original shape. This may take several days. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the process. Dry the ceiling sheet thoroughly to prevent it from blooming and mold formation. Only after that it will be possible to hang the lamp again (during the first method of repair) or tuck the canvas back into the mount (during the second method of restoring the ceiling).

Note! The last thing to do at the end of the restoration is to turn on the electricity.

Errors in draining water from a stretch ceiling

At the slightest doubt about the ability to independently drain the water from the ceiling space, you should contact the experts. Mistakes in this matter can cost you at least the cost of a new stretch ceiling.

Video - How to drain water from a stretch ceiling yourself

Stretch ceiling in the kitchen - practical and modern solution decorating the room. This type of finish is durable and resistant to aggressive environments, which is very important for places where food is cooked daily. A stretch ceiling can look like a single, even canvas or have local multi-level inserts using drywall.

The finishing material has a glossy or matte base, as well as a wide color scheme. When making a service, the design of the future structure is carefully discussed with the customer.

Stretch ceiling can be installed in any room, regardless of its shape and size. In standard premises, all work is carried out within a few hours. In terms of price-quality ratio, this finishing option is an economically advantageous solution that simultaneously performs a decorative and practical function.

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Ceiling in the children's room

Ceiling decoration is an important stage in creating the overall design of the room. This question becomes especially relevant when decorating a children's room. A high-quality stretch ceiling in a nursery is not only an element of decor, but also a guarantee of environmental safety. Therefore, when choosing a material for such premises, you should always give preference to trusted manufacturers, and also trust the implementation installation work only for professionals.

In addition to the aesthetic appearance, stretch ceilings are very durable, reliable and can be easily mounted by craftsmen within a few hours. The indisputable advantage of the material is also high noise reduction and unpretentiousness in cleaning.

When ordering the installation of a stretch ceiling in a nursery, you should not limit yourself to standard forms. The ability to create multi-level structures and the use of photo printing allows you to visually expand the room, which is very important for children's worldview.

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Practical PVC film ceiling

The PVC film ceiling is a fashionable and practical decor element for any room. Plasticity, which changes under the influence of high temperatures, gives decorativeness to the material. After installation, a flat ceiling area creates a visual effect of a solid surface, which is very convenient when decorating imperfections and irregularities.

PVC film has many textures and shades, which allows you to realize any design ideas. After calling the measurer, the installation of the ceiling covering is carried out within 2-3 hours. When carrying out work, the release of the premises from the furniture is not required.

In modern design solutions multi-level structures are often used, which allow you to visually change the size of the room and go beyond the classic repair. Due to its high strength and reliability, PVC film is ideal for such a design. The durability and quality of a stretch ceiling can only be guaranteed by a professional installer.

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Multi-colored solution - soldering canvases

The method of soldering stretch ceilings allows you to create original single-level models decorative finishes. The combined surface design is produced by serial materials or according to an individual sample of the customer. To make your dream come true, it is enough to contact a professional company with an approximate sketch of the finished canvas. There are no restrictions on graphic design: solder edges can be either straight or curved. After placing an order, the drawing is transferred to electronic media and finalized taking into account the characteristics of the room.

Spikes of various textures and colors are much cheaper than multi-level structures. In addition, this technology allows visual zoning of premises. The combined canvas is quite easy to care for. To guarantee the durability of the structure can only professional craftsmen. This should be taken into account when placing an order.

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Most residents apartment buildings aware of the possibility of flooding the apartment from the upper floors. Therefore, water on a stretch ceiling is, although an infrequent, but quite probable phenomenon. Knowing how to fix this problem and its consequences will help you deal with the task quickly and efficiently.

How much water can a stretch ceiling withstand

Manufacturers claim: stretch ceilings are a barrier to water and guaranteed protection of the interior of the apartment from flooding, provided that the volume of water per square meter of coverage does not exceed 100 liters. In doing so, a number of factors must be taken into account:

the larger the area of the stretch ceiling, the lower the permissible load on the canvas;
the higher the degree of tension of the material, the lower its density and strength;
of great importance are the properties of the material from which the stretch ceiling is made.

The actual amount of water that a stretch ceiling can withstand per square meter is from 70 to 120 liters.

The material from which stretch ceilings are made can be of two types: fabric fabric or PVC film.

Properties of a stretch ceiling made of PVC film

Polyvinyl chloride film, or PVC film for short, has high elasticity and strength. When in contact with water, it does not change color, does not absorb or pass moisture. When flooded, water does not spread over the surface of the ceiling. The film coating stretches and sags in the place where the water originally entered, forming a so-called bubble.

Do not pierce the bubble to drain the water. A small hole under the weight of water will very quickly turn into a large tear in the film. It will be impossible to restore the coverage.

Video: what happens to a PVC stretch ceiling during a flood

Fabric stretch ceiling properties

Fabric stretch ceilings do not tolerate interaction with water. Water-resistant qualities are provided by a special varnish coating. But with poor-quality varnishing, the stretch ceiling in some places passes water. The fabric base of the ceiling has low elasticity; during flooding, it stretches slightly and practically does not sag. At in large numbers water, it breaks out of the mounts and cannot be restored.

Video: what happens to a fabric suspended ceiling when flooded with water

How many days will a stretch ceiling flooded with water last?

If the amount of water on the ceiling does not increase, then the stretch ceiling can hold it indefinitely. Do not delay the solution of the problem for long term. high humidity in a closed space above the ceiling contributes to the formation of mold. In addition, the film, which is strongly stretched under the weight of water, can burst when it comes into contact with the edges of the lamp, the corners of furniture, or some sharp object. There is a risk of rupture if water has accumulated at the junction of the stretch ceiling coverings. It is advisable to drain within 2-3 days, following the rule: the sooner you start solving the problem, the sooner it will disappear.

How to remove water from a stretch ceiling

Most firms involved in the installation of stretch ceilings also provide their service, have necessary tools and skills to deal with such issues. Therefore, to eliminate water, you can attract professionals.

Priority measures

Immediately after detecting water on the stretch ceiling, do the following:

Turn off the electricity. This will eliminate the possibility of a short circuit in the mains and electric shock upon contact with water.
Notify neighbors of an existing problem or shut off the water supply to the riser. This must be done so that the amount of water on the ceiling does not increase. The tap that shuts off the water riser is usually located in the basement.
If you are not confident in your own abilities, contact the manager of the company that provides services for the maintenance of stretch ceilings. Describe the problem that has arisen and agree on the date and time of the visit of specialists.
Remove things from the room that can be damaged by water: appliances, carpets and other items.
Cover large furniture with plastic wrap.
Prepare containers for collecting water: buckets, basins, pots. There must be many.

How to drain water yourself

Find at least one assistant for work, and preferably two. You can't remove water alone.
Choose a place on the ceiling through which you will drain. The most convenient way to do this is through the holes for lighting fixtures. If they are not there or they are far from the accumulation of water, you can choose the nearest area for attaching the suspended ceiling to the wall for draining.
Place a ladder or a sturdy, stable table under the drain.
Remove the lamp or chandelier. By the time this procedure begins, the appliance should already be de-energized.
Remove the decorative tape, carefully detach the stretch ceiling harpoon from the aluminum profile using a special spatula with rounded ends.
Hold the edge of the canvas firmly so that it does not tear out of your hands. Otherwise, the water will flood the room.
Use a rubber hose. Insert one end of it into the hole on the ceiling and bring it to the place where water accumulates. Dip the other end into a collection container.
The assistant should slightly lift and hold the sagging ceiling. In this case, the water will rush through the hose into the collection container.
When the container is filled with water, pinch the end of the hose with your fingers and lower it into another container. The second assistant can empty the containers and be in the wings.
If the hole for the light is at the bottom of the water bladder, the hose does not need to be used. The water will automatically pour into the bucket.
Proceed in this way: when the water flow decreases, lift the sagging part of the ceiling a little more and drain the water into the containers. The well-coordinated work of a team of two or three people will very quickly lead to the desired result.
After removing all the water from the ceiling covering, thread the harpoon of the web into the baguette profile, if using an edge drain. Install the lamp or chandelier in place after the canvas is completely dry.

Video: how to drain water from a stretch ceiling

Without a special skill, it is not recommended to smooth out a sagging stretch ceiling, trying to move water to the drain hole. Water can spill over a larger surface, it will be more difficult to collect it. The best solution would be to use a flexible hose to drain the water.

How to dry the canvas after draining the water

After draining the water at the place of its concentration, the tension fabric has a sagging, severely deformed surface. It can be returned to its original form by heat treatment. Firms specializing in this for high-quality drying use heat guns. The process takes very little time and there is no trace of the former deformations of the ceiling.

This problem can be solved independently, using a building or ordinary hair dryer, turning it on to the maximum temperature and holding it at a distance of 20-30 cm from the ceiling surface. The work is quite laborious and will take a lot of time, but it will allow you to achieve a good result.

How to prevent water from entering the stretch ceiling

You can avoid flooding the apartment or getting water on the stretch ceiling by waterproofing the floor in the apartment from above: laying a bituminous and roofing felt screed. In this case, all the water spilled in the apartment from above will remain within this apartment. The method requires serious construction works: must be removed flooring, pave waterproofing materials and re-lay linoleum or lay tiles. It will not protect against flooding when pipes leak in the ceiling between floors. To start all this for the sake of prevention is impractical. If the neighbors from above are starting repairs, then it makes sense to talk with them about waterproofing the floor.

As you can see, eliminate water from the stretch ceiling and completely restore it appearance not difficult. But if you don’t want to do this on your own, you can turn to professionals for help, and present the bill for their services to neighbors from above.

Stretch ceiling is a tribute to modern fashion. It not only looks stunningly beautiful indoors, but has practical value in case of a flood. It is not uncommon for neighbors from above to keep track of their plumbing and water will begin to seep through the joints of concrete floors into your apartment. Or maybe you live on the top floor and during the next downpour the roof of the house began to leak. It threatens to ruin new renovation and expensive furniture, but if you have a stretch ceiling installed, then it will not allow undesirable consequences. It is enough to know how to drain water from a stretch ceiling, the basic techniques and clearly follow the sequence of work.

Will any ceiling save from the flood?

Some ceiling installers tout their products with might and main, and all are credited with water retention properties. But this is only partly true. The fact is that the material from which the canvas is made plays a huge role. If this is a seamless fabric-based ceiling, then in its manufacture a fabric of complex weaving is used with additional impregnation with a polyurethane composition. This impregnation is designed to provide waterproof properties of the cloth, but this is not always effective.

For a while it is able to withstand the onslaught of water, but over time it will still begin to ooze. As a result, such a ceiling will have to be completely changed, because after water it will leave stains and ugly yellowish spots that cannot be washed off. Therefore, we do not recommend installing fabric-based ceilings in rooms with a high probability of flooding, i.e. in bathrooms and kitchens.

For these rooms, PVC ceilings are just right, and it doesn’t matter. The PVC film does not let water through a single drop and is able to withstand 100 liters of water at a time, only by stretching strongly and forming a huge bubble. Such a film will not tear, as it is very durable. There is a risk of rupture if the room is flooded hot water, under the influence of which the film will stretch even more and may touch some sharp object or corner of furniture, then the film will tear.

But, as a rule, a flood of hot water is rare, and then by the time the water finds its way to the lower floor, it will have time to cool down. Vinyl film after removal of water tends to restore its original properties.

How to drain water from a stretch ceiling yourself

If the flood occurred in the daytime, then the main thing is to immediately de-energize the apartment. Everyone knows that water is an excellent conductor and if it gets on an electrical device, a short circuit and a fire can occur, not to mention the fact that a person who starts to drain water from the ceiling will be subjected to electric shock, and this is sometimes fatal. Next, call the company that installed your ceiling. According to the contract, they are obliged to drain the water free of charge. But it is not always possible to do this if this moment The company no longer exists. This is in the event that you managed to hire a one-day company. Then call any other company that installs stretch ceilings. They come to such calls quickly, but for their services you will have to pay about 4,000 rubles.

But what to do if the flood occurred at night or on a weekend, because it usually happens when you least expect it. You will have to act on your own, as well as foresee undesirable consequences, such as a film breakthrough. Therefore, it is necessary to take out valuable things as much as possible, cover the furniture with a film. It is necessary to prepare containers for water, the more the better. It’s better to call someone else for help, it will be inconvenient to drain the water and change buckets yourself. If a bubble has formed in the bathroom, it will be a little easier - just lower the hose into the bathroom.

First step. Determine the location of the water outlet. Ideally, if this is a hole for the lamp. If the ceiling is solid or there is no way to remove the lighting fixture, then you need to get close to the bubble through one of the corners. Estimate the approximate amount of water to know how many containers you need to prepare. It is not difficult for specialists to determine the volume of a bubble, they make a certain calculation.

Second step. We remove the masking tape covering the technological gap, and carefully remove the corner of the ceiling from the baguette.

If we act through the lamp, then it must first be removed.

Next, you need to take a longer hose and lower it into the bosom of the bubble through the corner or hole for the lamp, then slowly drain the water while sucking, and while your assistant runs to pour out the water, bend the hose in anticipation of an empty container.

If there was no hose at hand, you can pull the film to the water level and make it flow through the hole, as we see in this photo.

Third step. The water was safely drained, now we have to wait until morning or Monday to call all the same craftsmen with a heat gun. With the help of it, specialists will dry the film and the ceiling to prevent the formation of mold.

Then the film will be hoisted to its rightful place, and with the help of the same gun or an industrial hair dryer, the original appearance of the stretch ceiling will be returned. In the event that you do not have the funds to call the masters, then after draining, you must leave the corner open for several days so that everything inside dries out properly. After returning the film to its place, process the edges with a regular hair dryer. This method is suitable if the flood was not catastrophic and the film practically did not stretch.

You can see the whole process of saving the ceiling with your own eyes on this video

Common Mistakes

Due to inexperience and the desire to do everything quickly, we tend to make some mistakes.

There is a great temptation for inexperienced people to pierce the bubble and drain the water through the hole formed. Under no circumstances should this be done. Under the enormous pressure of water, even the smallest hole will burst into a big gust that cannot be fixed in any way. Only replacing the ceiling with a new one will correct the situation.
Don't make a wave. So I want to use my hands to fit the accumulated water to the hole for the lighting fixture. You can’t do this, otherwise you can scratch the ceiling or drive water into places where it will be more difficult to drive it out. Over time, the moisture accumulated in secluded corners will begin to bloom and a fungus will start. We don't need it at all.

In order not to inadvertently spoil the stretch ceiling, the best solution would be to entrust the work to specialists. Especially if you have to dismantle the film for draining, which can tear during the removal process. Usually, after a flood, along with water, construction debris, plaster, and some pebbles flow down to the ceiling. Experts will easily remove the ceiling, clean it, dry the film and the base floor, and then return the room to its previous appearance. The cost of the work will depend on the complexity of the process, but as we have said, you can ask for help from your "native" company to eliminate the flood for free.