LED lights have become very popular in recent years. They give an aesthetic look to your home. However, many users complain that their LED light strips keep falling off or hanging.
It is not only inconvenient but also dangerous. So, you should take some preventive measures. In this article, I will guide you on how to keep your strips from falling off.
Table of contents
Why Your LED Strips Keep Falling off?
Before solving any problem, we should know the reasons. It is necessary to tackle the situation. Therefore, I am telling you the most common causes behind falling off strips.
Cause #1. Dirty Surface
One of the common reasons is a dirty surface on which you are installing the lights. Apparently, the surface may look clean and tidy.
But, dust is settled on it. So, the dust particles stick to the strips and reduce adhesive power.
Cause #2. Stressed Wires
Another cause is strained wires or power cables. The power cable is short and you have to pull it. This causes strain and eventually lights fall off.
Cause #3. Chemical or Paint
The surface on which you are pasting the strips has a chemical repellent. For example, the strips cannot stick on the damaged plaster or paint.
Likewise, wooden furniture polish is going out. There can be other chemicals on the surface that destroy the adhesiveness.
Cause #4. Excessive Heat
Heat melts the adhesive and your strips fall off. This heat can be internal or external. Internal heat is produced by overheating or malfunctioning semiconductors in the LED strip light.
While external heat sources include sunlight, heater, and poor ventilation. Heat melts the adhesive and reduces its stickiness.
Cause #5. Moisture and Water
Contact of water with LED strips will diminish their adhesive power. Maybe your ceiling is leaking and rainwater is flowing over the walls.
Sometimes, wooden furniture also releases moisture. Likewise, a metal surface corrodes and pushes off your strips. Kids can also moist the LED lights by spraying from a water gun.
Save Your LED Lights from Falling off
It is not difficult to handle the falling off LED strips. You have to take a few actions before, after, and during the installation process. Kindly follow and understand the instructions for the best results.
1. Clean the Surface
LED strips can be installed on walls, ceilings, furniture, etc. Never stick your strips without cleaning the surface. First, clean the surface on which you want to install the strips.
Use a cloth to rub the surface. It will remove the excessive dust or grease. Rub sandpaper to clean walls further.
You can also apply mild detergent and wash with water. Then, let the surface dry completely. Pat dry before installing the strips.
2. Use Extra Adhesive
LED strips are adhesive. Generally, adhesives do not go well on painted or plastered walls. Therefore, you need some extra adhesive to stick the strips firmly.
Use 3M general purpose, hot glue, or any other strong adhesive. Apply it to the adhesive side of the strips and paste it on the surface. But, avoid using any material that can damage the lights.
3. Decide the Location
Do not stick your LED strips randomly. First, decide the location and position. Do some calculations about the size, bends, and style. Cut the strips into the required sizes.
You should not install them several times. Because the strips will lose their adhesiveness altogether. Stick them in one go like a pro. Mark the pathway to prevent any mismanagement. Check further details here.
4. Install Firmly
After passing through the above-mentioned steps, it is time to install your LED strips. Remove the protective tape and apply some glue evenly. Paste the strips on your desired surface.
Gently apply pressure with both hands so that they can stick firmly. Hold down the strips for a few seconds against the surface. You can also use some objects to apply pressure. But, be sure not to harm your lights.
5. Allow Setting
If you paste the strips on a horizontal surface, you can put some books or other objects to apply pressure. Give the lights some time for setting and drying.
Do not turn them ON immediately. As a final step, check the firmness. Now, you can use your LED strips.
6. Prevent Overheating
Overheating is one of the common reasons your LED strips fall off. Heat melts the glue or adhesive. So, its holding power reduces. The solution is to ensure proper ventilation.
Remove any heat source and protect the strips from exposure to direct sunlight. Moreover, keep your lights switched OFF when they are not in use.
Keeping lights turned ON for several hours can also cause overheating. Cool down the strips by blowing a fan.
7. Reduce Size
If the strips are too long, they cannot maintain balance. Hence, they fall off easily. Cut them into small sizes according to the requirement.
This trick is especially useful if you intend to create complex or ornate models. Adhesive glue becomes strong on small-sized strips.
For example, while pasting the lights on the four walls of your room, use separate strands.
Bonus: The Best Way to Hang LED Strips on the Wall
Since LED strip lights are widely used for decorating purposes, you may want to hang them on the wall. But, most people adopt the wrong approach. Therefore, the strips keep falling off. Here is how I hang light strips on the wall;
- Take a wooden strip of the required length. Mount it on the wall or on the ceiling. (It depends on the height at which you want to hang the lights).
- Use screws or double-sided tape to install the wooden strip. It is ideal if you want to move the lights to another place.
- Take a long and wide piece of cloth matching your curtains. Paste this cloth on the wall where you want to install the lights.
- Use hot glue to paste the cloth. You can style it by braiding or frilling.
- Now, attach two pieces of wires on either side of the LED strips. Tie them to either end of the wooden strip and hang over the cloth.
FAQs Regarding LED Strip Lights
Are you eager to learn more about installing and managing strip lights? Read the following frequently asked questions.
How can I hide LED strip lights in the ceiling?
Use a cloth with adhesive on its back. Paste the cloth on the ceiling and install the LED strips over it. You can also use common curtain fabric and paste it with hot glue. Moreover, stickers or adhesive sheets can also be used to hide LED strips in the ceiling.
What are the best spots around the home to install LED strip lights?
If you install it at the right place, your strips will look cool adding great aesthetic value to your home. You should install LED strips into ceiling cornices, around mirrors and picture frames, under the bed, and on shelf edges. While other spots are stairs, cabinets border, sink or bathtub rim, drawers, and toe kicks.
What is the benefit of putting LED light strips behind my TV?
Putting the LED strips behind the TV will give a cool effect. It will increase the general brightness of the room. Moreover, it helps to avoid eye strain. Strips give soft and cool light as compared to the bulb. So, your room is neither too bright nor too dark.
Also Read: Install LED Strip Lights Around Corners Best Solutions
Final Words
The correct installation method and pre-planning are necessary to keep your LED light strips from falling off. Moreover, a clean surface, ventilation, and strong adhesive are also important. If you consider all these aspects, your lights will not fall off.
