Why the sofa creaks and what to do: 3 ways to fix furniture

The sofa is the most popular furniture in city apartments, so its normal performance characteristics are important. The sound made by furniture under load can greatly irritate owners. Sometimes creaking is characteristic of a new product when the connections are poorly fitted, sometimes this appears after prolonged use. Each individual case has its own reason for the “musicality” of the object.

If an old wooden sofa creaks, there may be several reasons.

The sofa can be repaired using various materials not listed, since each model is individual.

When you decide to figure out why your sofa is squeaking, you need to gain some knowledge about the structure you're dealing with. The reason could be a spring block rusted from moisture, wood that has dried out over time, and much more.

The sound made by furniture under load can greatly irritate owners.

Creaking sounds of wooden structures

If an old wooden sofa creaks, there may be several reasons.

Each individual case has its own reason for the “musicality” of the object.

When upholstered furniture (sofa), wooden or metal, creaks, you need to arm yourself with tools.

The most likely of them:

• drying out of any part and the appearance of cracks;
• the spring block is deformed or one of the springs is bent (broken).

When you decide to figure out why your sofa is squeaking, you need to gain some knowledge about the structure you're dealing with.

Wood loses its elasticity over time. Its structure is changing. While some tree species are resistant to moisture (for example, aspen), others can be quite fragile and quickly fail. Much depends on the correct use and care of the product. Both one panel and all wooden parts can dry out if normal humidity conditions were not observed during operation or the furniture was placed in direct sunlight.

Sometimes creaking is characteristic of a new product when the connections are poorly fitted, sometimes this appears after prolonged use.

The sofa needs to be disassembled before work.

The cause may also be loose (or too tight fasteners). The sofa makes a characteristic grinding sound. It is also possible for the padded batting or other soft upholstery material to become thin and deformed in other ways.

The reason could be a spring block rusted from moisture, wood that has dried out over time, and much more.

It is necessary to examine the internal state of the furniture and determine the location of the creaking noise.

If old wooden furniture creaks, you will need to replace the spring unit or its parts. The first is preferable, since we are talking about wear of the material as a whole, and then another spring or section may break. Connecting individual links is quite labor-intensive work.

Wood loses its elasticity over time.

One reason may be wear and tear of the soft cushioning material. Over time, due to humidity, they could rot and turn into dust, creating access for the connecting elements to each other, which is why the creaking occurred.

Much depends on the correct use and care of the product.

To correct the deficiency, prepare the tools.

A product that is too old is a little more difficult to tidy up. To determine the exact cause, the sofa should be carefully disassembled. It is likely that replacing elements or lubricant will be sufficient. Otherwise, you may need to buy new furniture.

The cause may also be loose (or too tight fasteners).

Questions and answers

What if during lubrication you accidentally used more oil than necessary?

Simply blot off the excess with napkins. If the sofa folds out, it would be a good idea to unfold and reassemble it several times so that the lubricant is evenly distributed among the parts.

What can be used for lubrication instead of machine oil?

As an alternative, lithol can be used.

Which sofas start squeaking most often?

Folding sofas with book and accordion mechanisms are most susceptible to squeaking.

Is it possible to somehow determine which part of the sofa is creaking without disassembling it?

The maximum that can be done is to determine by ear whether the wooden part of the sofa is creaking or whether the metal springs are making an unpleasant sound.

What to do if after lubrication the springs do not stop squeaking?

You can try placing a small piece of fabric between the contacting elements.

Thus, the solution to the question of why the sofa creaks and how to fix this problem depends on the specific case. By following the basic operating rules, you can delay the appearance of an unpleasant squeak and extend the life of your furniture.

Creaking sounds of metal structures

If the sofa has a metal structure, then most often one of the joint sections creaks. The spring block or one of its link rings may have broken. Regular subsidence is also possible. The reason is often fastening defects - rusted or loose bolts.

If you find that your sofa is creaking a lot, you can fix it at home.

Before adding lubricant, clean the surfaces from dust and grease stains.

When metal furniture squeaks, you also need to check the lubricant level. The sofa can make an unpleasant sound if it is not level.

The sofa may have side parts or corners that have sagged from long-term loads.

The cause of the deficiency is also the deformation of the supporting structure. The sofa may have side parts or corners that have sagged from long-term loads.

The cause of the deficiency is also the deformation of the supporting structure.

Sometimes squeaking occurs due to friction between metal parts.

Causes of an unpleasant squeak

Before you start repairing your bed, you need to become familiar with the main causes of extraneous noise.

Fasteners

Most modern bed models are made of metal frames, which are most often the source of unpleasant creaking noises. Cheap furniture uses metal bolts to fasten elements, which over time begin to rust and become loose.

In this case, you will have to disassemble the structure and check all fasteners. If necessary, they are replaced with new ones. If this is not possible, you can lubricate them. This will help get rid of creaking sounds for a short period of time. If the connecting component is rusty, there is no need to lubricate it, as it must be replaced.

Connections in the mechanism

Each bed has a special transformation mechanism built into it, with the help of which the product changes its shape. The following types of sofa mechanisms are distinguished, which are most often found:

1. Eurobook. This is the most popular model and is used in most sofas. When unfolding such a structure, you need to slightly extend the seat and lower the backrest located at the back. For such products, fastening screws or rollers may creak.
2. Pantograph. This mechanism is very similar to the previous one, since when unfolding, you also need to move the seat forward. The only difference is that this model does not have casters. Therefore, the creaking sound comes from the screws.
3. Puma. When transforming such a sofa, the seat smoothly rises and then moves forward. The second half of the structure is lifted up and also moved to the side. If the connecting parts of the Puma are not lubricated for a long time, they begin to creak.

Spring sagging

Some types of sofas are equipped with spring blocks, which make the structure more elastic. Over time, they wear out, which leads to sagging of the springs installed in the block. Not only the old, but also the new sofa can suffer from this problem. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to carefully inspect the products and check them for sagging springs. If the springs sag, it is necessary to completely replace the unit with a new one. It is better to entrust such work to professionals who repair beds and other furniture.

Cracks in the frame

The frames of many sofa structures are made of durable and high-quality wood. Gradually, the wood dries out, and cracks appear in it, which creak unpleasantly when any load appears. Most often, such furniture cracks in the armrests, backs, side boards and bottom panels.

If the creaking appears due to cracking of dry wood, you will have to completely replace the part. Some try to repair them with adhesive, but this repair method is not effective. Even after gluing, the crack may continue, causing the squeak to appear again. Therefore, it is better not to waste time gluing damaged parts and replace them with new ones.

Necessary materials

If you find that your sofa is creaking a lot, you can fix it at home. For repairs you will need:

• upholstery material;
• batting or other soft cushioning base;
• springs (or a whole block);
• PVA glue;
• plywood board;
• metal corners, etc.;
• bolts and other types of suitable fasteners;
• staples.

The reason is often fastening defects - rusted or loose bolts.

The sofa can be repaired using various materials not listed, since each model is individual.

It is likely that replacing elements or lubricant will be sufficient.

Prevention of breakdowns

It is important not only to know how to eliminate creaking in sofas, but also to understand how to use them so that extraneous sounds do not appear. After all, proper care of furniture will significantly extend its service life. To prevent the sofa from creaking, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Metal fasteners are treated with special products twice a year. Lack of lubrication is a common reason when a sofa accordion or other folding structures with steel mechanisms squeak.
2. During constant use, it is important not to overload the product; you should sit on it carefully (the problem is relevant for children's rooms, when a child or several children love active games on upholstered furniture).
3. When rearranging, you need to move the sofa carefully, removing unnecessary things from it (including from the linen compartment, if there is one). It is recommended that you move furniture not alone, but together, so as not to disturb its geometry, damage the structure, or scratch the floor.

If your sofa creaks, fixing the problem is quite simple. All work can be done at home if you follow the instructions. Professional repairs are only required if there is significant damage to the structure.

Don't jump

Move with two people

Treat with special means

Required Tools

When upholstered furniture (sofa), wooden or metal, creaks, you need to arm yourself with tools. The main auxiliary means will be:

• set of screwdrivers (screwdriver with replaceable bits);
• construction stapler;
• pliers.

Over time, due to humidity, they could rot and turn into dust, creating access for the connecting elements to each other, which is why the creaking occurred.

The sofa needs to be disassembled before work. It is necessary to examine the internal state of the furniture and determine the location of the creaking noise.

One reason may be wear and tear of the soft cushioning material.

What to do if the spring block creaks

A common cause of squeaking is considered to be a malfunction of the spring unit, which is installed in most structures. You can get rid of extraneous sounds by replacing the block, which is performed in several stages:

Unscrew the fastening elements of the block. After unscrewing, they are carefully inspected and checked for rust. If they are rusty, it is better to replace them with new bolts. Remove the spring block

You need to take it out carefully so as not to damage the sofa. Install a new block. When the old structure with sagging springs is removed, a new block is placed in its place.

Repair process: step-by-step instructions

To correct the deficiency, prepare the tools. Be prepared for the fact that it is necessary to change the seat upholstery to a new one, since the edges of the old one under staples or nails will “fray” over time. When replacing a spring unit, make sure to select its size in advance.

1. Unscrew the fasteners, evaluate their condition: is there any rust or worn threads, are they well fitted and tightened. If any integrity problems are detected, replace bolts and other fastening elements that have failed. A corroded block must definitely be replaced, since rust has already damaged the structure of the metal, making it brittle. If the sound still remains, then look for another reason.
2. If the spring block is not broken or rusted, fix it with pliers by carefully squeezing the rings and tightening the fasteners on the side panels.
3. Renew the inside of the sofa that has sagged and therefore creaks. If the batting, foam rubber or other cushioning material has become thin, replace it - due to the lack of friction, the sound will not be reproduced under load. The layer should be made thick enough so that the iron parts do not touch. A plywood layer placed under the spring block will provide greater stability. After making the top pad from foam or batting, carefully stretch the upholstery material and secure it with staples using a stapler.
4. If the reason that the furniture creaks is due to dry and cracked wood, then it is necessary to replace the part (panel or side board, back, armrests). Of course, you can use a permanent adhesive, but there is no guarantee that the cracks will not spread further. It is better to completely inspect the wooden sofa to identify any gaps due to drying out. Sometimes it’s easier not to renew worn-out material, but to buy a modern product to replace the old one.
5. When repairing a folding sofa, it is necessary to assess the condition of the transformation mechanism - it may be a problem. This can be corrected in two ways - by securing the elements or completely replacing them.
6. If the creaking occurs due to uneven supports, then they should be adjusted in height. To do this, you can use plastic plugs or other durable materials at hand.

If old wooden furniture creaks, you will need to replace the spring unit or its parts.

Sometimes squeaking occurs due to friction between metal parts. In iron structures, the situation is saved by lubricating the elements with machine oil. Gently drip it along the joints of the fasteners, being careful not to let it touch the wooden parts or upholstery. Before adding lubricant, clean the surfaces from dust and grease stains.

It is also possible for the padded batting or other soft upholstery material to become thin and deformed in other ways.

How to detect the source without dismantling the bed

It will be much easier to determine why the bed creaks if two people look for the reason at once. One of them will loosen the furniture, and the other will listen. The cause of the creaking, as has already been found out, can be different elements of furniture, therefore, in order not to completely disassemble the structure, you can resort to some of the methods described below. The bed creaks - what to do:

1. First, remove the mattress. Take out the base. It consists of slats located across the bed under the mattress;
2. Place the mattress on the floor and check. The cause of the squeaking is the springs located inside. Stand on the mattress, walk around it, sit down. If there is no creaking sound, then the problem is different;
3. The mattress sometimes rubs against the bed itself, coming into contact with the walls of the frame. Put it back and check. Stagger or sit down, a creaking should appear;
4. Press on the orthopedic base and pump slightly. The source can be wooden slats that are not fastened correctly or if they have cracks or chips. Often, in inexpensive bed models, the self-tapping screws or screws used to attach the slats to the base cause squeaking;
5. Sometimes the reason is not in the foundation, but in the frame. Then you need to carefully check the entire bed. Shake it in different areas. It is possible that the entire structure has become loose and additional fasteners will be required to enhance the strength of the frame;
6. Beds with a lift mechanism can also squeak. An unpleasant sound appears in the mechanism itself. Repairing it is quite complicated, so it is recommended to replace it;
7. The legs also sometimes make an unpleasant sound. It appears due to their contact with the floor when the bed is uneven. This can mainly be determined by looking at the legs of the bed. Most likely, some of them will not reach the floor. In this case, you can put special stands under them. It is also common that the legs do not fully contact the bed frame, they rotate and creak;
8. Check the support bars. They are necessary for installing an orthopedic base and mattress. They are attached to the base and are made of wood or metal. You need to press on the slats and listen to see if a creak appears or not.

Check if the floor is squeaking. There are cases when the sleeping place is located on a wooden floor. Over time, the boards begin to creak and the sound seems to be coming from the bed. The sleeping place must be moved away and checked whether unpleasant sounds are heard in another place.

Remove the mattress

Press down on the mattress

Check the slats

Check the lifting mechanism

Rules of care

To prevent a sofa installed in an apartment from creaking, it must be properly cared for:

• upholstered furniture should be installed in rooms where the temperature is in the range of 15-30 degrees Celsius;
• beds should not be too close to heating appliances;
• if the product begins to creak, a visual inspection must be done;
• To prevent the structure from creaking, the fasteners and connections of the mechanism are lubricated every 1-2 years;
• If cracks appear on the side panels, they are immediately replaced with new ones.

How to request a refund for a sofa that has defects

To return the sofa, it is necessary to properly prepare the complaint; it is drawn up in 2 copies. In order to return a sofa to the store if it squeaked and ask for a refund for it, you need to go to the very furniture store where you made the purchase.

In the event that the store management immediately refuses and does not meet you halfway, does not want to refund your money, or replace it with another product, you need to prepare a written complaint.

Remember: the seller must respond to your application within no more than ten days. If you believe that the furniture is substantially defective, and the store refuses your request, then you have the right to go to court to protect your interests and rights. For proceedings in court, it may be necessary to conduct an independent examination.

Before filing your claim with law enforcement agencies, you can seek qualified assistance from experts. If this claim is subsequently positively reviewed in court, then the seller will be required to reimburse all your costs for the examination.

In any case, we advise you to seek advice from lawyers who can competently provide the necessary assistance.

Didn't find the answer to your question? Find out how to solve exactly your problem - call right now:

The creaking of the sofa is incredibly annoying. Whether it's new furniture or an old favorite chair, squeaking sounds are distracting, annoying and infuriating. Owners feel especially uncomfortable when guests come into the house and sit down on your new soft corner. And then a creak appears...

A wooden or metal frame may make noise if its parts are poorly fastened and rub against each other.

Upholstery replacement

Pet owners know first-hand about coating problems. Replacement is also carried out after severe contamination and obsolescence of the casing. Only the complexity of the implementation depends on the material, and not the process itself. But still, it is better to entrust the replacement of leather and leatherette to professionals.

Disassembled sofa for repair work

Required tools and materials:

• Construction stapler and staples.
• Sewing kit.
• Screwdriver and screwdriver.
• Textile. Commonly used are flock, velor, jacquard, chenille or tapestry.

Flock is a soft, strong, durable, pleasant to the touch material

Beautiful and expensive fabric for upholstery - tapestry

Preventive measures

The correct choice and installation of a bed will help you avoid squeaking:

1. Constant tilt of the frame is a common cause of squeaks. The bed is placed on a perfectly horizontal surface - the floor is flat; if necessary, pads are placed under the hanging legs.
2. A wooden frame is more durable and will last longer. The cheaper the material, the more it dries, deteriorates, and the fastenings weaken.
3. When choosing a bed, check it in the store. All connections must be strong, fit well, and the guide sheets must not dangle.
4. The mattress is chosen with independent springs hidden in separate blocks.
5. When worn, constantly monitor the condition of the fasteners, strengthen loose ties, and tighten bolts.
6. If sawdust or wood dust appears under the frame - metal fasteners destroy the wood, urgent repairs are required.
7. To ensure that the mattress wears evenly and does not sag in some places, it is periodically turned over.

You should not sit, stand, or jump on the bed for a long time.

If your bed starts to squeak, don't stop looking for and eliminating the underlying causes. Typically, minor repairs are required first. If your new bed squeaks, you can try to replace it during the warranty period. If a model that has served for many years creaks, you need to thoroughly prepare for repairs, carry out a complete disassembly and restoration in order to get a good night's sleep again.

Remedies at home

To quickly repair a bed, you need to understand in advance the main ways to eliminate squeaks.

Metal

To eliminate any extraneous sounds from metal structures, you need to check the lubrication of connecting elements and fasteners. First you need to disassemble the products to get to the transformation mechanism. To do this, you will have to get rid of the side panels and, if necessary, remove the rear backrest. Then they check whether the creaking comes from the transformation unit. To do this, you need to try to unfold the sofa.

If noise occurs during unfolding, all connecting and moving parts of the mechanism are lubricated with ordinary machine oil.

After lubrication, the bed is re-checked and reassembled if the squeaks have completely disappeared. Sometimes it is not possible to independently determine the exact cause of the creaking. In this case, call a furniture repair specialist.

Wood

It is no secret that creaks in wooden structures appear due to cracking and drying out of the wood material from which the side panels or frame are made. Therefore, to fix the problem, it is necessary to replace the cracked part.

The easiest way is to replace the wooden side panels. To do this, you need to unscrew the mounting bolts. This must be done carefully so as not to accidentally damage the bed frame and joints. After unscrewing the damaged panels, new ones are installed in their place.

We deal with frame faults

The creaky sofa will still have to be completely disassembled. Carefully remove the upholstery, remove the internal components to get to the frame.

Parts made of wood may crack. This is due to the use of low-quality wood - knotty or damp beams. Having found a cracked part, you need to decide how to remove the squeak: try fixing it yourself by adding strips of plywood or metal over the crack and gluing it for strength. Or you can simply replace the wooden beam with a new, higher quality one.

Perhaps the sound occurs due to a sagging sheet of plywood located under the seat. This is the case when the manufacturer did not provide a sufficient number of jumpers and they are located too rarely. This means you will have to make the missing jumpers with your own hands - the bottom will stop rubbing against the frame and the sounds will disappear.