The use of LED strips has grown in popularity over the last few years. These lights are great for accenting and highlighting certain features, such as a fireplace or an aquarium.
You can also use these LED strips to provide ambient light throughout a room. The only problem is that they seem to fall off at the most inconvenient times.
Here in this article, We will show you how to keep led strips from falling off, so your strip stays on all the time!
Summary: LED strip lights are a popular and versatile lighting solution, but keeping them securely attached to surfaces can sometimes be challenging. To prevent LED strips from falling off, it is essential to properly prepare the surface and use the correct mounting materials. Before installation, gather the necessary tools and materials, such as rubbing alcohol, a soft cloth, double-sided tape, adhesive clips, or mounting brackets, depending on your preference and the specific application.
Begin by thoroughly cleaning the surface where the LED strip will be attached. Remove any dust, dirt, or grease to ensure strong adhesion. Use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth to clean the surface, then allow it to dry completely. If your LED strip has a self-adhesive backing, remove the protective liner and carefully press the strip onto the prepared surface, ensuring even and firm contact. For added security, consider using supplementary double-sided tape designed for LED strips or a suitable adhesive, applying it to the back of the strip before mounting.
Alternatively, you can use adhesive clips or mounting brackets to provide additional support and prevent the strip from falling off. Space the clips or brackets evenly along the length of the strip, and secure them to the surface using the provided screws or adhesive backing. Once the clips or brackets are in place, simply snap the LED strip into position. Regularly inspect the strip’s adhesion and the condition of the mounting materials to address any potential issues before the strip falls off.
5 Common Reasons Why Led Strips Keep Falling Off
1. Dust or Debris on The Surface
One of the biggest reasons LED lights to keep falling is because there is dust build-up on the bottom side of the strip. If there is a lot, then it can cause your lights to malfunction or even short out.
2. Placed in the Wrong Position
If the wires are not placed to be pulled out quickly, then they can be yanked or just pulled out. In this case, it will cause the strip to fall off.
3. Chemical Repels
Some of these strips can have an adhesive on the backside designed for water resistance and prevent normal wear and tear.
However, if it has been used a lot, then the adhesive can build up, and too much of any chemical can break down the adhesive so that the strip falls off more quickly, making your led lights fall.
4. Overheating Issues
Because LEDs are semiconductors, they can overheat. If the lights are too close together and there is not much air circulation, then this can cause overheating.
The heat created can make the strips fall off due to poor contact or even short them out.
5. Water Damage
If there is any way that water can get into contact with your LED strips, then they are very likely to be ruined, and you will have to start over from scratch.
However, if it has happened because of improper installation, then you can try to salvage them as best as possible.
Instructions: How To Keep Led Strips From Falling Off
Now that you know some of the reasons why LED strips fall off, we will show you how to keep led strips from falling off, so your strip stays on!
1. Clean Your Surface
You should start by cleaning the surface you will be applying your led strip to because if there is any dust or dirt on your surface, it will significantly reduce the adhesiveness of the strip.
Next, use a rag and mild detergent to clean off all residue from your wall, ceiling, etc. After that, you can rinse with water and pat dry.
2. Apply Adhesive
Next, you should use an adhesive like 3M General Purpose to adhere your led strip to the surface of whatever you are mounting it on. Of course, this will not make your strips stick.
But by using this, you will reduce the chances of them falling off in the future because it will allow them to stick better.
3. Position in Right Place:
Now, you should position your led strip in the proper place before applying any level of pressure to it. Mounting them several times is a no-no, so you should mount them professionally and according to plan!
4. Press Down
Now that you have the correct position, it is time to apply pressure onto your led strip, so it sticks to what it’s stuck on a lot longer.
This weight can be anything from a heavy object to just gravity holding down the strips. You may need both hands, but you can use anything you like to apply pressure.
5. Let Them Dry
Once you have applied the strips and added weight, let them dry for a while until they are permanently on whatever surface they were placed on.
If you do not let them dry properly, they will eventually fall off just as quickly as they did before. Keep in mind that it is best to let everything dry first before adding the weight.
6. Final Test
It’s a good idea to do a final check on your led strips at this point to make sure they are sticking firmly into place. If they are, you can remove the weight and enjoy all the fun benefits of your strip lights!
Additional Tips To Prevent Led Strip From Falling Off
1. Using Hot Glue
Depending on the thickness of your base material, you can use hot glue to attach your led strip to it.
But be careful when applying hot glue, though, because this may melt some components and elements of your model.
2. Try To Manage OverHeating
Overheating will temporarily reduce the adhesive strength of your glue which will make your led strip fall off.
So try to manage this as much as possible by using a small, portable fan near your model.
3. Using A Protective Base
You can use an additional piece of paper or cardboard to create a protective base between your led strip and your model.
This base will protect the adhesive glue from melting when the led is too close to it.
4. Cut Them to Little Sizes
If you want to create a very ornate and complex-shaped model, try to use as many little strips of led as possible.
Using small sizes strips will make the adhesive glue stronger and reduce the chance of it coming off. Although you’ll be needing more light, you can always attach more pieces to your small initial strip.
5. Mount Them on a Channel
If you’re planning to use a long strip of the led strip in order to create an elaborate effect, try mounting it on a small channel or track. It will make your work more organized and easier to manage.
How to Conceal a Led Strip Light in Ceiling?
The best way to conceal your led light strip is by purchasing a length of flexible white cloth with adhesive on its back and stick it to the ceiling where you will be installing the led light.
It’s best if you use one that comes from a curtain because these are usually larger. If you can’t find one, a cloth should do the trick as well, but it will look a little more conspicuous because of its size.
How To Hang Led Strip Lights on the Wall Without Damaging?
If you want to produce a more casual ambiance for your living room, dining room, or bedroom, led strips hanging on the wall will do the job.
To install it in this way, all you need is to mount a strip of wood on the ceiling with two screws or use double-sided tape, which is ideal if you plan to move the lights or want to change its location.
Then, you’ve to glue a long and wide piece of cloth on your wall where you’ll be placing the led strip light. You can use a hot glue gun for this purpose because it is safe when applied to walls.
After that, attach two pieces of wire to either end of the led strip and connect it to a power source. Don’t forget to plug in the lights before you start mounting them on your wall so that you can still see where to place them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do My Led Strip Lights Keep Falling Off?
There can be a few reasons why your LED strip lights might be flickering or going out. The most common issue is that the power supply to the strip might be inadequate, leading to a loss of power to the LEDs. This can happen when there is a problem with the electrical wiring in your installation, or if there is insufficient current flowing through the LED strip.
If the power supply to the LED strip is adequate, then another potential issue is that the LEDs might be failing. Over time, LEDs will start to produce less light due to oxidation and degradation. This will cause the strip to look dimmer and will eventually result in flickering or loss of light altogether.
If you’re experiencing problems with your LED strip lights, it’s best to consult a professional installer or lighting specialist for assistance.
Can You Use Tape to Hold Up Led Lights?
Yes, you can use tape to hold up LED lights. To do this, cut a piece of tape the right size and shape to fit over the LED light and adhere it to the light fixture. Make sure the tape is securely stuck to the light fixture so that it will not move or fall off while you are using it. Then, screw the light fixture onto the wall using the appropriate screws. When you are finished using the tape, simply remove it by peeling it off of the light fixture.
What Type of Glue Should Be Used for Led Strip Lights That Keep Falling?
When it comes to LED strip lights that keep falling, the most common problem is that the adhesive used to attach the LED strips to the backingboard begins to fail. This failure can lead to the LED strips being pulled off of the backingboard, which in turn can cause them to fall down and eventually become damaged or even destroyed.
There are a few different types of glue that can be used to attach LED strips to a backingboard, but the most commonly used glue is hot melt adhesive. This type of adhesive is designed to quickly and easily attach plastic pieces together, and it is usually very effective at holding LED strips in place. However, hot melt adhesive can be affected by temperature and humidity levels, so it is important to take these factors into account when applying it. It is also important to stay aware of the condition of the adhesive itself – if it begins to dry out or start to fail, you should replace it with a new batch of glue.
Can I Staple Led Strip Lights?
Yes, you can staple led strip lights. There are a few things to keep in mind when stapling led strip lights:
1. Make sure the power is off before stapling.
2. Use a heavy-duty staple gun and staples that are at least 1/4″ wide.
3. Hold the light firmly against the surface and staple close to the edge of the light.
4. Do not staple over heating wires or connectors.
5. Remove staples as soon as they are in place; otherwise, they may fuse together and cause damage to the light.
Conclusion:
It is essential to know how to keep led strips from falling off when considering where the light needs to be placed and its purpose. There are a few simple techniques you can use to keep your LED strips from falling out.
For example, if you want a bright accent light on top of your kitchen cabinets that don’t need any wiring, then mounting it with adhesive may work best.
But if you’re trying to illuminate an entire room, consider installing them securely into the walls so they don’t keep fall off!
We hope you now understand and will be able to keep your LED strips lights from falling off in the future! Let us know how it went off!