LED strip lights are a popular lighting product for both indoor and outdoor use. They add color and beauty to any space. Whether it is for lighting or creating a cosy atmosphere, LED light strips are an ideal choice. In this article, we will solve a problem reported by one of my customers. He said that the installed LED light strips tend to fall off. So we need to take some measures to prevent this from happening. To prevent more customers from ordering LED light strips and experiencing this problem. In this article, we will explore some practical solutions on how to prevent your LED light strips from falling off, as well as ensure that your LED lights are firmly installed and durable.
Why Do LED Strip Lights Keep Falling Off?
There are generally two ways to install LED strips. Generally, you can use the 3M adhesive on the back to directly stick it on and install it. The other way is to stick it into the LED profile and get stuck, so it is not easy to fall off. Next, we analysed 6 common situations that can cause LED strips to fall off. More details, pls read Why Are the LED Strip Lights Not Sticking?
Uneven or Dust Surfaces
Uneven surfaces on which LED strips are mounted are a common problem. Even small amounts of dust or debris on the surface can affect the adhesive on LED strips. These particles can hinder adhesion and make it difficult for the strip to adhere securely.
Sometimes you think it won’t fall off at the time, but over time, the LED strip loses its stickiness and it will fall off.
Moisture Damage
Long-term exposure to water or moisture in the air can severely affect the adhesive on LED light strips. When the adhesive comes into contact with moisture or water, the adhesive weakens, eventually causing the light strip to fall off.
LED Strips Overheating Issues Without Ventilation
While LED strip lights are energy efficient, they also generate heat, especially in enclosed spaces. Excessive heat buildup can cause adhesives to degrade, reducing their stickiness. As a result, LED strips can loosen and fall off because heat affects the effectiveness of the adhesive.
Improper wire management
Improper wire management can also cause LED strips to fall off. When installing, if the wires are pulled, twisted, or excessive pressure is applied to the strips, it will cause the strips to fall off. So make sure to organise the wires.
Installation Environment
Environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to certain chemicals in the air in the environment where the LED strips are installed can reduce the strength of the bond over time. These factors may not cause failure immediately, but will gradually weaken the bond, eventually causing the LED strip to lose its bond.
Installation surface
First, the installation surface needs to be considered. If the LED light strip is installed on the wall, it will definitely fall off easily and damage the surface of the wall. So choose the installation surface carefully.
Gravity factor
If the LED strip is long or heavy. For example, a 10-meter strip or a waterproof LED light strip. It will fall off easily, and the weight of the light strip itself may cause it to lift off the surface. So use mounting clips or LED profiles to install it, which is more stable.
How to Fix a Fallen LED Strip Light?
When an LED strip falls off, how do we handle and install it? If your LED strip has encountered such a situation, you can refer to the following steps.
Required tools
To be able to effectively fix the LED strip again, it is crucial to prepare the right tools. The tools required may vary depending on your LED installation method and the surface on which it is installed.
- Clean the surface: Choose a soft, non-abrasive cloth to ensure that you do not scratch the surface when cleaning.
- Suitable tape: According to your installation surface, choose the right adhesive backing to adapt to different materials and usage environments.
- Brush or sponge: These tools can help you spread the adhesive evenly and clean the surface.
- Clips or brackets: Clips or LED profiles: Provide additional support for the LED strip and fix it firmly with mounting clips or LED profiles.
Choose the right tape
Adhesive plays a vital role in the installation process. Choosing the right adhesive can ensure that the LED light strip is firmly fixed. Here are a few key factors to consider:
- Surface material: Whether it is wood, metal or plastic, the type of surface will directly affect the type of adhesive you choose.
- Environmental conditions: Humidity, temperature, sunlight and the effects of chemicals will affect the effectiveness of the adhesive.
- LED strips are waterproof or not: Please consider the weight and material of the light strip. For non-waterproof light strips, ordinary adhesive backing is sufficient. If it is a waterproof LED light strip, it will be better to use mounting clips and LED profiles.
When you use the wrong adhesive, it will indeed lead to installation failure, so it is crucial to find the right adhesive. All LED strip lights are equipped with high-quality 3M tapes, which are easy to install and suitable for most environments. In addition, we can also provide other types of special tapes according to customer needs.
How to Properly Install LED Strip Lights to Prevent Them From Falling Off?
We have to say that properly installing LED light strips can indeed reduce the risk of LED strip lights falling off. You can refer to the following steps to install your LED strips.
Remove Surface Dust
Keeping the surface clean is the most critical first step to ensure a strong bond. You need to remove all dust, oil, and debris. You can gently wipe the surface with soapy water or a residue-free special cleaner.
Sanding the Surface
You can touch the surface of the installation lightly with your hand to make sure it is flat. Because the uneven surface will weaken the bonding effect of the LED light strip. If there are really rough places, use fine sandpaper to polish to prevent damage to the surface.
Tear off the 3M adhesive on the back of the LED strip
First, deal with the protective paper covering the tape. Hold the light strip firmly with one hand to ensure that it is fixed in place. Use the other hand to slowly and evenly tear the protective paper off the tape, paying attention to the uniform movement to avoid damaging the light strip.
Properly position the light strip
Use a level or ruler to ensure that the light strip is straight, especially at longer installation distances, so as not to tilt. You can make minor adjustments before the adhesive is fully cured, but try to avoid repeatedly moving the light strip to avoid weakening the bond.
Press and wait for curing
Pressing the light strip and allowing it to fully dry is the key to ensuring a strong bond. Apply moderate pressure evenly along the entire length of the LED light strip to ensure full contact with the surface and enhance adhesion.
3 Tips to Prevent LED Strip Lights from Falling Off
We have explained some common reasons and preventions for how to effectively prevent LED strips lights from falling off. Now we have three more useful tips for installing LED strips.
Using hot melt adhesive
Hot melt adhesive is an often overlooked but very effective tool, especially for quickly fixing LED light strips. It is very suitable for short-term use, but not for long-term use.
Don’t ignore overheating
Although LED light strips are energy-saving, they still generate a certain amount of heat. LED light strips need to be installed in a ventilated area. In addition, effective temperature control measures can avoid problems such as adhesive failure caused by overheating.
Install with aluminum profiles
LED light strips are fixed with aluminum profiles, which not only have a smooth appearance, but also enhance the stability of the supporting structure. LED light strips are best used with LED profiles. It can firmly install LED light strips and effectively diffuse light to create a soft lighting effect.
Summary
To ensure your LED strip lights are securely mounted and don’t falling off, you need to choose the right adhesive, prepare the surface, and preferably go with the LED profile, and reinforce the mount. By following these guidelines, you can prevent your LED strip lights from falling off and enjoy great lighting for years to come.