There are various methods for holding up led strip lights but can you put tacks in led strip lights? In this article, we will delve into the details of the topic.
So, can you put tacks in led strip lights? You can use tacks to help set up your led strip lights before you use adhesives to install them on your surface.
Although it is possible to use tacks, it can break the surface of your LED strip light which can lead to water damage and could also cause a short circuit.
So it is clear there are some advantages and disadvantages to using tacks in led strip light. Continue reading to learn more.
The Pros Of Using Tacks In Led Strip Lights
1. May Be Good For Reinforcing The Led Strip Light
While it is not a good idea to use only tacks to hold up your led strip lights, it is a great way to reinforce the led strip lights against a wall.
Tacks are small and can be hidden from view if the led strip light is installed behind an object such as a table or cabinet or underneath a sofa.
In this case, you will be able to use takes to not only hold up the led strip light but also reinforce it.
2. May Be Easy For Soft Materials
Tacks are also good for soft materials such as wood. If you decide to use led strip lights under or behind furniture, tacks may be the way to go.
Tacks can also be used for holding up led strip lights on these surfaces because it is extremely easy to push them in when you want to mount them and equally easy to remove them when you are done.
They can be used in these cases without causing a lot of damage on the surface of the furniture.
3. Tacks Are A Budget Option
Tacks are also cheap and chances are, you already have a bunch of them in your toolbox.
In situations where you cannot afford or do not have time to go get something like double-sided tape, tacks are an excellent option that will not break the bank.
Simple pick them up and push them in to secure your led strip lights. This way, your led strip lights can be held up in a temporary fashion.
4. Great For Setting The Led Strip Lights Before Installation
When hanging more than one led strip light, setting them up beforehand can save you a lot of time and can also help make the installation a lot accurate and professional-looking.
Tacks are very easy to use and can be used to do this. You will simply need a tack gun and the tacks of course. After you’re satisfied with where your led lights are going to be installed whether overhead on your ceiling or down below on the floor, you can use a tack gun to secure the led strip lights in place.
This way, you will be able to get a better idea of how your new lighting is going to look like before fixing them permanently with adhesives.
5. Will Not Damage Your Surface
Tacks are very small and they do not pose a threat to your surface.
In situations where you are using led strip lights on woodwork or other surfaces, tacks will not damage them and can hold up your led strip lights just as well.
The Cons Of Using Tacks In Led Strip Lights
1. Can Break The Waterproofing
One of the main reasons why you should not use tacks in led strip lights is that they could break the waterproofing. A lot of led strip lights are made to be completely waterproof.
To achieve this, the manufacturers like LITOM make use of heat treatment and gluing processes. If you use tacks, these processes will be broken and the led strip light becomes susceptible to water damage.
If water does get in, it could damage the circuit board. In addition, if you have installed led strip lights in wet areas such as around your pool, bathroom, or kitchen it could cause a short circuit.
So all in all, if you use tacks to hold up your led strip lights, you are putting a hole in the waterproofing which can cause water, moisture, our humidity to leak into your light. This could also lead to problems such as corrosion.
2. Tacks Can Cause Short Circuit
Short circuit is also another problem that you could face when using tacks to hold up your led strip lights.
Takes are metals and if they come into contact with the circuit board, it could cause a short.
This can be potentially dangerous as you have no control over when the short circuit occurs.
In addition, if you have installed led strip lights around your pool, kitchen, or in wet areas such as a bathroom and the water leaks down to the circuit board, it could also cause a short.
These short circuits would mean replacing the led strip lights which can be very expensive.
3. A Short Circuit Could Cause Fires
As a build-up on the previous point, let me also mention that short circuits are also dangerous and can lead to fires in your home.
If your led strip lights are short-circuited, there is a direct current that flows through them from positive to negative which can led to your led strip lights heating up and starting a fire.
Usually, this will go undetected until it’s too late, but if the short circuit is not bad enough to cause a fire, it could still damage your equipment.
So all in all, avoid using tacks in your led strip lights if you don’t want to damage your led strip lights and put your whole property at risk of fire.
4. Tacks May Break Easily
Another reason why you should avoid using tacks for your led strip lights is that they may break easily. Using tacks is a temporary way to hold up your led strip lights.
Tacks are made of metal and it’s very easy for them to slide out of the position you place them in with time.
When you use tacks for holding up your led strip lights, there is no guarantee that they will stay in place.
So you run the risk of your led strip lights falling down which could be dangerous and cause injuries.
On top of this, they look unsightly which is not good if you want to achieve a professional-looking job when you install your led strip lights.
So it’s best to avoid tacks for holding up your led strip lights if you want a long-term solution that is safe and looks good too.
Final Thoughts
So in conclusion, avoid using tacks when you are holding up your led strip lights. You could face problems such as short circuits, water damage, corrosion, and fires if you use tacks.
There are other ways to hold up your led strip lights that won’t cause these problems.
In addition, it will also give you a longer-lasting and professional result for your led strip lights installation.
Although the advantages of using tacks to hold up led strip lights outweigh the downside, I still will strongly recommend you do not go with this option if you want to avoid damaging your led strip lights and putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
If you want a safe, long-term solution for holding your led strip lights up, then I suggest you try using a strong adhesive like using the 3M adhesive strips.
