A common concern among Govee users is whether these lights can cause damage to walls during installation or removal. If you are also thinking and worried about this matter, we highly recommend this article because we intend to reveal the correct answer as well as what precautions you should implement in order to keep your walls safe with Govee lights.
Do Govee Lights Damage Walls?
Govee lights can potentially damage walls depending on the adhesive used, surface type and condition, duration of application, and environmental factors like humidity and temperature. Here is an in-depth analysis of these factors.
Type of Adhesive used
Usually Govee lights come with pre-applied adhesive which is strong enough to create a bond with surfaces and this standard adhesive hardly cause a damage to the surfaces. However, this adhesive too can be too strong and it may pull off the paint especially when you remove to in order to place them in another place.
In certain situations you may use other adhesives such as 3M double-sided tapes when the original adhesive is not strong enough. This type of of adhesive has the potential to cause damage on your wall as they are not designed for easy removal in particular.
So, if you are installing Govee lights for a temporary purpose on vulnerable walls, you must use an adhesive or other tactic that is less prone to damage your valuable walls.
Condition of the Surface
Walls that are smooth and non-porous, such as those painted with semi-gloss or satin finishes, generally provide the best surface for Govee lights. These surfaces allow a strong bond and most importantly they minimize the risk of damaging.
Similarly, textured or porous walls are vulnerable to the adhesive of Govee lights as they don’t facilitate the necessary bonding ability. This can effectively lead the paint from such walls to peel off. In addition, when you install Govee lights, it is crucial to clean the wall and stay away from already peeled-off walls and cracks as it can cause additional damage to such surfaces.
Duration of the Application
If you are installing Govee lights for a short period, such as for a party or a special occasion, the chance it has to damage the wall is minimal. The adhesive will not have as much time to bond strongly with the surface.
The longer the Govee lights remain on the walls the longer they have time to create a strong bond. When removing lights that were on a wall for a considerable period of time poses more risks of wall damage.
Environmental factors
High humidity levels can weaken the adhesive bond over time, causing the lights to fall off and potentially take some paint with them. Oppositely, low humidity can lead to adhesives to become more brittle making the removal process difficult. When the removing process of Govee lights is difficult, you are always dealing with the risk of wall damage.
Related: Govee Lights Not Sticking? [Causes & Fixes]
How can we prevent Govee Lights from Damaging Walls?
Yes, there are certain preventive methods you should follow in order to minimize the risk of Govee lights damaging your walls. Let us explain them for you.
Choose the Right Adhesive
Use adhesive strips designed for easy removal, such as 3M Command strips, to minimize the risk of damage. Before the full installation of Govee lights, we recommend testing the adhesive on a small, inconspicuous area of the wall to ensure it is removed cleanly.
Preparation of the Wall
It will help if you clean the wall using isopropyl alcohol to remove dust, and residues. Before the installation make sure the wall is completely dry and free of dust.
Proper Installation
Apply the LED strips firmly and evenly to ensure a strong bond without trapping air bubbles. You should apply a gentle pressure for at least 20 seconds to create a strong bond. As we explained earlier, you must avoid applying Govee lights on textured walls as they are vulnerable to get damaged.
Limit the Time on wall
Also, this might not go well with you; if possible, try to limit the time that Govee lights would stay on your wall. If you are decorating your premises for a special occasion, it is your duty to safely remove the lights right after the event ends.
Related: Why Are My Govee Lights Flickering?
How to Peel Govee Lights Safely from Walls?
In order to safely remove Govee LED light strip from the wall, you need to gather some tools such as a hairdryer and a plastic scraper with you.
Before removing you should try to soften up the adhesive a wee bit to make the removal process easy and to minimize the threat that it would cause on the walls.
Set the hairdryer to a low or medium heat setting and heat the area where the adhesive of the lights is applied. This process should take no more than a few seconds. Move the hairdryer back and forth to evenly distribute the heat without overheating any specific spot.
Then, check the light strip has softened; you should feel it is less sticky and easily pliable.
Now, use the plastic scraper and start the removal process from a corner of the light strip. You can also use your fingernail for a risk-free peel. Keep the strip as close to the wall as possible to reduce tension on the adhesive.
If you find places peeling is difficult, stop and apply more heat with the hairdryer to soften the adhesive further as we explained early. If you notice more adhesive even after the removal, you can use isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber and wipe the surface to get rid of remaining adhesive.
Finally, inspect the wall for any minor damage or paint peeling. If needed, do the touch up work then and there with matching paint.
We hope our article has helped you. If you need more information regarding the topic we discussed, please feel free to leave us a comment in the comment section. We will respond to your query in no time. Have a great day!
Peter Willy is a dedicated smart home lighting enthusiast with a passion for exploring the latest innovations in the field. With years of hands-on experience, Peter buys new smart lighting products, rigorously tests them, and shares his insights through detailed troubleshooting guides and informative articles. His deep understanding of smart lighting technology and commitment to helping others make him a trusted source for anyone looking to enhance their home with the latest in smart lighting solutions
