Expert: Mark H. Miller - 11/6/2010

Question
I have an old (antique?) settee that I want to reupholster. How do I know if the
springs are reusable or if they need to be replaced?

Answer
Hello Deidre,

You check first by pushing down on the seat with both hands,  if you can push the seat down more than 2/3 rd. to the webbing then the springs should definitely be replaced.   Another way is to sit-down on the seat,  if the springs go down more than a few inches under the weight of a person who weighs less then 180 pounds the springs should be replaced.  A seat is in good shape if you sit on it and the springs allow you to bounce up and down a little,  they should not flatten completely under the weight of a person.  If your settee is more than 50 years old and still has the original seat springs, in my opinion, those springs should be replaced.  

I hope this helps.

Mark Miller.