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| Waterbed Maintenance |
| Here are some tips that will keep you afloat. |
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Waterbeds were popular in the '70s, but they never really went away. Today, apart from domestic home use, they are also used in convalescent homes for the elderly where pressure point problems have to be avoided, for example. Great for bad backs, they also eliminate dust mite problems that might otherwise occur in mattresses.
Brett Liversage has been making and refurbishing waterbeds for 12 years. His clients include major companies such as Sleep City, Capt'n Snooze, Forty Winks, Sleeping Giant, and other retail outlets. The design process has evolved greatly since the '70s, with added strength and safety features built in.
Refurbishing a Waterbed
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Brett carries out all his work on site unless the bed's framework needs repairing, in which case it is removed and fixed in his workshop.
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The bed's bladder is first checked for signs of deterioration. He also looks at the fibre inside to see whether it's still floating (a fibre layer sits on top of the water, with flotation bars in between). If the fibre is still afloat the bed will tend to be "waveless". A recommendation is then given whether to replace the fibre or not.
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Next, the bladder is pumped empty of water and the safety liner checked for any holes. The heater assembly is also checked for lumps or scorch marks.
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The brackets and screws in the bed's framework are checked and new parts ordered. When the bed is completely refurbished, the bladder is re-filled.
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Electric blankets can't be used with waterbeds. The water is warmed by a heater, which lies under the mattress.
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To maintain the quality of the bladder, a conditioner is squirted in every six months. This prevents algae growth in the water. The bladder can be cleaned with warm soapy water and excess trapped air, which can lead to "gurgling" sounds coming from the mattress, should be expelled.
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The bed must be in the correct position in the room because once the mattress is full it is too heavy to move.
Most waterbed owners swear by them and wouldn't be caught sleeping on anything else.
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Cost
Brett charges between $200 to $400 for maintenance, depending on the size of the bed and how "waveless" the customer wants it.
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More Info
Contact Brett at:
BWL Waterbeds,
14 Griffin Pde,
Illawong NSW 2234.
Ph / Fax: (02) 9532 0150 Mobile: 0411 759 389.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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