How to Get The Most Comfort and Performance From Your Waterbed.
Water level , How Much ?
The performance and comfort of a waterbed, revolves around the water level, Having too much is the worst. Once You have filled Your bed and if two people sleep on it, you can do a test where you both lay down on it and then one gets off. The one still on the bed is now sampling what the bed would feel like with less water. When there is too much water, The lightest one will feel like they are up on a hill.
Do this test for each other and if it is decided that it would be better with less water, Siphon with about a 2-meter length of clear hose into a bucket. And do 2 buckets at a time, This is fine-tuning and the best way to ensure that the water level is right. To add water, Siphon from the bucket to the bed.
Air In The Waterbed Affect's its Comfort ?
The Air in the waterbed affects its comfort in 3 ways, First: Air takes up the same amount of space as would having extra water in the mattress. Causing Over Pressurization. Secondly: Because air can move about so much faster than water. The bed will feel like it needs water added as its support is compromised by the air. It is surprising how much firmer a waterbed feels after letting the air out.Third: As the air moves about it allows the water to slosh about causing noise or a splashing sound. Air in the mattress also causes the mattress to age faster.
What Is The Easiest Way To let The Air Out ?
I find the easiest way is to break it down into two steps, Pull up the cap, take it off and remove the bung and then screw the cap back on. Then starting at the corner furthest from the fill cap, Using both palms make a gentle pushing up an down motion in this area to move the air away. Then climb on the bed with your knees resting in the area you were pushing up an down on. this stops the air returning back then repeat the pushing up an down motion with your palms across the rest of the width of the bed. Now all the air from the top third of the mattress has been moved down to the bottom 2 thirds of the bed.
Next I use one palm to make the pushing up and down motion in the area beside my knees and when the air has been moved away, I move my knee's down to this area, Then I use one hand to work across the bed till all the air has moved away, I then move my other hand to this area . Now all the air is trapped in the lower third of the mattress.
Now You can reach over and remove the cap and let the air out, Once the air has vented screw the cap back on and work your way closer to the fill cap further reducing the area that the air has to be in and remove the cap again , The last few pockets of air can now be chased out using the palm of your hand. Replace the bung and screw cap and the job is done.
If you missed some air, Just repeat the process. Each time you do it, It will become easier to remove all the air in one go.
Water Conditioning
It is very important to the life of the water mattress that conditioner is used, Waterbed Conditioner Prevents fungal and bacterial growth's which cause gases, odors and premature aging of the bladder.
Repairing a Leak , The way I Apply Patches.
Once the hole has been found, I elevate the area where the hole is to ensure no water can come out during the repair, using a bunch of towels or similar. I try to have around 25mm of patch material overhang all around the hole if possible. Sometimes on seams or near corners its not possible, Get as much patch overhang as possible, Eg a 1mm hole gets a 50mm diameter patch.
Clean both around the area to be patched and the patch material as well, with acetone or something acetone based, most nail polish removers are acetone based, Acetone also acts as a etcher as well and makes for better adhesion. Then apply an even coat of the adhesive to both surfaces, To prevent the adhesive curling the patch I dab a small amount of adhesive in two or three spots on the back of the patch and then stick it to the mattress near where I am working. I allow the adhesive a little time to to start to go off, eg The surface of the adhesive can be gently touched and it won't stick to Your finger, though it still may feel a little soft. Depending on conditions this takes 1-3 minutes and in the right light, the surface of the adhesive goes from a gloss to a matt look.
Then place the patch where it has to go and press down on it, to ensure that there are no air bubbles under it, Then after 3 minutes I run a bead of adhesive around the edge of the patch. Once that has dried I spray a small amount of talcum powder over the area. This will prevent the adhesive sticking to the safety liner.
I Love My Waterbed, Its The Best, I Make Sure Yours is Too!
