Questions about waterbeds

The waterbed is arguably the most natural body supporting bed available. The waterbed satisfies all of the requirements of a good orthopedic bed and it does everything that a top of the range pocket spring, memory foam, or composite bed would do. Even so, many people have reservations about waterbeds, so here are some of the more commonly asked questions about them – with the answers of course.

The first question always asked about a waterbed is will it move, have waves or give a feeling of motion sickness or sea sickness?

The answer is that with modern waterbeds you can choose the level of stability (i.e. lack of water movement) that you want. That means that if you want a waterbed with no movement you can have one, but equally if you like the idea of some motion you can choose to buy a more free-flowing waterbed

Do waterbeds puncture and burst out water?

Firstly, waterbeds are very difficult to puncture and it requires a significant effort to break through the mattress, known as a bladder. Even so, in extreme cases it is possible for a mattress to get a puncture or tear and when this is the case the natural concern is for water damage. However, modern waterbeds do not use a pressure system to hold the water in the mattress (like a balloon). Instead the mattress is a stable structure that retains its shape even if it is empty, this means that, if the mattress were to puncture on its top surface water would not leak out and if it were punctured to the side or base, the water loss would be a slow one. There is also a vinyl safety collector which would stop any escaped water from leaving the bed and causing damage.

Do waterbeds leak?

A waterbed should not leak, the water encompassing mattress is watertight and strong and this means that leaking should not be an issue.

If there is a leak what happens to the water?

Any good water bed should have vinyl liner that is there in the event of a leak. This liner prevents any leakage from exiting the bed frame and damaging your home.

Can a waterbed be repaired if it is damaged or has a leak?

Yes, although the likelihood of either of these events is remote, waterbeds are supplied with a simple repair kit (similar to a bicycle puncture kit) and any repair that is made is permanent.

is my floor strong enough to support a waterbed?

Modern waterbeds normally have a maximum depth of about 9 inches (225mm) of water. Within this volume there are structural components (baffles) that take up space and thereby reduce the weight. The result is that a waterbed will not generally weigh that much more than a bath full of water and a bather. Any well built house complying with national building regulations should have a floor that is more than capable of taking this weight.

How long will a waterbed last?

Most manufacturers place significant warranties on their waterbeds. These warranties will usually be a minimum of five years, but often ten years, and this makes them the best warranties in the bedding industry. Realistically it is not unreasonable to expect a waterbed to last for fifteen years or more. This makes it more than comparable with the best orthopedic pocket spring and visco elastic memory foam beds.

What is the mattress part (i.e. the bladder) made of?

The structural mattress that holds the water is made of a shaped vinyl that is strong, waterproof and resistant to punctures and abrasions. A removable cover is then fitted over this vinyl mattress cover. This secondary cover is for aesthetics and it is washable.

Are they hygienic?

Waterbeds are probably the most hygienic of all beds. The outer mattress cover is normally detachable and washable and the inner (structural bladder) casing is water tight and hypoallergenic. The result is that they are easy to maintain and they do not harbour germs.

What do doctors, osteopaths and those in the medical profession think about waterbeds?

Waterbeds have long been held in high regard by the medical profession and they are often suggested or recommended. Some hospitals do have waterbeds for patients where avoiding pressure support is part of their treatment.

Do the sides of a water ed have to be hard to support the water?

No, designs and technologies mean that soft sided water mattress edges are now the norm.

Other pages covering waterbeds are Waterbeds and Waterbed - how do they work.