How to Repair a Waterbed Leak

Water beds are among the most popular of beds for someone looking to sleep well. But invariably they will spring a leak. By the end of this article the leak will be a minor issue instead of a major emergency.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Towels
• An old Bicycle inner tube
• Scissors
• Waterproof Rubber Cement

1. Drain the waterbed.
   
   Drain the water from the mattress. Normally this is simply attaching a garden hose to the water valve and allowing it to drain into the bathtub. You don't need to drain it fully. Just remove enough water so that you can flip the mattress if needed.

2. Locate the leak.
   
   Remove the bedding and look for where the leak is. You may have to move the mattress by picking up the corners and flipping it.

3. Repair the leak.
   
   If your leak is a pinhole, dry it off and apply a coat of waterproof rubber cement over the pinhole. Wait thirty to forty-five minutes and apply a second coat. Let it fully dry.
   
   If your leak is larger than a pinhole, you will need to make a patch. Using the scissors, cut a patch that will cover the hole with plenty of overlap. Coat the mattress and the patch with the waterproof rubber cement. Place the patch on the hole and then apply another light coat of waterproof rubber cement covering the patch and extending to the mattress.
   
   Allow all patches to fully dry.

4. Refill the mattress.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear rubber gloves and ensure your room is well ventilated to avoid potential issues with fumes.
• If your leak is on a seam, this method may not work.

[mattsaboy]

on 8/22/2009 Great tips I still have a waterbed. Last 1 on earth maybe LOL. 5 stars

[billips]

on 8/21/2009 I'm always in favor of the easiest possible solution - yours sounds easy so it will be mine - 5* - B.

[pegwinn]

on 7/23/2009 Far be it from me to contradict a Guru with that many years of experience. Your method sounds like it will work. My method worked fine and held up for four years until I decided to move up to a select comfort bed.

[WaterbedGuru]

on 7/23/2009 I'd just like to offer a little extra help based on over 30 years of waterbed experience. If the mattress isn't completely empty of water, nobody is going to be able to "flip it" but it's not normally necessary to flip anyway. Lay dry towels or newspaper around the edges and underneath, then look for the wet spot.
Use a waterbed or swimming pool vinyl patch kit since that's what the mattress is made of; not rubber. Use circle patches so there are no corners to lift up. If you need a patch kit or more advice go to www.AwesomeWaterbeds.com