What are the advantages of a waterbed?
What are the different styles of waterbeds?
Are there different types of mattresses?
Can I alter the stability / motion of the mattress?
Can I change the firmness of the mattress?
Are waterbeds good for my back?
Don't I need a firm bed?
Will I feel seasick on a waterbed?
Will it fall through the floor?
Do waterbeds burst?
Will the bed leak?
How easy is it to puncture the bed?
How would I repair a puncture?
Will the waterbed sag?
How long do waterbeds last?
Can I put a waterbed in my existing bed frame?
What type of bedding fits a waterbed?
What sizes of waterbeds are available?
Are they easy to move?
What type of water is used?
How often do you have to change the water?
What is conditioner?
Can I clean the mattress?
Will I perspire on a vinyl mattress?
How do the waterbed heaters work and are they safe?
Do I unplug the heater in the summer?
What happens in a power outage?
What guarantee is offered?
What are the advantages of a waterbed?
Waterbeds offer five important benefits - total body and back support, minimal surface pressure for greater comfort, a genuinely hygienic surface, a controllable sleeping temperature and remarkable durability. These qualities are essential for a superior sleeping environment.
What are the different styles of waterbeds?
There are basically two styles - hardsided beds and the more modern soft-sided beds.
The hardsided beds were the original waterbeds. The frame acts as the main support for the vinyl mattress and becomes part of the bedroom furniture. The frame is often made from natural wood (such as pine, oak or cedar), or painted MDF (medium density fiberboard) or upholstered boards. The frame usually rests on a deck and platform which supports the whole bed.
The soft-sided beds were developed to fit within existing bedroom furniture. They look very similar to conventional beds and as their name suggests they have a cushioned surround that allows you to sit comfortably on the edge of the bed.
Are there different types of mattresses?
Yes. They can have different depths and variable degrees of stability. There are approximately six variations of stability, from free flow, with lots of movement, through to super waveless with almost no motion.
Can I alter the stability / motion of the mattress?
No. This is decided at the point of purchase. The most popular models tend to be the 75% and 95% motion reduced mattresses.
Can I change the firmness of the mattress by adding or removing water?
Not by design, but firmness is not nearly as important as support. The quality of a bed, any bed, should be based on support as it is more crucial to our comfort and well being. And because our bodies are nearly 80% water, a waterbed supports us very efficiently.
Are waterbeds good for my back?
A waterbed provides the best support your back can get. When you lie on a flotation mattress the water displaces to contour to your shape. The bed does not sag or distort (even a decade later it remains the same). Whether you are heavy or light, it automatically and immediately adjusts to provide total body support. These features combined with the low surface pressure and precise temperature control provide a superior back support system.
Don't I need a firm bed?
The worst bed to sleep on is a soft, shapeless mattress providing little or no support. In the past, a firm bed was the only alternative to this. But this firmness increases the few points of hard contact between you and mattress. These 'pressure points' often restrict your blood circulation and induce more tossing and turning. By contrast, a waterbed provides a therapeutic sleeping surface combining the essential qualities of support and comfort.
Will I feel seasick on a waterbed?
Not at all. Unless you move, a waterbed will not move. Any motion you give to the mattress tends to be gentle and soothing and ceases as soon as you stop moving. If you select a very stable mattress there will be minimal movement at any time - even if your partner moves. Remember, the pressure reduced support of a waterbed also minimizes the need to toss and turn while you are sleeping.
Will it fall through the floor?
We do not know of any instance of a waterbed falling through a floor. The weight of a waterbed is well distributed and the pressure on the floor is less than that of a person in a bath or of a free standing refrigerator.
Because a waterbed rests on a purpose built platform, the floor loading is not only well below the basic requirements of building regulation, it is often less than 10% of the contact pressure of a conventional bed on legs or casters. Millions of waterbeds sold throughout the world have failed to penetrate a ceiling and the majority of those sales have involved the heavier rigid-sided systems.
Do waterbeds burst?
A waterbed is a pressureless system. If you sit on the mattress and open the filter cap - no water will come out. A waterbed is not like an air mattress which is under pressure. Even in the unlikely event that the mattress is punctured, the water would only be absorbed into the surrounding bedding and safety liner.
Will the bed leak?
Chances are very remote, particularly if you have selected a brand name quality bed. The technology producing today's waterbeds is sophisticated. The seam welds are very strong. All mattresses are surrounded by a safety liner so that any spillage will automatically be held by this liner and will not fall on the floor. If a repair is required it only takes a few minutes to apply.
How easy is it to puncture the bed?
Any really sharp object can be used to puncture the water mattress, but it is not as easy as you might expect. Unless you willfully set out to damage your waterbed, you are not likely to puncture it.
How would I repair a puncture?
For all but the most severe punctures, the easy answer is to use an appropriate repair kit. It takes only a few minutes to apply and they are available on our website or calling or visiting our store. Once in place, it will restore the mattress to its full lifetime's use with no detrimental effect. (In most cases a simple repair can be completed without having to empty the bed.)
Will the waterbed sag?
No. A water mattress is a very forgiving surface even if you jump on it. Most manufacturers recommend that you use your waterbed as much as you would any other bed, secure in the knowledge that (unlike conventional springs) it will not sag or distort. Even a decade later, your waterbed remains as comfortable and supportive as the first night you slept on it.
How long do waterbeds last?
Some of the first vinyl mattresses are still in daily use. However, most manufacturers say ten to fifteen years is an average use expectancy and that the maximum life will depend upon how you care for your bed.
Can I put a waterbed in my existing bed frame?
If you have a bed frame that will fit a conventional mattress then it will fit a softsided waterbed, but not a hardside. It is quite normal to set them up within brass frames, four posters, sleigh beds, etc. There are very few situations where a waterbed cannot fit within a standard or custom bed frame although extra support will be needed.
What type of bedding fits a waterbed?
Normal bedding will fit most soft-sided beds while corner flap bedding is recommended for the generally larger sized rigid-frame beds. In all cases, use a mattress protector as you would on a conventional bed.
What sizes of waterbeds are available?
Softsides are availabble in all standard bed sizes, and in hardside beds, the king size is 6' x 7' long, the queen size is 5' X 7' long, and supersize is 4' X 7'. Every manufacturer and retailer of beds will recommend that, for comfort, you select the largest bed that will fit into your room - that is equally true of waterbeds where the larger models cost only slightly more than the regular sizes.
Are they easy to move?
Yes. In fact, once drained, the components of a waterbed are far easier to move than most conventional beds and even long sized can be carried into rooms that have limited access, narrow staircases, etc. Moving your bed only requires extra time to allow for siphoning or filling. Again follow the manufacturer's instructions.
What type of water is used?
Normal tap water.
How often do you have to change the water?
Only when you move the bed. The water is stabilized in the mattress by a conditioner fluid to prevent the growth of algae or bacteria. With regular care the same mattress of water will go on supporting you for years.
What is conditioner?
It is an algaecide / biocide. The conditioner stabilizes the quality of the water so there is no risk of algae or bacteria growth inside the mattress. Most manufacturers recommend you add a 4oz bottle of conditioner every six months. It also helps maintain the level of plasticiser in the vinyl which enhances the suppleness of your vinyl mattress.
Can I clean the mattress?
Yes. Waterbeds are very hygienic. Unlike a conventional bed, waterbeds will not accumulate dust or skin particles inside the mattress.
It is a good idea to protect the vinyl mattress with a regular cleaning. Most manufacturers offer a vinyl cleaner which helps to maintain the high quality of the mattress.
(Note: do not use strong detergents which may harm the vinyl.)
Best of all, the platform of a waterbed makes continuous contact with the floor so you will never need to vacuum under the bed again.
Will I perspire on a vinyl mattress?
No, you should not. You should never sleep against the actual vinyl mattress. Soft-sided beds have their own quilted (or similar) top cover and you should always use a quilted mattress protector with a rigid-frame bed.
Keep the temperature on your waterbed set at your skin temperature. The normal comfort level is approximately 28 - 30 degrees C. This constant temperature helps you to get a better nights rest, something which is difficult if you are too hot or cold in bed.
How do the waterbed heaters work and are they safe?
The waterbed heater system uses a low wattage pad that is placed on the decking underneath the mattress and liner. A variable thermostat, controlling the on / off mode of the pad, constantly maintains the water temperature at your preselected setting.
Yes. They are safe. They are double insulated and designed specifically to warm your waterbed. As with all electrical appliances, they must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Do I unplug the heater in the summer?
No. Even in a hot summer your average bedroom temperature will be below your normal skin temperature. Simply leave the heater plugged in - the difference will be that in the summer it will be on less than in the winter.
What happens in a power outage?
With the power disconnected a waterbed will gradually begin to cool. Because the bed is usually well insulated by bedding, etc. it will be quite some time before you begin to notice the change. Since you will rarely experience a power outage of more than a few hours the chances of it becoming a problem are remote.
What guarantee is offered?
It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, although the average is about five years. The guarantee usually warrants that the product you are buying is free from manufacturing defects and faulty materials, and its satisfactory for the purpose for which it was intended. Please contact us for specific warranty information.
Texarkana Furniture Mart
321 Texas Blvd. Texarkana, TX 75501
Toll Free: 1-888-993-2191
Voice: (903) 793-2191 Fax: (903) 793-1845
Email:
sales@waterbedsusa.com
