Considering A Used Waterbed?
You may be in the market for a bed and have been intrigued by the idea of a waterbed. Waterbeds do have some positives going for them that can be enticing, but then you shouldn’t rush in without understanding all aspects. With this in mind you might have considered buying a used waterbed just to trial. Here we will give you some insight into what to expect and what you need to look out for and be aware of.
Waterbeds remain a popular choice widely available on the net and at leading internet stores such as Amazon in new and used formats. Some of this popularity is because sleeping on them can give great quality sleep with full body support, for some people they improve general health especially people who may be confined to bed they can help relieve bed sores as well as provide general comfort and for others they can be very user friendly in hot climates or cold climates as the mattress can be cooled or heated thermostatically for comfort. With these benefits you may have considered a waterbed. You will find that new beds aren’t overly expensive and used beds can be cheap but before you head out for a used bed be aware of potential problems.
The first issue to be aware of with a used waterbed is the age of the bed. The waterbed mattress bladder is usually constructed from vinyl which is generally tough and lasts for up to ten years. As vinyl ages it can become brittle and crack. If the vinyl has been exposed to body oils this process of degradation speeds up. Cracks, can eventually begin to weep and unless caught early and repaired with a waterbed patch repair kit can signal the end of the beds useful life. Likewise bladders that are cracked near seams are generally irreparable, or beds that have been repaired on seams are generally on their last legs. So if you are considering buying a used waterbed do it in person and check for the stiffness and cracking on the vinyl. If the bed is free of these symptoms move to the next step.
The next step is to get an idea of the general condition of the interior of the mattress bladder. Even quality tap water carries microbes that when trapped in a warm environment will flourish and may damaged the interior of the bed. You can check the bed by smelling the interior of the compartment through the faucet. If you can see black mold or feel a build up of mold the bed should be disregarded. If you can only smell a little mold this tells you the mattress hasn’t been conditioned often enough but is not a major problem. You can often rectify this problem by rinsing out the bladder and conditioning the mattress.
If you find the mattress to be clear of cracking, showing relatively few, if any patch repairs and smells, feels and looks clear of interior mold the bed can be considered a worthwhile purchase to be added to your bedroom.