Is There Anything You Can Put on a Waterbed Mattress to Keep It From Busting Due to Animals?

Mattress Pad or Cover

• Water bed mattress pads and covers are available for your protection and, when combined with well-fitted sheets and blankets, you can nearly eliminate perforations due to pet claws. Water bed mattress covers must be installed during the filling process. Once you have laid out the bed liner, unzip the cover and spread it over the frame. Lay out the mattress, and smooth any wrinkles along the bottom of both the mattress and the cover. Fill the bed with 2 inches of water, and adjust one last time before continuing to fill the bed. Mattress covers need only be laid across the top of the mattress and tucked into the edges.

Water bed Sheets

• Water bed sheets are larger than regular sheets to accommodate the depth of the mattress. They often have straps or extra fabric sewn into the fitted pockets designed to stay put when the mattress shifts. Water bed sheets will add a layer of protection between the mattress and the frame. Keep the sheets tucked in at all times and adjust them each time you make the bed.

Linens

• Keep your bed made while you're not sleeping. Tuck the edges of the sheets and comforter into the space between the mattress and frame. Water bed comforters are typically longer than regular ones because they are designed to tuck beneath the bottom edge of the mattress. The sides, however, are typically shorter and not designed to drape over the edge of the frame.

Patching Leaks

• Always use a water bed mattress repair kit to patch punctures. The glue and patches included in the kit are the only materials that are safe for your mattress. If a hole is improperly patched, it can become larger, continue to leak and cause extensive water damage to the bed and the floor. If a leak occurs along a seam, your manufacturer's warranty should cover the damage. Otherwise, the mattress will need to be replaced since seams cannot be patched.