How to Assemble a Hardside Waterbed

If you're looking to switch from a regular foam or spring mattress to a water bed, you must be prepared to properly assemble the frame and fill the mattress. Failure to properly secure the frame, decking and riser can lead to a mattress that is not level and eventually cause extensive water damage. You do not need to reinforce your floor to accommodate a water bed; the weight distribution is similar to that of a regular bed.

Phillips screwdriver
Garden hose
Water bed fill kit
Water bed conditioner
Towel

Instructions

- 1
  Attach corner brackets to the four interior corners of the main bed frame. Secure each bracket with Phillips screws and a screwdriver. Rest the frame on the floor in the exact location where the bed will eventually stand.
- 2
  Attach corner brackets to the four interior corners of the particle board riser frame. Secure each bracket with Phillips screws and a screwdriver. Arrange the riser frame so it sits directly in the center of the main frame.
- 3
  Lift the main frame off the floor and rest it somewhere out of the way. Connect the notched sections of the riser supports and place each X-shaped support in the center of the riser frame.
- 4
  Center the plywood decking on top of the riser frame with the diagonally cut edges positioned at the corners at the head of the bed. Lift the main frame onto the top of the decking. The frame should fit perfectly on top of the decking and will be held in place by the notches on each frame board. Screw corner brackets into the interior corners created by the frame and the decking boards.
- 5
  Place the heating pad in the center of the decking. Run the cord through the notch in the upper corner between the decking and the frame. Spread the mattress liner over the heating pad and smooth it to remove any wrinkles. Push the corners of the liner into the frame corners.
- 6
  Lay the mattress on top of the pad with the fill valve facing up at the foot of the bed. Run a hose from an outdoor faucet and connect it to the mattress fill valve. If you obtained a fill kit, connect the hose to an indoor faucet using the faucet adapter. Fill the bed with 2 inches of water, pull the edges toward the corners of the frame and smooth out any wrinkles on the bottom of the mattress.
- 7
  Fill the bed to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch below the top of the main frame boards. Remove the hose and pour water bed conditioner into the fill valve. Burp the bed to remove any air bubbles that have formed during the fill. Run a mop or broom handle across the surface of the mattress and force the air out through the fill valve. Replace the valve cap and wipe any excess water from the surface of the mattress.
- 8
  Turn on the heater and make the bed. Add more conditioner to the bed every six months and burp the mattress as needed.

What Do You Need for a Waterbed?

What Is the Intended Purpose of a Mattress?

Beds