Waterbed Fill Instructions

Before Filling

• Before you start filling your waterbed it's a good opportunity to check all of the other components of your bed to make sure they are all in working order.

  Inspect your vinyl safety liner to make sure there are no cracks, rips or tears. Make sure your waterbed heater is in the right place and still works properly and the wires are in good condition. Inspect the wooden frame to make sure the wood is holding up under the weight of your mattress. Also make sure your waterbed heater is unplugged from its power source. Leaving a waterbed heater plugged in while the mattress isn't completely full can cause the heater to burn a hole in the mattress.

Equipment You'll Need

• The key pieces to filling a waterbed are a hose and a waterbed fill kit, which includes the two adapters--the faucet connector and hose connector--that you will need to fill your waterbed mattress. The only other thing you'll need is a towel or two to wipe up any stray water.

Filling Your Waterbed

• Start by connecting the faucet connector from the waterbed fill kit to the closest faucet that doesn't have an aerator--the small piece that attaches to a faucet to control the water stream that comes out of the faucet. Once the faucet connector is attached to the faucet, connect your hose to it. Next, connect the other end of the hose to the hose connector--the long, plastic nozzle that comes with the waterbed fill kit.

  Once you've connected your hose to all of the connectors it's time to start filling your mattress.

  Start by placing your waterbed mattress in your frame, making sure it is lined up properly. Remove the cap and plug insert from the mattress and pull out the fill valve, which is located below them.

  Insert the hose connector into the fill valve and turn your faucet on. Fill your mattress with lukewarm water until it is about ½ to ¼ inch below the top of your waterbed frame, or until the mattress is at your desired level of softness or firmness. Make sure to not overfill your mattress, because it's easier to add more water than it is to remove it.

  Once the mattress is filled, remove the hose from the mattress, replace the plug and cap into the mattress and push the valve back into the mattress. Plug your waterbed heater into its power supply and turn the power on.