Waterbed Repair Kit And Vinyl Glue
A Waterbed repair kit is an essential waterbed accessories. Ideally every owner of a water bed should have a vinyl repair kit as you just don’t know when your going to spring a leak! Most waterbed mattresses come with a waterbed patch kit. But if you don’t have one or have run out of patches it is quite easy to get a repair kit for your waterbed on the internet.
Many waterbed stores offer their own brand of repair kit or you could consider a mainstream brand such as the Blue Magic Waterbed Repair Kit. In both cases a kit will only set you back a few dollars.
If you get a leak in your waterbed don’t think you can just patch up the bladder with a bicycle repair kit, these are generally not waterproof. Waterbeds are made from vinyl and rather than rubber, they require a vinyl repair kit with special glue. In truth fixing a hole in a waterbed is not unlike fixing a hole in a bicycle inner tube. Waterbed repair kits tend to come with a tube of vinyl adhesive glue and a set of vinyl patches (sizes may vary) and usually include clear instructions so you can’t go wrong.
Don’t drain your waterbed if you find a leak, repair the bladder with the water in place. Spread the vinyl waterbed glue and apply the patch. Try to carry out repairs early in the day to let the patch settle and set. If you have a waterbed pump keep it to hand in case the situation worsens and you have to drain the bed quickly and safely (in most cases you won’t have to).
There are times when a waterbed repair kit just won’t be good enough or do a decent job for you. If you get a leak on a seam or a corner then chances are the bladder is irrepairable, and you should consider buying a new bladder. Likewise if the leaking hole is bigger than ΒΌ inch then the chances are the bladder is a goner. The patch you fix will just flex to much on a hole that size and probably continue to leak.
Vinyl, like me, just doesn’t age well! If the vinyl on your waterbed is discoloured/faded, stiff and unpliable then the chances are any repair you do will just be a temporary fix. Unlike normal mattresses waterbeds bladders generally last between 5-8 years, if your bladder is beyond that age and holed consider renewing it rather than using a waterbed repair kit.