Edit ArticleHow to Empty a Waterbed Two Methods:Draining by GravityDraining Using a Siphon PumpCommunity Q&A Waterbeds are very popular and, some claim, can be beneficial to your health, especially if you have back, muscle or joint problems. One drawback of owning a waterbed is having to either move it or replace the mattress because it is damaged. To do either of these things, you must drain the mattress. This takes some planning and several hours of your time, although most of the time is spent waiting for the mattress to drain. If you are prepared, draining a waterbed mattress should be a simple process. Unplug the mattress heater. Remove bedding to expose the mattress. Open the air valve; this should be at the "foot" of the mattress. Press on the mattress to burp out all the air (keep a towel nearby to catch any water). Recap the air valve to keep air out. Attach a hose connector (this should have come with your mattress; if not, you will need to purchase one) to your garden hose and connect the other end of the hose to an outside faucet.
Turn the outside faucet on and let the water run through the hose until all the air is out. Turn the faucet off, leave the hose connected, and put the connector end of hose through a window or door so that it can reach the mattress valve. Open the mattress valve again and insert the connector end of the hose into the valve. Turn the faucet on and let the water run for about 15 seconds into the mattress. Turn the faucet off, disconnect the hose at that end, and stretch the hose to the lowest reachable point in the yard. Drain mattress until it is flat. Follow the same set-up procedures as for gravity draining before beginning, such as unplugging the heater and removing bedding, but do not use an outside faucet. Run a garden hose from the nearest sink to the bed. Connect the siphon pump to the sink faucet and garden hose; fittings should be tight to prevent air from getting in but not tightened so much that you crack the plastic assembly. Connect the other end of the hose to the mattress fill valve as above.
Set the pump to the "fill" setting and turn the water on for 10 to 15 seconds to force air from the hose into the mattress. Turn the water off, switch the pump to "drain" mode, and turn the water back on. Continue running the siphon pump until your mattress is empty. You can speed up the draining process by moving parts of your mattress around, such as folding your mattress over from one end to the other. An alternative to running the garden hose out the window and to the ground is to put the end of the hose into a bathtub if reachable and lower than the mattress. You can maximize water flow by stretching the hose as much as possible. If you think that all the water has been drained but your mattress still feels heavy when you lift a corner, open the valve at the top end of your mattress and allow air to enter for about 30 seconds; Carefully lift the top 1/3 of your mattress and keep it raised for about 30 seconds. This should help drain the rest of the water.
If using a sink or tub, ensure that it is well-draining to avoid overflows as your mattress drains. Always disconnect any electrical connections to your bed to avoid the obvious shock and/or electrocution hazards when working with electricity and water.You might be surprised to know this, but on an average year, you spend around 2900 hours of your life on your mattress. This means that its usefulness is reduced by the minute. You might be wondering right now, “how many years does my mattress have left?” An old and beat up mattress is one of the causes of lower back pain. Understanding the life span of your mattress can save you from uncomfortable nights and medical bills. But since you are the one using the mattress, it is only you who can determine if it needs to be changed. For How Long Should I Use My Mattress? Choosing the right mattress varies from person to person. Everybody has their own preference. Ultimately it boils down to your level of comfort and the amount of support provided by the mattress.
But even if you have chosen the right one, you need to understand that over time your mattress would sag and lose its form. This will cause you some discomfort. Your spine won’t be properly aligned to give you a comfortable sleep. As a result, it could cause back problems that won’t easily go away. The problem is in determining the lifespan of your mattress. Different kinds of mattress vary in terms of lifespan. But in general, Better Sleep Council recommends that a mattress should be replaced every 5-7 years. The ironic thing is that most owners replace their mattresses every 10 years. According to Consumer Reports, on average, a mattress should be of use for 8 years. A well kept one, on the other hand, can last up to 10 years. But they claim that the moment a mattress should be replaced is when it becomes uncomfortable when you lay on it. A study conducted by Oklahoma State University concluded that sleeping on a new mattress after using their old ones after an average of 9.5 years caused a significant improvement in their sleep.
It also gave them fewer back pain and stress from using the new mattresses. There is also a survey conducted that determined the average lifespan of mattresses in a more specific level. The results are as follows: This will give you an idea of when you should replace your mattress. You can narrow it down depending on the type of mattress you have. Factors That Could Reduce the Lifespan of Your Mattress The estimates given above are based on average mattress use. It means that it doesn’t include other factors that might accelerate the decline of comfort and support that you should expect from your mattress. Your body would determine what kind of mattress you need to purchase and for how long can you use it. For example, if you are 40 years old or older, you are advised to replace your mattress every 5 years. Your body would require more support than younger folks and old mattresses has a decreased support it provides on your spine. Comparing the mattress you use every night to the one in your guest room, you’d notice a significant difference between them even if you bought them at the same time.