Learning how to repair a leaking waterbed is not difficult. In most cases, leaks can be fixed easily so there is no need to replace the entire mattress or call in professional help. Before starting the process of fixing the bed, you should purchase a waterbed patch kit if you did not get one with the mattress or cannot find it.
The first is to find where the bed is leaking. Small leaks can be difficult to spot but they usually occur near the seams of the bed or on the side. The best way to find a small leak is to take a piece of absorbent paper, such as toilet paper or tissues, and run it slowly up and down the mattress until you see it get wet. If you need to, you can apply pressure to top of the bed to force water out of the puncture so you can find it more easily. Do not empty the water from the mattress, as this will only make it more difficult to find the problem area.
Once you find the leak, you can use a permanent marker to identify the area of the waterbed mattress that needs to be repaired. Just circle the area or draw an arrow so you can find it again. Most repair kits come with a number of options for patching your bed so be sure to read the instructions and chose the best materials that are suited for the type of leak you find.
Next, you need to clean the area around the leak so that the adhesive will stick. Your repair kit should come with a cleaner or you can use a cotton ball and alcohol. Allow the area you have cleaned to dry completely before attempting a repair. If the leak is below the water line, simply place a pillow or cushion under that area to bring the puncture above the water line.
Cut a patch from the materials in your kit according to the instructions provided. Most kits recommend a patch about four inches in diameter. Apply the adhesive to the mattress and the patch as indicated in the repair kit. Press the patch firmly over the leak. Do not apply pressure to the waterbed until the adhesive has bonded completely. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours depending on the type of glue.
Waterbeds rarely leak, so if you have the misfortune of finding that your bed has been punctured take solace in the fact that once you learn how to repair a leaking waterbed you will probably never have to do it again. In extreme cases, you may have to use a waterbed pump to completely empty the mattress in order to repair.