I certainly hope so! It seemed that waterbeds and outlets to purchase them were going the way of the dinosaur and it was getting harder to find accessories for my almost 30 year old bed. Then, I checked out the internet and found a new store was opening nearby. I was pleased to find out that storefronts and internet waterbed shops are increasing in number.
We recently moved and people seeing our new home often are surprised to see a waterbed in our room. Most people have the idea that they will burst and flood the room and are bad for the back. Since I am a waterbed veteran I can put your fears to rest (yep, pun was intended) and let you know what you can expect from your new waterbed.
Your waterbed won't burst. Nope, I've never even heard of this happening. We have a Siberian Husky and a White Shepherd and they regularly play on our bed. They have never punctured the mattress, nor have I. Occasionally, though, your bed may have a small leak. If your waterbed does have a leak, it is a slow process and as you make your bed you will notice a small damp spot. All you do is pull back the sheets, find the leak (it will be small) prop up the mattress to remove any stress, then patch the spot with a waterproof patch that often comes with the waterbed. If your bed didn't come with a patch kit, pick one up at a discount store in the sporting goods department or at a pool supply place. Also, using just a bead of the glue is sufficient for many leaks. In 30 years of owning a waterbed, we have had maybe 5 places to patch. Waterbeds set inside a liner within the frame of the bed, so if you are still worried, that liner is a safeguard. A waterbed mattress lasts about 15 years.
Waterbeds are NOT bad for your back. Because of the nature of the waterbed, equal pressure is placed on all parts of your body. Because pressure is distributed your muscles relax more than on a conventional bed. People with a bad back will often find their pain diminishes or disappears after sleeping on a waterbed. I have a congenital back problem but have have no problems with my back since sleeping on a waterbed. Waterbeds have been known to reduce the occurence of bed sores in bedridden patients.
Waterbeds are heated. Ahhhh...that is really nice especially in the winter. Most keep their waterbeds set between 86 and 90 degrees. Think about that when it is 20 degrees outside. In the summer, you can turn the bed's heater down and your bed stays nice and cool. Talk about climate control! A heater lasts several years.
Waterbeds reduce allergies. Yep, you read that right. The reason is a waterbed mattress is made of vinyl so you have eliminated dust mites and other bed bug issues. If the mattress pad and sheets are washed regularly, you will see a decrease in allergy problems.
Your waterbed will not toss you out on a wave. You can decide just how much movement you want your waterbed to have. You can purchase freeflow beds that have more movement or choose from a variety of baffled and chambered beds that remove much of the motion.
Now, for the downside. Because they are heated you will use about the same amount of electricity in a year heating your waterbed as you do for a class A freezer. But, remember, you can turn your home's heater down for those winter nights, so it may just even out. If you keep your bed made the heat doesn't escape from the bed quickly which makes it even more energy efficient.
Moving with a waterbed takes more effort because you have to drain the bed (the drain and fill kit comes with the bed when you purchase it), disassemble it and put it back together at the new place. It is a little more time consuming, but well worth it. Waterbeds are not hard to assemble. The brackets stay attached to the bed as do most of the screws and you just line the bracket with the screws and let the frame pieces fall into place.
You will have to remember to condition the mattress every year. This is easy, you buy a bottle of conditioner from an online vendor or local store and pour it in the bed's fill hole. How to remember? I buy a bottle of waterbed conditioner and put it in my husband's stocking every Christmas.
The sheets cost more for a waterbed than a conventional mattress. Some people prefer soft-side waterbeds which have the benefts of a waterbed but use regular bed sheets.
As you can see, the benefits of sleeping on a waterbed far outweigh the drawbacks. If you are in the market for a new bed, check out your local waterbed store. Let me know what you think. Also, if you already sleep on a waterbed, leave some feedback.
