my new bed squeaks

[jgkgolf]

We just bought a new bed off the internet and having assembled it discovered that it squeaks when you move in the bed. We bought the mattress (sealy) locally in a shop but wanted a 4 foot bed in white wood and could only find it on the internet. We quite like the look of the bed so are not sure whether to try and fix the squeak or return it. The website says there will be a charge of =A329 'to recover part of the collection cost' and I'll lose the =A35 I spent to ensure a morning delivery! This is the bed

's basically a wooden frame with 12 (plywood I think) slats going the full 4 foot span across the bed. The slats come joined together by a nylon string with the corect distance between each slat. This means no measuring or spacing is required, just lay them on the bed and pull apart as far as the string will allow. However only 3 slats are actually screwed to the bed , the 2 end ones and one in the middle which mean the other slats will move against the frame if you move in the bed. I'm just worried that if I try screwing the remainder of the slats to the frame and the squeak remains then I won't be able to return the bed. Any suggestions appreciated.

[Roger Mills]

Why not put some thin rubber strips betwen the frame and the non-screwed slats. That should stop them squeaking, but won't prevent you sending it back if it doesn't work.

[jgkgolf]

Thanks for your suggestion. I'm just trying to think where I could get some thin rubber strips? No please don't go there!

[TMC]

Does it have a centre rail from the head to the foot?

Single beds don't have doubles normally do

If it does not then you have zero chance of the slats remaining stationary. they will flex with the weight and rub on the side rails

If it does have a centre rail you could support that from underneath with say 3 bits of 2 x 2 as extra legs This will prevent sagging and reduce the slats flexing

Another option may be to try a bit of candle wax rubbed on the underside ends of the slats to reduce the friction

If you want a really silent bed 3 lengths of 6 x 2 with 4 x 1 par screwed crosswise

6 x 1 head foot and sides to keep mattress in place about 40ukp and an hours work

Tony

[TMC]

Old bicycle inner tube

for thicker strips discarded car tyre inner tube from any tyre place

Tony

[LSR]

Sorry but yesterday's New Scientist may help you find a real bargain:

"WHEN Mark Jarvis wanted to test the theory that absolutely everything can be purchased from Amazon, he searched amazon.co.uk for "condoms". Sure enough, he was told that among other offers he could buy 12 new Durex Performer condoms for £7.69 or "4 used and new for £2.95".

[jgkgolf]

No, it doesn't have a centre rail.

I'll give the candle wax suggestion a go tonight. Thanks

[A.Clews]

Thus spake TMC ( [e-mail]) unto the assembled multitudes:

*Car* tyre inner tube? Since when have car tyres had inner tubes? I thought they've all been tubeless for about the last 40 years...?

In any case I'd have thought a strip of fabric - old sheet cut into strips etc - and maybe soaked in wax would do the job, just to prevent the wood-to-wood contact.

[TMC]

They offered me some old ones from the skip if I wanted to come down

Used also on vintage spoked wheels, caravan and trailer wheels, and truck tyres

Tony

[TMC]

[adder1969]

Sorry, I'll try to stay still next time I'm ..er... staying at yours. :-)

[adder1969]

Ikea beds have rubbery plastic end caps that fit on the end of the slats. You might be lucky and they'll be the same size.

[Emil Tiades]

The £29 refers to the Distance Selling Regulations when people return something within 7 days because mother in law doesn't like the colour or whatever.

If your bed is faulty -a £ 199 bed shouldn't squeak-, it's covered under the terms of the SOGA. If the retailer is stroppy and you paid by credit card, complain to the CC company as they are liable.

Discuss this in uk.legal

[The Medway Handyman]

Cue Chinese chicken joke.......

[Colin Wilson]

I recently bought an Ikea bed for the spare room and it didn't have plastic end caps on the slats- it doesn't seem to squeak either, unlike the pine framed bed in our room...

[Andy Hall]

You mean as in "What's the difference between 69 and 96?"

"96 come with boi ri"

[The Medway Handyman]

No!

Man in Chinese Restaurant; "Waiter, this chicken is rubbery". Chinese Waiter: Fan you velly much Sir".

[geoff]

In message , Andy Hall writes

Fish n' boi ri ?

[jgkgolf]

well I tried the candle wax and amazingly the squeak has completely gone. Thank you very much Tony for your suggestion.

[Andy Hall]

That wi curry saw and chip.