Do-it-yourself spring mattress repair

How the mattress works

A mattress with dependent springs consists of a metal frame on which springs are installed, rigidly fastened together and forming a single block.

The structure of a mattress with dependent springs

The most common is the Bonnell spring unit, invented more than 150 years ago, which contains from 120 to 160 springs per square meter. The spring consists of coils of different diameters - maximum at the edges and tapering towards the center. Thanks to this, they do not rub against each other and do not make increased noise.

Mattress based on Bonnell dependent spring block

The most common are five-turn steel springs made of hardened wire; four-turn springs are less commonly used. Dependent spring blocks are used in the production of upholstered furniture - sofas, ottomans, and are also produced for the production of mattresses for beds.

This block system consists of spring elements of a special cone shape, which are fastened together with a spiral wire made of hard carbon steel

This type of mattress is still in great demand among buyers due to its practicality and durability. The cost of this product is 30–40 percent lower than independent spring mattresses.

In a mattress with independent springs, which are called orthopedic, the springs are in covers made of non-woven material, which are glued together into a single block.

Bed mattress based on an independent spring block

With this scheme, the load is distributed more evenly, which allows the body to take a natural position when sleeping.

In this system, each spring element in the shape of a cylinder or “barrel” is located in its own special case made of thick fabric or elastic materials

An orthopedic mattress prevents the occurrence of back diseases, the sleeper’s blood circulation is not impaired, and a person wakes up in the morning rested, without pain.

Independent spring block for orthopedic mattresses

The greater the number of springs used per square meter, the more pronounced the orthopedic effect.

There are 3 types of hardness:

high, recommended for weights over 95 kg;
average, weight from 60 to 95 kg;
soft, weight up to 60 kg.

According to the number of springs, mattresses are divided into:

multipack TFK, with 250 springs. per square meter;
multipack S 1000–500 pcs.;
multipack S 2000– 1000 pcs.

Types of springs for independent blocks

What is a spring mattress made of?

Composition of a mattress with a Bonnell spring block

The mattress consists of the following elements:

spring block;
an underlying layer of non-woven material or burlap;
sealing layer, materials used – heat-pressed felt, coconut coir, polyurethane foam (foam rubber), struttofiber, latex, highly elastic foam;
The top layer is a cover, made of natural fabrics - linen, cotton.

Composition of a spring mattress with an independent block

Which spring mattresses are easier to reupholster?

If the internal structure is not damaged, then there will be no difference in how to tighten the spring mattress. Problems arise when additional wear or breakage of frame parts is detected.

It is much easier to cope with the task of home restoration and covering of mattresses consisting of individual springs. Continuous weaving blocks are assembled only in factory conditions using specialized equipment. It will not be possible to find replacement springs on sale in this design. Only undamaged parts from another old frame can help out.

Repair of mattresses with spring blocks

The service life of spring mattresses is 8–15 years. But sooner or later the question of replacing or repairing it arises. In some cases, it is preferable to repair the mattress and save 30–40 percent of its cost. What is mattress repair?

Over time, the highest quality mattress loses its properties - dips appear, springs burst, shape changes, the covering fabric becomes frayed and dirty.

In this case, there are two ways - buying a new mattress or repairing the old one.

The easiest way is to contact a mattress reupholstery workshop, where specialists will carry out a comprehensive repair of your product, replace the entire spring block, or, if there are only a few damaged springs, replace individual elements. A mattress that has undergone high-quality repairs in a workshop is not inferior in its properties to a newly purchased one.

Stage 4. Replacing the casing

The material that covers all the springs is removed and a new one is installed. The edges of the sheathing are folded into a gusset and secured to the frame using a hand stapler or small furniture nails.

Experts recommend replacing the spring casing, even if its external condition is satisfactory. If the repairs are carried out efficiently, you won’t have to return to replacing springs for another 5–10 years, and hardly a second time. This procedure is also carried out for hygienic purposes, because the fabric absorbs all odors and may contain dust and dust mites. If replacement is not possible, the material is washed and patches are applied if necessary.

Foam rubber or padding polyester is placed on top and secured to staples using a stapler. At the end, the external decorative material is stretched and attached around the perimeter. When laying each layer, stretch the fabric evenly to avoid wrinkles and sagging areas.

This completes the repair of the spring mattress. In cases where the frame itself is deformed, the user needs to replace its parts. To do this, the entire structure is disassembled, all fasteners and springs are disconnected. New frame elements should be selected in accordance with the characteristics of a particular model; in most cases, you can get by with a wooden block. This is a simple, but rather labor-intensive job that is best left to a specialized workshop.

Typically lasts from 5 to 15 years depending on operating conditions. After losing its comfortable properties, it must be replaced with a new one. Alternatively, you can repair the old one.

DIY spring mattress repair

If a spring mattress has become partially unusable, do not rush to throw it away - try to repair it

Having skills in household repairs and a minimal set of tools, you can perform such repairs yourself.

For this job you will need tools.

Pliers
Side cutters
Flat screwdriver
Hammer
Furniture stapler with staples

Materials and consumables needed for repairs:

springs (can be used from an old block of a similar shape and height);
fabric for lining;
padding material;
nails;
durable cord with a cross section of 4–6 mm;
new case.

Repair stages:

disassembling the product;
First you need to disassemble the mattress
removal of old lining and worn-out filler;
cleaning from dust and dirt;
inspection and identification of damaged areas;
After this, you need to inspect the springs and set them all in the correct position.
restoration of the frame and spring block;
After all the springs are evenly and firmly fixed to the frame, we carry out the strapping
You will need a strong rope for tying
control inspection of the block;
We check that all the springs are the same length and cover the mattress with lining fabric, securing it around the perimeter
laying new lining and filler;
covering with a new cover.
Covering the mattress with a new cover

Repairing a spring mattress begins with removing the old upholstery. It is better to carry out this work outside the house, since during operation, a large amount of debris, dust, and decomposed foam crumbs have formed in it. When disassembling at home, you need to prepare a vacuum cleaner and cover the floor with plastic film.

Once the upholstery is removed, the filler is carefully rolled up. It can be foam rubber, coconut fiber, batting. The lining fabric is removed. After cleaning the frame from old staples, nails, foam rubber residues and other non-woven materials, proceed to inspect the spring block. The steel frame surrounding the perimeter of the mattress is checked.

The metal frame encircling the spring block can be either one-sided, in less expensive models, or used in furniture production, or on both sides. A block with a double-sided frame is close in performance to orthopedic mattresses.

How to extend the life of a mattress

It is clear that one mattress is unlikely to last you a lifetime. Over time, it will still need repairs. But we note that the moment when there is nowhere to go can be delayed for a very decent period. To do this, you need to use this piece of furniture with the utmost care. Try to avoid situations that could damage it.

You need to buy a mattress according to your weight
Don't let children jump on the bed\
Never eat or drink while lying on the bed
Be sure to let the item dry and ventilate in the fresh air at least once a year.
The mattress should only be placed in the places intended for it
To prevent the decorative covering of the mattress from getting dirty, use additional removable covers

If you carefully follow all these simple rules of operation, then your mattress will serve you for many years, and its repair will not be needed very soon. This is a guarantee that your sleep will be healthy and sound.

The article was prepared with the help of specialists from the Sleep Laboratory. Website: https://sleep-lab.ru/ - Online mattress store.

Video. Spring mattress repair

Spring block repair

If out of the entire array of springs there is not a single broken one, and the central or side part has only sagged a little, then only the sagging elements are replaced

Damage to the frame is repaired, broken springs are removed, and new ones are installed in their place. The springs are fastened together using wire. The block is attached to a base of wooden slats using fabric straps, staples or nails. We remove all the old fasteners, align the springs on the slatted frame and re-secure them with nails or furniture staples. Nails 40-50 mm long should be used. To fasten the springs, the nails are driven in half their length and bent across the coil on both sides. To give additional rigidity, it is better to strengthen the spring block with a strong nylon cord. Along the perimeter of the wooden base, opposite each spring, nails are hammered into which the cord is attached. The rows of springs are alternately secured with a cord using a strapping. First, transverse rows are tied, then longitudinal and diagonally at 45 degrees. At the end of tying, the nails with the attached cord are bent.

If the location of the breakdown is a break in the steel frame, then the joint can be repaired by welding or, most simply, stuffing a copper tube

Stage 3. Tying spring blocks

When all the springs are securely fixed to the frame, they need to be tied. It's very easy to do.

You need to drive a nail opposite each row of springs at the level of the frame (you can see how the springs were initially fixed).
All nails are bent with hooks.
First of all, fix the two outer springs of the horizontal row.
Next, fix the springs vertically.
When all the longitudinal rows are tied, they finish tying the transverse ones, and both the springs themselves and the longitudinal cord are tied with a cord - this will ensure reliable fixation of the entire structure.
Upon completion of the tying, all nails are deepened into the frame to the base so that the cord does not fall off.

Repair of a mattress with independent blocks

Independent springs can also become deformed if used incorrectly

After disassembling and removing the sealing layer, the spring block should be inspected.

The most common damage is rupture of the fabric of the spring bags and disruption of the adhesive connection of the covers to each other, tearing of the springs from the frame, bending of the frame.

When the spring block is damaged, you need to cut out the damaged part, usually the middle part of the mattress

After inspection and identification of damage, they begin to eliminate them. The frame is checked and, if necessary, leveled. If broken springs are found, they should be replaced with new ones of the same shape. Bags that have become unusable are replaced.

We cut to size a spring block of the same height and density with the same number of springs per square meter and insert it in place of the old springs

To glue spring bags, it is recommended to use a glue gun with fabric glue sticks. The covers are glued in the center for one third of their length to maintain the orthopedic effect. After gluing the springs together, the attachment of the bags to the frame is checked. In places where they are absent, springs are attached to the frame using plastic ties or wire. Finally, a sealing layer is placed on the block and a cover is put on.

Place a coconut leaf on the spring block

You can lay foam rubber or natural latex on a coconut sheet to give it softness, or felt or padding polyester to make it stiffer.

A self-repaired mattress can last more than 5 years. Repairs take little time and can be completed within one working day. And work done with your own hands will bring satisfaction. Another undoubted advantage is a decent saving of money, which can always be used in any family.

Then a cover is put on the mattress - new or old depending on the condition - and the mattress can be used again

How to repair a bed spring mattress

Work begins with disassembling the product. To do this, it is laid face down. To ensure comfort, you need to place the mattress at a height of about 1 meter, so use stools, chairs or small bedside tables as support, in short, any suitable furniture. In addition, it is necessary to ensure free access to the mattress from all sides.

Disassembly begins by removing the fabric upholstery. To do this, carefully remove any nails or staples holding the upholstery fabric in place. After removing the upholstery and gaining access to the springs, assess their condition. Those that are loose, but still suitable for further use, must be strengthened, and those that are completely out of order will have to be replaced with new ones. If the supports for the springs are slats, then perhaps some of them will require replacement. This operation is simple and intuitive.

An important part of the repair is replacing the foam rubber or synthetic padding. Usually, over several years of operation of the product, it wears out so much that it cannot be restored. The worn-out material, which has been pressed in places, is removed and new material is placed in its place. By the way, before you repair a spring mattress, think about whether you would like to change the concept of the product by replacing soft foam rubber and synthetic padding with a more rigid solution, for example, coconut coir. This will improve the orthopedic qualities of the bed.

After inspecting the springs and replacing the gasket, the repair work can be considered completed, and all you have to do is cover the product with new upholstery. In this case, it is necessary to control the tension of the textile so that it lies evenly, without the formation of folds and wrinkles. The fabric is nailed to the frame or fastened with staples using a construction stapler.