The squeaky box spring might not be a significant problem, but that does not mean it will not drive you mad. Every time you get on the bed, it just keeps making that squeaking noise, and when you turn or move while sleeping, that sound can bother your sleep. Who would be able to keep their sanity around that?
Then why does it happen and how to get away with it? The problem could originate from a too-old box spring that is out-of-date, or from the friction between the box spring’s backing and the slats, the untightened bolts, or the inner coils of the mattress and the box, etc.
To find out more about the source as well as the way to get rid of this issue, you are welcome to join this article on how to fix a squeaky box spring.
Sources of The Problem and How to Fix a Squeaky Box Spring
First and foremost, you need to identify the source of the noise. In particular, it comes from these 4 common issues. Then, we come to the next part which also is the key point of this post – the ways of easy fixes. Here are the details.
1. The Problem from Sagging Coils
After all, everything will wear out, and this process happens gradually. And for the box spring, sagging coils are one of the first signs of deterioration. Usually, the coil is damaged individually and where you interact the most.
When this issue shows up, you have to live with this until a new replacement. However, the good news is, you can reduce the unbearable noise temporarily and enjoy a good night’s sleep. The ways are as below.
First and foremost, you need some preparation. The tools needed for this solution are:
- Old clothes, a board, a book, or anything that can play as a buffer.
The steps are taken as these states:
- Step 1: Define where the Sag spots are.
- Step 2: Furniture pad by using some old clothes, plywood, and other supporting material.
Otherwise, there is another way, for a short time, to deal with the sagging mattress.
Before implementing, the first thing you need to do is define the exact broken point. Then turn the bed around so the head and the foot are interchanged.
This way, the sagging coils can be changed to the position you interact less, and base on that reduces the squeaky sound.
2. The Friction Between Box Spring’s Wood Frame and Slats
Another often met noise origin is from the friction between the box spring’s backing and the wooden bed frame. When you move, even just an inch, on the bed, the wood frame rubs against the slats and creates friction, which the squeak is coming from. But thanks Goodness, in this case, the problem is easy to solve.
First, you need to prepare:
- Soft clothes, plywood, or hard and thin stuff.
And to help the bed from squeaking, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: In order to save material, you can identify the accurate spot of squeaking. To do this step, press all over the mattress surface and locate the problems’ position.
- Step 2: Pad the supporting materials at the exact located position, or you can cover all the wooden frame’s surface if you want to be extra careful
At step 2, normally, padding clothes is the most performed approach as everyone has this material. Furthermore, you can spread them on the slats without encountering any struggle.
But here is the other issue, when you already do the padding thing, but the squeaking noise doesn’t seem to decrease, then the plywood is the better alternative. You can request the store to cut it as same as your mattress sizes or the sizes you need.
3. The Deteriorating Box Spring
To not cause you any misunderstanding, the deteriorating coils are different from the sagging coils. Deteriorating coils can still be springy; it just only makes that squeaky sound when you press.
While the other is both not springy and creates sound when touched. That’s why situation 1, to a light extent, is able to be saved.
Usually, a box spring longevity falls from 5-7 years, the quality or less-used one can last up to 10 years. But you have to understand that before reaching this limit, the coils have already started deteriorating a while ago, and this is what disturbs your night’s rest.
To improve the noisy box spring, you need to lubricate the coils, and these are what to prepare:
- A cutting knife, scissors, or a box cutter
- A rub
- Lubricating substances (it could be WD40 or cooking oil, or other chemicals typically used for metal-thing lubrication)
- Needle and thread
The steps are as follows:
- Step 1: Cut the box spring’s cover at its edge; make sure to observe the coils and open up the area which allows you to do the job.
- Step 2: Spray WD40, chemicals, or rub the oil to the coils. It would help if you lubricate the area around the deteriorating coils and where they usually bear much pressure (it might not squeak yet).
- Step 3: Close the cover of the bed springs.
4. Loose bolts and Loose joints
The problem does not always originate from the box spring. If there is nothing wrong with the mattress, but the squeaky bed keeps screaming every time you move, then you should check the wooden frame joints and bolts.
Over time, the bolts are loosened due to the heavyweight pressure, and the high temperature. And because of this, the bed’s wooden sides are not well connected, creating loose joints. This causes them to expose to each other or rub against the floor, which is the source of the irritating noise.
So to handle this situation, you will first need these tools:
- Bolts, screws
- Tightening tools: wrench, screwdriver
- Washers (if necessary)
After that, you are ready for the action:
- Step 1: Remove the bed and check what kind of fasteners your bed used
- Step 2: Tighten all the joints with the wrench (used for bolts) and the screwdriver (used for screws).
- Step 3: Check for the noise, and if the squeaky sound still proceeds, you can use washers as it provides better tightening ability. Change bigger bolts or screws if the holes are too loose.
Final Words
In conclusion, there are 3 basic steps to stop box springs from squeaking. First, check the fail spots, then prepare the necessary equipment, and finally perform the fixing stages.
Above are the most common issues that the box spring users often meet. If the noise persists, then the problem mostly comes from something else but your box spring.
Hope that this information can help you get away with your squeaky box spring and be able to sleep soundly. Your satisfaction and comfort are also ours.
You might also want to read:
- 6 Best Box Spring Alternative Ideas
- How to Make a Bed Frame Stop Squeaking
- How to Fix a Broken Bed Frame
- How to Reinforce a Bed Frame
