Knowing how to fix a bed frame is quite important. Simply because learning to do something like this with your two hands will give you a great sense of accomplishment. Also, it comes with a whole host of other great benefits.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to add some new skills to your toolbelt as well as give yourself a boost in confidence. This boost in confidence that you will get is somewhat different from those you get compliments from others.
In terms of benefits from fixing a frame, one of the best ones is saving money. And in my opinion, finding ways to save money and adding a valuable skill to your toolbelt is the best reason for wanting to do something yourself.
This article should be the only one you need to learn how to fix a bed frame as we will be covering all the major fixes you might need.
Table of Contents
Why DIY & not repairmen for a broken wooden bed frame
As I have said above, being able to fix something like a bed frame showcases that you have matured and become an adult. If you aren’t comfortable with a broken bed frame sleeping without a mattress might be possible.
But that might be too big of a picture for some, so here are a few more superficial and easier to understand reasons.
First of all, doing something by yourself will help you save money by not having to hire someone else. And tell me if I am wrong but isn’t saving money always a good thing? To me, it is, so that’s that.
Second of all, learning a new skill never hurts, even something like how to fix a bed frame. Because, like it or not, you won’t always know when a particular skill might become valuable and at what time. While learning to fix a broken bed frame, you might also learn something else.
Third of all, just because you hired a repairman doesn’t automatically mean that the wooden bed frame might get fixed. I honestly can’t tell you how many times I or someone I know called a repairman, and they did a shoddy job for a ridiculous price.
Bottom line is that being able to Do It Yourself(DIY) isn’t a sign of stupid masculinity or something equally dumb. In fact, I think knowing to DIY led me to be more innovative and more financially secure.
And that, my friend, is never a bad thing!
2+1 easy ways on how to fix a bed frame
Hopefully, you are more and more convinced to fix the problems with your own two hands by this point. If so, fantastic, and let’s get down to it.
In my own experience, I know of two main ways to fix a wooden bed frame. Coupled with those two ways, a fellow DIYer has informed me of another way which I have marked optional, but I think you should check it out as well.
As I am sure that there will be some who clicks to this article will be beginners I have written all the steps as simply as possible. Just because of that, don’t be discouraged. Since learning something from another perspective never hurts.
Each one of our ways on how to fix a bed frame will require simple tools such as extra wood, wood glue, clamps, a drill, and drill bits. Moreover, the basic idea behind our ways is to use the wood pieces to fix the problems and then clamp the wood glued pieces.
Way 1: How to fix a bed frame crack
Use this source code to share this image on your website
<a href="https://www.homishguide.com/how-to-fix-a-bed-frame/" title="How to Fix a Bed Frame Crack"><img src="https://www.homishguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/how-to-fix-a-bed-frame_Infographics1.jpg" width="100%" style="max-width: 850px;" alt="How to Fix a Bed Frame Crack"></a><br>Provided by <a href="https://www.homishguide.com/" target="_blank">https://www.homishguide.com/</a>Cleans the cracks
Before we get into fixing up your bed frame, we need to check if everything is OK. What I meant is that we need to thoroughly check the bed frame and determine if everything is alright. Before starting any DIY project, I always do a check-up because you never know what else might be wrong.
Whenever I work on a bed frame, I find checking for splinters or mites in the cracks is always worth it. The reason for checking is because if you or I miss something, it will hamper the fixing of wooden bed frames.
First of all, you have to use a screwdriver to widen the cracks to check inside. If there are some splinters or mites inside, remove them altogether. For others, using an X-Acto Knife might be of better use. While using them, make sure to be careful that you don’t cut yourself.
Add the wood glue
After checking the cracks for splinters and such, you need to insert some wood glue into those cracks. When inserting glue, make sure you put it along its entire length, and you need to do it in such a fashion so that the whole thing sticks back together.
When filling in the gap with wood glue, I usually use a squeeze bottle with a narrow nozzle. I found out that using a narrow nozzle leads to a better spread, so it’s easier to even out. To even out all the wood glue, it’s better to use a putty knife when you fix a bed frame.
If you don’t have a putty knife, don’t worry when I first started out, I used to use an X-Acto knife. Also, you will need to wait for some time for the wood glue to harden. Make sure not to forget to fill out any cracks.
Fasten the clamps
The next step in this DIY project is to clamp all the planks with cracks in them. Similar to the X-Acto knife, when using clamps, be careful. In this case, you have to be cautious that you don’t use too much force with the clamps.
I use both the c clamps and the bar clamps in my workshop, but that’s only because I do a lot of DIY. For the rest of you, choose the one that you think will help you in this task.
Once you have clamped the areas with glue in the cracks, fasten it until the excess glue squeezes out. After you have secured it shut with reasonable force, you need to leave it overnight.
The reason for this is for the glue to work its magic. The glue will harden between the cracks and help fix the wooden bed frame by leaving the clamp on for so long.
Toughen up the joints
Coming back the next day, you will hopefully find that the glue has hardened. Once you have checked the hardness of the cracks, you need to fortify the joints to fix a bed frame. To do so, you need to measure the cracks again and add some extra just to be safe.
I found that adding an extra four to six inches to reinforce the joints properly gets the job done. Once that measurement is complete, move on to measuring the wooden bed frame width.
After measuring the bed frame width, I usually cut half-inch plywood, but you can use another type. As long as the piece of wood isn’t too old or damaged, you can get away with any kind of scrap wood.
Drill some holes
For this step, there isn’t much that needs to happen. Just get a regular old drill and a 3/16 drill bit. In case you were wondering, my drill and drill bits are nearly six years old.
After getting out or borrowing a drill and drill bit, make holes on the plywood you measured for your bed frame. Once you have warmed up your drill, start making holes that are two to three inches apart. At the same time, don’t get scared if the holes are a bit skewed. As long as the holes are proper distance apart and somewhat straight, you will be golden for fixing this bed frame.
Glue & screw the holes
Finally, we are at the last step on how to fix a bed frame with cracks. All that is left is to place the plywood over the cracks. In between cracked wood and plywood, put some glue.
Since the plywood you placed has some holes in them, you need to imbed screws in them. Again get out any old screwdriver that matches the screws. For the best result, I believe using one-inch screws works the best.
After everything is done, leave the frame for 12 hours, and that’s it!
Way 2: How to shore up a wooden bed frame
Remove everything
If you are confused, all I meant by this is to remove the mattresses and toppers from the bed before you fix the frame. This might be a step that comes as common sense to many, but you never know.
In the beginning, I said I would make the steps as simple as possible, so I am telling you to remove everything. However, pay attention to the broken slats and don’t remove them, and this is because you will need them when I tell you how to support the bed frame with extra lumber.
Like the first steps in fixing bed frames with cracks, check the entire thing for damages. As I mentioned above, doing so will help you find something wrong that you didn’t know.
Cut some wood
This might be a straightforward way to say things, but it’s true. After you have made a good account of all the damage, you need to cut some timber. Now when you are missing these pieces of wood, you need accurate measurements.
Get a piece of plank and place it over the area with damage to get the best measurements. Then measure and mark the length you will need and do it for all the places with damage.
Once you have all the areas measured and marked, take the pieces outside to be cut. For cutting all this wood, I use an electric circular saw. But in the beginning, I made do with a hand saw as well, which I still have.
Even though you can get away with a hand saw, I believe having an electric saw is preferable.
Support with wood planks
Once you have cut all the required wood, you need to go back inside. Now is the time to place all the cut wood over the areas with cracks in them. I will once again say that you should place wood over all the cracks, even the ones in the non-broken slat.
Because I am sure that you don’t want to fix a bed frame multiple times. Better to get everything done at once, aren’t I right?
To properly fix all the wood pieces, you need some screws and a screwdriver. For the pieces over the cracks, use as many as necessary but keep them short. For the ones in the intersection, use much longer screws.
(Optional) Way 3: How to restore a broken bed frame
Use this source code to share image one your website
<a href="https://www.homishguide.com/how-to-fix-a-bed-frame/" title=" How to Restore a Broken Bed Frame"><img src="https://www.homishguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/how-to-restore-scaled.jpg" width="100%" style="max-width: 850px;" alt=" How to Restore a Broken Bed Frame"></a><br>Provided by <a href="https://www.homishguide.com/" target="_blank">homishguide</a>Break down the frame
Restoring a bed frame instead of needing to know how to fix a bed frame will really help you in the long run. However, many might find it tiresome, so that they won’t do it. I think that if fixing the bed frame is all you want to do, in particular, then do just that.
But if you want to refurbish your old or broken bed frame, you can do it. And here is the first step.
Just take the bed frame apart after you have removed everything. To disassemble a bed frame is relatively easy, and you just have to be careful.
Clean the pieces
After you have finished taking apart the bed frame, you need to clean all the pieces, and you might not know what might be stuck on the pieces. For example, I have seen many things like grease, dust, mites, etc., on old or broken bed frames.
Therefore, to ensure that these nasty things aren’t in your refurbished bed frame, you should use a disinfectant and cloth. A friend of mine recently informed me that you could also use a vinegar and water mixture in place of a disinfectant.
Fill up the cracks
For refurbishing purposes, you can use wood putty or wood filler in place of glue for any cracks. But pieces that are too far gone, you will need to replace them sadly.
Check the joints
A reason for needing to either fix a wooden bed frame or reinforce it is that the joints are broken, and therefore you need to check the entire thing properly. If you find any of the joints in need of fixing, then fix them.
In most cases, I found using either wood glue or wood tape gets the job done, but sometimes you will need an extra piece here or there. For those times, using a rubber mallet is the best, at least for me.
Flatten everything
You should be done with all the repairs now. You need to even everything out by this step. For this task, I usually make use of sandpaper of different grits for different wood.
However, if you are a severe DIYer, then you might have an electric sander like me then you can use that. But I find using a regular sander more rewarding for some reason.
Repaint(if you want)
If I speak just from my perspective, repainting is something I usually don’t do, and this, and you, is because I find no use in it. But if you find your bed frame to be discolored, then to fix it, you can repaint it.
Reassemble the bed frame
All the work needed to refurbish or fix a bed frame has been done, so all that you need to do is reassemble it. If you were able to disassemble your bed frame, then you can put it back together.
While doing so, make sure to use new screws and metal brackets for apparent reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What do you need to fix a wooden bed frame?
Different issues with the bed will require various tools, but here are some standard essentials that I find handy in most situations.
Nails
Hammers
Screwdriver
Drill & drill bits
Saw
Clamps
Wood glue
Safety goggles and gloves
How does a new wooden bed frame break?
There can be honestly a hundred reasons why a bed might break. But the most common reasons are some jumping up and down, or the bed is old. Also, you might find infestation mites which sadly happened to me in college. But with some polishing and checking the bed every year or two, you can avoid these.
Are there ways to fix bed slats?
Of course, there are ways to fix broken bed slats. First of all, you need to check the slat for cracks. Once you have found these cracks apply wood glue in those areas. To allow the glue to harden, place a secure clamp. Now that all the cracks have been filled, you need to measure the area for additional support. Then drill holes in the measured and cut wood and place on the damages. Finally, you need to place support legs where you have repaired them and use a screwdriver to do it.
How to fix a metal bed frame?
Fixing metal bed frames is similar to fixing bed frames only; instead of a screwdriver, you will need to solder more. Therefore follow the steps on how to fix a bed frame and adjust the metal frame where I saw you need a screwdriver.
Conclude
In summary, all you need to know on how to fix a bed frame is that check everything carefully and fix individual issues. In terms of tools, you might need them, and all you have to have are the basic things.
Becoming someone that can DIY isn’t all that. In fact, I love being able to fix things with my own two hands. With a better bed frame, your sleeping time will improve.
