How to Fix a Broken Bed Frame

Natural wear and tear can cause problems with bed frames over time. However, replacing them would be prohibitively costly. It is possible to spend thousands of dollars on a new bed frame. Fortunately, there is a way to stop paying these exorbitant fees: you can patch them yourself. But how do you repair a shattered bed frame?

You can follow the steps below.

There are a few different methods that you can take, as we’ve seen. Let’s look at the most common problems, why they arise, and how you can solve them to make it easier to find the right answer.

How to fix bed frame cracks and splits

Splits and cracks in the base of the bed are one of the most common problems. This can be very concerning. However, if the problem is properly resolved, you should be able to use the bed comfortably again.

You must first obtain a clear view of the crack. This will necessitate the removal of the mattress. Then, using a screwdriver, carefully remove any debris, such as wood fragments, that have become trapped within the crack. After you’ve done that, you should have a better idea of the crack’s scale. The path you should take will be determined by this. Repairing Minor Cracks You might be able to repair the crack with putty if it isn’t too serious. You’ll need to take the following steps to accomplish this: 

  1. Sand the sides of the crack as smooth as possible with sandpaper. This will ensure that the wood filler adheres to the surface. 
  2. Fill the crack with wood filler until it is fully filled.
  3. Scrape out any excess filler with a putty knife. 
  4. Allow to dry.
  5. You may want to paint over the putty in some cases to hide the crack.

When the bed frame crack is large

In certain situations, wood filler would not be able to repair the crack. In this case, you’ll need to use a more intensive procedure, which includes the following steps: 

  1. Use sandpaper to smooth the crack’s edges.
  2. Using a damp cloth, wipe the affected area. The adhesive would have an easier time binding the two sides together as a result of this. 
  3. Measure the two sides with a clamp. You’ll need to be able to securely hold them together. 
  4. Once the clamp is in place, liberally apply wood glue to either side of the crack. Since this stage of the process can be messy, you may want to use an old blanket to capture any glue and protect your furniture. 
  5. Clamp the area down.
  6. Scrape away any leftover glue with a putty knife.
  7. Provide time for the glue to dry.
  8. Sandpaper the excess glue away from the surface to make it clean.
  9. You should now be able to close the crack. 

You may want to consider adding some additional support to the frame to prevent having to redo the operation. 

Broken bed slats

You might note that the bed slats have cracked or fallen off in some cases. Thankfully, replacing the broken slats is an easy job. 

What Causes This to Happen? The relentless pressure of the mattress will also bend and eventually split the slats

If the weight isn’t uniformly distributed, this can be accelerated, adding more force on some slats. 

If the weight isn’t uniformly distributed, this can be accelerated, adding more force on some slats.  How to Repair Broken Bed Slats

How to Repair Broken Bed Slats All you have to do now is patch the slat that has broken. Let’s take a look at the steps involved: 

  1. Take out the slat that is missing. They could be screwed in, depending on your bed. You can throw it away once it’s finished. 
  2. Measure the remaining slats. You’ll need to know the width, length, and thickness of each slat. Go to the hardware store and buy a replacement until you have the measurements. If you can’t find an exact match, pay attention to the thickness and distance. Later, you can cut it to length. 
  3. Align the new slat with the rest of the slats. 
  4. Position it in the desired location. You may want to secure it with a screw. You can add some wood glue for extra protection. 

What causes a bed frame to break?

A good night’s sleep is important for getting a good night’s sleep. To accomplish this, one must sleep in a comfortable environment.

The choice of a good bed contributes to comfort in part. The aim of bed frames is to keep the mattress in place.

The mattress will shift around if the bed frame is not properly supported, rendering sleeping a very uncomfortable experience.

  • A sagging mattress may be caused by a shaky bed frame. This will necessitate the purchase of a new bed frame.
  • An ill-fitting bed frame may, in some cases, be the cause of a nighttime accident by breaking and collapsing.
  • The quality and type of material used in the construction of the bed frame determine its weight.
  • Metal bed frames tend to be more durable and less likely to break, whereas wooden bed frames are known to crack and break over time.
  • Again, the type of wood used to build the bed determines its longevity and ability to withstand strain.
  • Some types of wood are more durable than others, while others can easily crack due to poor quality.
  • Depending on how much pressure is applied to a bed frame, it can break in various places.
  • When a bed frame is mounted, it is often ill-fitting and misaligned.
  • As a consequence, pressure would be applied to the wrong sections of the bed frame.
  • This can cause a crack in the bed frame, which, if not detected, can lead to the bed frame cracking due to the strain placed on it when sleeping.
  • The sidebars or railings may be broken if the installation is done incorrectly.
  • The weight of the occupant is another aspect that can lead to bed breakage.
  • The sidebars and bed railings can be broken by anyone who is really heavy.
  • This will happen gradually as the cracks formed, ultimately resulting in the bed breaking.
  • There are times, however, when objects are put on the bed are too heavy. If the weight of these things is too much for the bed to support, it will put a strain on the bed frame, ultimately cracking it.

The approach you use to repair or fix the broken bed frame will be determined by how the frame was broken. In certain situations, repairing a crack can be as easy as applying wood filler. In certain cases, a more intensive solution, such as replacing the broken elements, might be required.

Worn out bed joints  

You will also notice that the bed’s joints have begun to loosen. This could make the bed more shaky. If not addressed, this could lead to more serious issues in the future. If it becomes too loose, the joint can completely disintegrate, causing significant damage to the bed frame. 

What Causes This to Happen? Mortise joints were used in many older beds. This is where a slot in the wood connects the two bits. These are solid, but as the wood grows, they will gradually weaken. As a result, you might have noticed the addition of a metal bracket. This is intended to give the joint more strength. 

How to Restore a Defective bed Joint

The joinery will still be solid in most cases; the wood has just grown over time. As a result, you’ll need to tighten things up. Let’s take a look at some of the measures involved: 

  1. Remove the metal bracket first (if necessary). Hold these in a secure position because they will be reattached later. 
  2. Carefully remove the joints. This can include the use of a rubber mallet in some situations. 
  3. Examine the joint until you’ve exited. You’ll need to use a chisel to remove any dried glue on them. 
  4. Wrap the tendon in wood tape. The part of the joint that fits into the bed frame is this. This is usually the part of the joint that is loose. Wood tape can be used to solve the problem. 
  5. Fill the slot with wood glue. Try to cover all four sides of the slot with it. You may want to use a putty knife to assist you with this, spreading the putty to the slot’s four corners. 
  6. Reassemble the joint. It’s possible that you’ll need to pound the two bits together with a rubber mallet. 
  7. Replace the metal braces. If they’re broken, you may want to replace them. 8. Allow the glue to dry before proceeding. Then you should be able to begin reintroducing weight to the joint. 

Final remarks

Bed frames are costly, so you can only buy one if you really have to. As we’ve seen, a few simple DIY projects might be all that’s needed to solve the most common bed issues. As a result, you will be able to prolong the life of your mattress.