A metal bed frame is a great choice due to its strength and durability. However, as is the case with any type of bed frame, it tends to wear out over time, after which it inevitably starts producing loud squeaking sounds.
Of course, these can be incredibly annoying, especially when you’re trying to catch a shut-eye after a long day at work. Any kind of movement will cause an old or faulty metal bed to squeak, waking you up from your much-needed slumber. And when it comes to lovemaking, a squeaky bed frame can really ruin the mood.
However, the situation may not be as bad as it sounds. While metal bed frames are susceptible to squeaking, you might be able to fix the problem without too much effort. Before we reveal how you can do that, you should learn why it happens in the first place.
Why Metal Bed Frames Tend to Squeak
No matter if it’s made from metal or wood, a bed frame will inevitably have a lot of joints. As you use the bed and as it moves, the metal parts rub against one another, creating friction. The friction is usually what causes the squeaking.
Be that as it may, a well-constructed metal bed frame shouldn’t squeak. When it does, that typically means that the joints or bolts have experienced some wear-and-tear and loosened up.
In addition, the noise might get worse if any parts of the bed frame have been bent or broken. And the more parts your frame has, the more squeaking opportunities it will have. For instance, beds with rails, center support, or a slatted base tend to be noisier than others. If even one part is not in its place, the whole thing can become unbalanced and squeaky.
Unsurprisingly, cheaper and lower-quality models tend to loosen up and start creaking much sooner than others. After all, they’re made with less care and usually aren’t as tight as their more expensive counterparts.
In case your bed frame is brand new and it produces the squeaking sounds anyway, you are probably dealing with a faulty one. As we mentioned, even the minutest defect or oversight can cause the whole frame to be flimsy and wobbly, and thus, noisy. Contact your retailer to get a replacement or get your money back.
How to Fix a Squeaky Metal Bed Frame
Here are some tips to help you stop your metal bed frame from squeaking:
Assess the Bed Frame
The first thing you should do is inspect the bed frame thoroughly to identify the source of the squeak. As we said, joints and loose screws are usually the ones responsible, but that’s not always the case.
Sometimes, the cause could be simply the headboard hitting the wall or the mattress rubbing against the frame. On the other hand, some parts of your bed might be broken, which you might not have noticed before.
Tighten up the Screws and Bolts
Take your wrench or screwdriver and tighten all the bolts, not just those that you believe are the culprits. Make sure to do that every once in a while to keep your bed nice and taut and prevent the squeaking. Furthermore, you can add rubber washers to reduce friction.
Replace Broken Parts
In case any parts of your bed frame have been compromised beyond repair, you’ll need to replace them altogether to repair your bed frame and stop the squealing.
For instance, if the springs in your mattress seem to be the problem, you’ll need to get a new one. Similarly, if the headboard or any of the slats are causing the squeaking, remove those and replace them with the appropriate alternatives. And if any screws are missing, it goes without saying that you need to replace those as well. Just make sure the new ones are the right size.
Lube up the Joints
Using a product such as WD-40, lubricate the joints of your metal bed frame from time to time.
Make Sure the Bed Is Stable
Finally, check whether your bed is stable, i.e. whether its legs are laying flat on the floor. If not, provide additional support where needed. However, that can only be a temporary solution and won’t work for too long.
In addition, it’s always a good idea to add felt pads to the legs of your furniture, such as these ones from X-Protector.
Conclusion
If you’re lucky, you might be able to get away with simple repairs. However, if your bed frame is old and past its prime, you might have to purchase a new one to get the squeaking to stop. After all, repairing an old and worn-down bed frame is costly and in most cases, outright impossible.