Squeaky Bed Frame Help

Submitted by dr0psh0tx t3_126x2xn in DIY

Hi r/DIY! Got a bed frame squeaking problem that I'm looking for some tips on. I spent the better part of an afternoon last week trying the standard stuff - Took it apart entirely and made sure to tighten all the bolts and waxed all the contact points. I THINK most of the problem is in the slats, which connect to the bed frame via wood joinery, with a sheet of plywood sitting on top of them.

The bed itself is a mahogany (I think) four-poster style frame, and the frame elements are connected by brass bolts, with slats that fit into the frame via wood joinery. One of the upper horizontal members is missing from the assembly currently, as one of the brass bolts snapped in the process of moving a few weeks back, so I'm sure that'll lend to some flexing issues until I get around to getting a new bolt.

Anyways, is there anything else I could try to help curb, if not silence, all the squeaking? I was considering buying some foam to put between the plywood and the slats, but I'm not sure how much it would help if the slats themselves are possibly flexing and pushing/pulling against the frame. Alternatively I was thinking about sanding the ends of the slats down a hair to reduce the amount of compression they're under, but at that point I'm not sure if that would worsen the problem by giving things more room to shift around. Here's a photo of the bed itself and a shot from underneath of what the slat connection looks like with a crappy plan diagram:

Imgur Link

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Jay-Five t1_jebsk5p wrote

I’ve always used soap on all wood to wood contact points, but your wax should do similarly.

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dr0psh0tx OP t1_jebuyox wrote

The wax definitely helped! My next thought was that some of the slats are SUPER tight fitting, so sanding down the connection points a bit might alleviate some of the tension. But I'm concerned this might create opportunities for movement which could work against me :) Alternatively I could physically screw the slats down to just minimize the movement entirely. I've got some work ahead of me this weekend...

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Jay-Five t1_jeby1fb wrote

You'll never get rid of wood on wood movement 100% unless you glue the crap out of everything, but it is worth a try to give it a few screws here and there.

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mexxmann t1_jegfk6f wrote

I was waiting for the wood on wood comment :)

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disconnect27 t1_jech2o9 wrote

For a few months I thought it was my frame It was a broken box spring. Next weekend new box spring…. Silent Thanks for coming to my Bed Talk

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kingfrito_5005 t1_jebumtk wrote

Was the bed squeaky before the horizontal bracing snapped? Because if not then thats your problem. Horizontal sway is USUALLY the problem with squeaky beds, which is why tightening things up helps. But if it's missing that piece, the whole bed will be collectively less rigid, and therefore squeakier. If it still squeaks with that fixed, you could also try adding corner bracing of some kind. Anything that improves rigidity will reduce squeaking.

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dr0psh0tx OP t1_jebx5uf wrote

We actually have never attached this particular piece - At our old place there was a ceiling fan in the way so we never got around to attaching it (my girlfriend REALLY wanted this bed). I've figured the missing piece might be contributing to the trouble, but maybe I've been underestimating by how much. Thanks for this - I'll get this fixed first and see how much it helps.

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Guswis t1_jecj77n wrote

I built a wood bed a few years ago and had issues with squeaking. I used felt tape where I could to keep the wood from coming in direct contact with other wood - this helped a ton. Anywhere else I used wax - this took care of the few squeaks that were left. Completely squeak free now.

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imnotsoho t1_jedk746 wrote

I have the opposite bed squeaking problem. Mine doesn't squeak enough. I guess I should look for someone to help me with that.

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Brillo65 t1_jedze4l wrote

I cut some wetex sponge to size and put it in the contact points of our sons bed. Sorted! It’s thin dense dish/ utility sponge if you’re not familiar

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breis777 t1_jecfqug wrote

Just put your mattress on the ground the bedframe can't squeak if you don't use it

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