What breaks down in a Tempur-Pedic mattress?
May 11, 2010 1:08 PM
Ouch
Location: San Jose, CA
Joined: Apr 4, 2010
Points: 143
From what I can tell after researching forums and reviews of TP matts, they seem to have a major failure at approx 4 1/2 years. The just go "soft", and stop giving the amazing support that most owners rave about during the first 4 years. I even found a blog, which was linked in one of the threads here, that talks about one solution to revitalize your TP when that happens. http://fixyourtempurpedic.blogspot.com/

But, I was wondering what component of their mattresses are the main culprit of this sudden failure. Which layer, or layers, is/are actually breaking down? Is it the upper Tempur layers, mid support layers, or base layer? Since, I am assuming, the base layer is standard PU-type foam, I wonder if that is the main culprit? I also wonder if different models suffer from different failure rates, due to different composition? Does anybody know?

I am returning my recently-purchased Vera Wang latex bed, and have chosen the TP Bellafina as a replacement. (My retailer was kind enough to offer the TP at an even greater discount than he usually gives to compensate for Serta's factory error.) The Bellafina has a Latex layer in the middle, over a single slab of their airflow base, vs the usual two slabs of base foam. So, this not only gives the bed a much faster restore time (the Gary-shaped indentation dissipates quickly), I am hoping it may give it a little more longevity, if it is indeed the base layers that are the cause of these 4-year failures.

But, even if it does fail at the 4.5-year mark, I'm perfectly willing to replace whatever layer has crapped out. Based on that website above, it seems simple enough to remove a layer and replace it.

If you're wondering why TP doesn't replace these types of failures under warranty, they specifically state that softening isn't covered. They only cover indentations over 3/4", plus splits and cracks. 

BTW, I'm really looking forward to the TP (we love the Ergo adjustable base we already have that we purchased to use under the Vera Wang matts), and will post my first impressions when it arrives, and a full review after having slept on it for a while. It felt great in the store. But, you guys sure know how little that often means in the real world.