It’s a sleeping disaster when your inflated sleeping pad has a leak and you can’t get proper sleep during the night. To solve the issue, you’ve got to locate the leak, read on for helpful tips on locating leaks in your sleeping pad.
You can find leaks in your sleeping pad by, placing the pad in a bathtub filled with water, then checking for bubbles popping out from a hole or puncture. You can decide to spread soapy water across your pad, use a spray bottle filled with soapy water, and wait to check for bubbles coming from any holes, or simply inflate the pad and inspect for leaks.
Remember to mark the punctured spot with a permanent marker or color pen, and repair it immediately after a leak is found. Dear reader, read on to learn simple hacks for locating leaks in your sleeping pad and ways to repair them.
Which Type Of Sleeping Pad Suffers From Leaks?
It is worth noting that not all types of sleeping pads suffer from leaks or punctures.
Foam or soft (ultralight) sleeping pads are more durable and are less likely to get a leak or holes in them.
On the other hand inflated or self-inflating pads are easily prone to holes or leaks, but on the plus size, these leaks can be located and repaired. If you prefer to stick with the inflated sleeping pads, here are some ways to locate leaks in them.
7 Different Ways To Locate Leaks In Your Sleeping Pad
Here are seven different ways to find leaks in your sleeping pad.
- Inflate the pad and inspect the entire pad for leaks or punctures.
- Lather the pad with soapy water or use a spray bottle, gently roll one end of your pad, then check for bubbles popping from any holes.
- Submerge the inflated pad in a lake or pool, (with the valve done up), then check for bubbly streams coming out, and use a permanent marker to mark the spot.
- Place the pad in a bathtub filled with water, and inspect for bubbles popping out from any hole or puncture.
- Inflate your pad, place pressure on it, then listen or feel around the pad for air sounds being released from the pad, and mark the leak spot.
- Place the pad on the grass, and check for signs of a wet spot or the grass sticking directly into a spot.
- Inspect the seams, valves, or material of the pad, for any holes or punctures. Or you can hold the inflated pad up to sunlight or light, and check for any light penetrating through, that’s where the hole is.
If you’re still unable to find the leaks, take the pad to a professional, and have it checked and repaired.
How to Repair The Leaks On Your Sleeping Pad
Here are some ways to fix leaky sleeping pads.
1. Repair With Alcohol Wipe & Seal Sealer
Start with rubbing the alcohol wipe on the marked area, then apply the needed amount of seal sealer (seam grip) on the spot, and begin to spread evenly on the spot with a small brush. Most seam sealers come with a small brush, and leave to dry in the sun or overnight.
This will help to seal the leak
2. Use Tenacious Tape On The Leak
Another effective way to fix leaks in your sleeping pad is through tenacious tape. They are like duct tape, but much thinner and won’t peel your skin if you roll on them while sleeping. They come in various colors (although white is most preferred) and with strong adhesive to help your leaky problem.
It is advisable to patch with the tape on both sides of the hole, so it won’t easily peel off and stay firmer on the hole.
Cut the needed tape and apply the adhesive side to the bottom side of the hole, and apply another tape to the other side of the hole, there you have two connecting patches, holding the forte with a firmer grip.
3. Make Use Of A Repair Kit
When you purchase a sleeping pad, it is advised to get a repair kit as well, as it would come in handy during an extended camping trip.
To repair a leak on your pad, follow the instructions that were included with your kit as a guideline, or research and read what the manufacturer of your sleeping pad recommends for repairing it. If there’s no result, go to your local gear shop, to help you repair the leaky holes in your pad, for about $40.
It is better to test run your pad after you have finalized all leakage repairs before you embark on your camping trip. Do that by inflating your pad, then sleep on it or place random stuff on the pad, and leave overnight, if it’s still intact by morning, then your sleeping pad, is good to go!
Conclusion
After an energetic day of camping or hiking, you need to be well-rested to be energized for the next day or camping tour.
That’s why if there’s a leak on your sleeping pad, it’s important you locate it and repair it immediately, so the hole or puncture doesn’t expand. This article has aided in discussing useful tips to solve this issue, we hope you find them helpful.
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