For camping trips and accommodating guests, air mattresses are useful.The best air mattresses are prone to leaks.It is worth considering repairing the leak yourself since a top-of-line air mattress can cost quite a bit of money.
Step 1: Find the source of the leak.
There are many ways to find a leak in an air mattress, from listening for the leak to spraying the mattress with soapy water and looking for bubbles to more extreme tests like submerging it in a tub or swimming pool.The most reliable methods seem to be spraying the mattress with soapy water and using your ears.You should always inspect the mattress systematically.The valves should be inspected first.Check the seams.Look at the flat surfaces of the mattress.
Step 2: The leak should be marked.
Use a piece of masking tape or a permanent marker.To smooth the area before attempting to patch it, use fine grit sandpaper or an emery board.Be gentle!Make sure to remove any debris with a vacuum cleaner.Use acetone to smooth the area before patching it.Wet a cotton ball with a small amount of acetone.To remove the flocking, use a spoon.Rub alcohol to clean the area.
Step 3: The mattress should be dry.
The hair dryer can be used to speed up the process.Allow the mattress to air-dry overnight.
Step 4: Remove the mattress.
Step 5: You should gather your materials.
You will need to use a glue like Coleman's Seam Sealer.
Step 6: Put a small amount of glue over the hole.
Step 7: Attach the mattress.
The glue should seal the hole when the mattress is inflated.If you can't seal the hole with glue alone, use Method 2, "Patching a Small Hole or Tear."
Step 8: Allow the glue to dry.
This will take 24 hours.Before using the mattress, make sure the glue is dry.
Step 9: You should gather your materials.
You will either need an air mattress repair kit or an equivalent component that is larger than the hole you are repairing.An air mattress repair kit can be used.It is a good idea to choose a glue that is specifically made for seams.Coleman's Seam Sealer is a good choice.You can use rubber cement as well.If no other alternatives are available, duct tape can be used.You might need something to apply the glue.A small brush is ideal.
Step 10: Measure and cut a patch that is at least 12 inch larger than the tear.
Step 11: The patch needs to be applied one side at a time.
Use the brush that came with it.You need to cover the entire patch.If the leak is small and in an area where a patch cannot make full contact with the mattress fabric, you can try plugging it with a small amount of glue.
Step 12: Press the patch onto the tear or hole.
Press hard and smooth it out.The goal is to get the patch to hit the mattress.If you want full contact between the patch and the mattress, consider putting a 10-pound weight on it.
Step 13: Allow it to dry for several hours.
The exact drying times will be determined by which glue you use.Refer to the directions on the package.
Step 14: The mattress could be returned.
A leak in the seam can be a sign of a defect or poor quality.
Step 15: Take your materials.
You will need an air mattress repair kit to fix it.Urine glues like Coleman's Seam Sealer are good for purchasing.You can use rubber cement instead of glue.
Step 16: If you want to cover a tear, cut a patch from a repair kit or a spare piece of vinyl.
Step 17: There is an ample amount of glue over the tear.
If you have a small paint brush, use the one that came with it.The glue should extend 14 of an inch beyond the edges of the tear.If you want the two sides of the seam to stick together, use more glue.
Step 18: The two sides of the seam should be pressed together.
The goal is to make sure that both sides of the opening remain in contact.Clothespins could be used to hold the two sides of the tear together.Don't glue the clothespins to the mattress.
Step 19: Allow the glue to dry completely.
It will take a few hours to set up.
Step 20: The patch needs to be applied with a layer of glue.
Step 21: Following the instructions on your repair kit, apply the vinyl patch to the rubber cement.
Step 22: Allow the glue to dry.
It's a good bet that the Drying times will be between 6 and 8 hours.
Step 23: Assess the damage.
Is it a hole or a crack?A hole is easier to fix than a crack.You might need to order a new valve from the air mattress manufacturer if there is a crack.This method may not work in the long run.You will need to buy a new mattress if the valve is severely damaged.
Step 24: Plug the hole by filling it with rubber cement.
Step 25: The valve needs to be sealed.
If the valve is leaking air, you can line the stem with a thin piece of plastic to help seal it.
Step 26: The valve needs to be replaced.
If the valve is damaged beyond repair, replace it with a new one from the manufacturer.
Step 27: Re-inflate the mattress.
Step 28: Put a weight on the mattress.
Step 29: There are leaks and you should listen for them.
You should pay attention to the areas you repaired.The soap water detection method could be used.Wait a while and check again.