An air mattress is a great way to accommodate a friend or relative staying over when you have a lack of guest beds. Or maybe you’re going on a camping trip and want to live with a little more luxury than a standard tent on the ground. Having an air mattress can serve a convenient purpose in a number of scenarios.
But what do you do when you find yourself getting the air mattress from the attic, blowing the dust off of the box and filling it up only to find that there is a slow deflate? Follow these steps and finding the leak and repairing it can be made simple.
Finding the Leak
When inspecting an air mattress for a leak, you want to make sure that your air mattress is completely full. If you have a large leak, the air loss may be quite apparent. If it’s a small leak, it may take some investigating to find the source. This is when you’ll have to take action to target the problem and follow the appropriate steps to resolve it.
Once the mattress is full, you’ll need to add weight to it, either by lying on it or by adding an object(s) with sufficient mass to discover the issue. It will sink slightly by the added weight as the air shifts to accommodate the pressure, but a continual sink will let you know that you have a bigger issue.
When it’s been determined that air is escaping from the mattress, you’ll want to inspect all sides of the air mattress, paying particular attention to the bottom and the sides as often times these areas will be the location of your leak. Being on or near the ground, it is possible that the mattress was punctured by some small object from the floor. When inspecting your mattress, ensure that the area your working in is clean and clear of small objects that can cause further damage.
Make sure that you’re examining the mattress with little-to-no sound. As the air exits the mattress, it may be possible to hear where the leak is coming from.
You can also move your hand around the surface of the air mattress. You may be able to feel where the leak is coming from.
Warranty?
Once you’ve found where the leak is coming from, there are a few different ways to proceed. The first thing you’ll want to do is check with the manufacturer to see if it is under warranty. They may allow you to send in the mattress for repair, or they may even replace it entirely. Any action of self-repair may void the warranty, so do your research before you attempt any type of repair yourself.
Without means of replacement or repair through the warranty, check the box or packing materials that came with the product. Many manufacturers include patches for self-repair, and this can be a simple fix.
If patches aren’t included, you can purchase a repair kit. They aren’t very expensive, and you’ll need to purchase an adhesive for it either way since this isn’t typically included with an air mattress.
Repairing the Leak
Once you’ve found the leak, mark it with a permanent marker, so it is easy to identify during the patching process.
Completely deflate the air mattress, and use some light sandpaper to remove any debris or loose fabric. Softly move the sandpaper back and forth making sure not to puncture it further.
Clean it was a solution of water and dish soap to ensure a solid seal between the patch and the air mattress. Wipe up the remaining water and let it sit for an hour to make certain that it is adequately dry.
Apply the adhesive directly around the marked area, then press the patch firmly to the area with direct pressure to ensure a firm seal. Allow two hours to dry before inflating the air mattress.
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Conclusion
Some leaks are harder to find than others. Be persistent. Look around the entire air mattress following the directions as instructed, and you will eventually find your leak. If it is under warranty follow the protocol to get your repair done. If your air mattress comes with patches, use them.
If you have to purchase a patch kit, which shouldn’t be very expensive, follow the instructions with the specific kit, using the directions above as guidance. This should allow you to correct the leak and have your air mattress functional as it should be.
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Last Update: 2024-04-23 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
