How to Repair a Sleeping Pad: Do It Like a Pro

If you have a sleeping pad and you find that you’re already pressed up against the hard and cold ground, maybe it’s now the best time to repair it with your patch kit. Most fixes are very easy and simple. All you need to do is to prepare your repair supplies, find the hole, clean it, and apply the patch.

In this post, we will go in detail on how to apply a patch to your sleeping pad at home. It should also be noted that the instructions we have provided in the succeeding sections would mostly work on all types of inflatable sleeping pads. If you’re packing repair supplies, then you surely can apply these same steps even when you’re out. If your sleeping pad comes with a patch kit, you may use it and simply follow the instructions you can in the kit.

Gathering your Repair Supplies

If you’ve already identified where the hole or leak is, then your supply list would only include rubbing alcohol, seam grip, tenacious tape, and scissors. You may also add in your repair kit that comes with adhesive and precut patches.

However, if you’re unsure where the location of the hole or the leak is, then you might want to consider a full repair kit. To be able to determine the location of the leak, you’re going to need a tub full of water, a sponge, mild soap, and a marker.

Pinpointing the Hole Location

Here what you need to do to pinpoint the location of the leak:

  • Fill your tub with water and add the mild soap.
  • Start inflating the sleeping pad.
  • Slightly sponge the water on the surface and wait until tiny bubbles start to appear.
  • Wipe the spot and then mark it.

If you couldn’t find the leak by doing the abovementioned steps, you may need to submerge the sleeping pad. After, squeeze it gently and try to find the location of the leak through the different sections of the sleeping pad.

Preparing the Pad Surface

Here’s what you need to do to prepare the sleeping pad surface:

  • Rinse the surface thoroughly and start deflating the sleeping pad.
  • Dry the patch area.
  • Wipe the area clean using rubbing alcohol.
  • Wait until the alcohol evaporates.

Applying the Patch on the Pad Surface

Here’s what you need to do when applying the patch:

  • Apply some Seam Grip on the leak.
  • Start spreading the Seam Grip, covering a 2-inch circle with the leak at the center.
  • Cut a part of the tenacious tape, ensuring that it perfectly covers the Seam Grip applied section.
  • Trim around the corners of the cut section. Then, put a line of the Seam Grip around the patch’s perimeter.
  • Then, check if the Seam Grip is tacky.
  • Finally, apply the patch firmly.

Once you have attached the patch, let the Seam Grip dry overnight. After, you may now start inflating the sleeping pad and check for further leaks. If there’s none, you may need to leave the sleeping pad inflated overnight. Check in the morning to make sure that no leak is present.

Calling for Professional Help

If all these steps don’t do anything about the leak, then maybe it’s time to call for professional help. You can check with the manufacturer of the sleeping pad and ask if they do repairs. If not, then they should be ready with a suggestion about where to go for such repairs.

If you’ve already tried everything and your sleeping pad still appears damaged – something that is too much for you to take on, you may send it to your repair professionals. Be sure that you have kept the receipts so that you may avail of the warranty. Your manufacturer should be able to repair or if the manufacturer allows, have the sleeping pad replaced – of course at their discretion.

However, keep in mind that some manufacturers only limit the replacement of sleeping pads according to material and manufacturing defects. In some cases, replacements are limited to seam and valve failure. If they find tears and punctures in the sleeping pad, they can repair them for free. However, keep in mind that in some cases, these are all wear and tear scenarios.

Some manufacturers charge at least $20 to repair a sleeping pad. This kind of repair covers around 10 punctures at a time. Sometimes, if the repair professional finds more than 10 punctures in the sleeping pad, they may declare that it’s the end of the sleeping pad’s service life.

When you choose to send your sleeping pad for professional repair, make sure that’s clean. While it doesn’t have to be something to eat on, some complaints from professionals come from sleeping pads that have been extensively used – the terrible kind in which no one is excited to sleep on it. You may need to clean it by inflating the sleeping pad and then wiping it down using a mild soap. After, you may follow it up with a slight rinse and letting it dry out before you ship it to your repair professional.

In some cases, dirty sleeping pads will not be entertained for repair and some would even be sent back along with cleaning instructions. So, make sure that you have cleaned your sleeping pad thoroughly before you have it repaired.

Finally, if you’re sending in the sleeping pad for repairs, make sure that it’s trackable. In case something goes wrong with the shipping, at least you can find out what happened with your package.

Maintaining the Cleanliness of your Sleeping Pad

Keeping your sleeping pad clean is essential if you want it to have a long life of service. For some who are into long-term outdoor camping trips, things including bug dope, body oils and lotions may all contribute to the sleeping pad’s breakdown. In case you didn’t know, all these are factors that destroy the laminates that link the sleeping pad’s internal components to the external fabrics. Using a clean sheet to wipe down your sleeping pad will surely go a long way and it may also help you make the most out of your sleeping pad.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve reached the end of the discussions, we trust that you can now apply this new knowledge and work on the home repairs by yourself. However, if all these seem too much for you to handle, then you may surely send your damaged sleeping pad for professional repair. That would also work if you’re not confident enough to do the repairs on your own.

The post How to Repair a Sleeping Pad: Do It Like a Pro appeared first on Rainy Camping.



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