Easy Methods for Fixing a Leaking Air Mattress

2023-01-11 00:02:09 - Patrick Gruce Patrick Gruce is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the tech and media industries, offering unique insights on the intersection of technology, media, and legal/regulatory issues through his background in journalism and law.
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You can sleep more soundly on an air mattress if you know how to maintain its air pressure.

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Is your air mattress flat after only a few minutes of use? Then you most certainly are dealing with a tear or hole on the exterior. Finding and fixing the leak in a mattress is a lot less work than buying a new one, so you can sleep soundly without wasting money. Find out where the leak is coming from and how to fix it using a repair kit or some simple tools you probably already have lying around the house.

  • Inflate the mattress and listen for a faint hissing noise to pinpoint the source of the leak. Also, you can check for a leak by running your hand over the mattress.
  • Cover the damage with a vinyl patch and either rubber cement or the adhesive backing.
  • If your air mattress has a small hole and you're worried about it deflating during the night, you can temporarily fix it with duct tape or hot glue.
  1. 1

    It is recommended to fully inflate the air mattress before checking for leaks. Inflate your mattress with the air pump provided. Maintain a puffed-up mattress throughout your look for the dripping spot. There will still be enough air in the mattress for you to locate the source of the leak. [1]
    • Before continuing your search, make sure the mattress is properly inflated by blowing into it. When the air pressure within the mattress is high, the leak becomes more apparent.
  2. 2

    Inspect the air valve for damage or a possible leak. Place your hand over the opening and check for air leakage. Verify that there is no air leaking in through the valve stem after it has been closed. Then, look for tears or holes in the seams near the valve stem and repair them if necessary. If the valves themselves show no signs of wear, the source of the leak must be elsewhere. [2]

    • A damaged valve means you should replace the entire mattress rather than try to fix it.

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  3. 3

    If you suspect a leak in your mattress, turn it on its side and look for it. Most air mattresses will have a hole or puncture in the bottom where something sharp from the floor poked through. If you want to check the bottom of your mattress, turn it on its side and lean it against a wall. [3]

  4. 4

    Pay attention to any hissing coming from under your bed. Placing the mattress on its side, lean it against a wall. Listen from a distance of two to three inches (five to 1–7 Move your head slowly across the entire surface of your mattress while holding it a few inches (6 cm) Prior to inspecting the top and sides, you should make sure the air mattress is completely inflated by starting at the bottom. Examine your mattress closely for the faint hissing sound of air escaping. [4]

    • Something sharp on the ground is likely to puncture or tear your air mattress, so it is there that you will find most of the damage.
  5. 5

    Feel the air escaping by running your hand across the surface. Keep a distance of two inches (five Keep it at least 1 cm (less than 0.39 in. Increase the air pressure coming from the leak by pushing the mattress in with your other hand. Carefully sweep your hand over the whole thing until you feel a constant breeze. [5]

    • Use water on the back of your hand and rub it across your mattress. Since the air being released will cause the water to cool, the leak can be easily identified.
  6. 6

    Check for bubbles by spraying your mattress with soapy water. Make a cleaning spray by filling a spray bottle with water and adding a few drops of dish soap. Start spraying the mattress lightly near the valve and seams with the soapy water. Then, examine both sides of your bed's mattress. Inspect any spots where new bubbles are forming, as this indicates a possible air leak. Once the leak has been located, use a dry towel to remove any remaining soapy water. [6]
    • Clean your mattress in sections, spraying and drying them as you go to reduce the amount of work you have to do later.
  7. 7

    To make the hole more visible, draw a circle around it. Once the air is removed from the mattress, finding the source of the leak will be extremely difficult. If you want to apply a patch to your mattress, it helps to mark the spot with a dot or a circle. [7]

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  1. 1

    Make sure the air is completely out of the mattress. Release air from the mattress by unscrewing the valve. Mattress deflation is accomplished by applying pressure to the top of the bed so that any remaining air is expelled through the valve. [8]

    • When applying a patch to your mattress, do not inflate the mattress first, as this can cause air to get underneath the patch and prevent it from sticking.
  2. 2

    The area around the hole should be smoothed out using 120-grit sandpaper. Put a light hand on the sandpaper and gently rub it on your mattress. To ensure that the patch adheres properly to the mattress, sand away any fuzzy texture from the top of the mattress if the hole is located there. [9]

    • If you press too firmly with the sandpaper, you risk further damaging the mattress material and creating another hole.
    • You probably won't need to go out of your way to find sandpaper because most patch kits already include a tiny bit.
  3. 3

    Use isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the area around the crack. So that no dirt, dust, or debris is hiding in the area around your leak, wet a clean cloth with the isopropyl alcohol and wipe it all away. When you're done, use paper towels to dry the area and then let it air dry for a while. [10]
    • It's possible that the patch won't adhere properly if you try to apply it while your mattress is still wet.
  4. 4

    Remove a 2 x 1 inch (3 x 25 mm) section and cut it out. 5 cm) past the margins of the opening If your air mattress has a hole, you should equip yourself with a vinyl patch kit. Cut the patch to size using scissors, and place it over the damage. If you want to reduce the likelihood of peeling from the patch in the future, round off the edges. [11]
    • In the absence of a repair kit, a piece of sturdy plastic, like a vinyl shower liner, can be cut and used as a makeshift patch.
  5. 5

    Use the adhesive backing of the patch or rubber cement to attach it to the mattress. To apply an adhesive patch, remove the backing paper and place it over the damaged area. Spread rubber cement on the back of the patch and around the hole if it doesn't already have an adhesive. Be sure the patch makes good contact with your mattress by pressing down firmly. [12]

    • Since each patch kit is unique, it's important to follow the instructions that came with your specific kit.
    • Avoid getting any adhesive on your mattress or anywhere else. If you don't, your mattress may become sticky and develop new tears.
  6. 6

    Install a 4 kiloton (10 lb) Have someone put a 5 pound (2. While the patch is drying, press down on it with an exercise weight or a few thick, flat books. Keep your mattress deflated while the adhesive dries so that the hole can be properly sealed. [13]

    • The patch may come loose if you inflate the mattress too soon.
  7. 7

    First, you need to blow up the mattress and look for any holes. To fully inflate your mattress, use your air pump. The next step is to put your ear next to the patch and check for air leaks. If the air mattress is not needed for sleeping, leave it inflated overnight and check it in the morning to make sure no air has leaked out. [14]

    • Perhaps the patch did not adhere completely if there is still air escaping from it. If the tear is too large to fix with a patch, it's time to replace the air mattress.

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  1. 1

    Duct tape can be used as a temporary patch for any damage. Once you've located the source of the leak, snip a 2-inch (5 cm) long piece of duct tape. 5 cm) than the size of the rip or hole Compress the tape over the hole so that there are no bumps or creases. Protect the newly installed strip by adhering four additional pieces of duct tape along its outer edges. [15]

    • It's true that after a few times of using duct tape to inflate your mattress, the adhesive will start to wear down, but at least your mattress will maintain its shape for a few nights of sleep.
    • Adding more duct tape over the patched-up hole may help if air continues to escape from your air mattress after you've done everything you can to stop the leak.
  2. 2

    Use a hot glue gun to mend a seam that has come apart on your mattress. While the air is being sucked out of your mattress, preheat your glue gun on low. You should flatten the ripped section of your mattress on the floor. A bead of hot glue should then be run along the rip's edges. Once you've waited 5-10 minutes for the glue to dry, you can reinflate your mattress. [16]

    • After inflating your mattress multiple times, the hot glue will crack and break down, so you should patch it as soon as possible.
    • You shouldn't put the glue gun's hot tip on the mattress, as this could melt the fabric or create another hole.
    • Caution: putting glue on your mattress or making your own patch could render your warranty null and void. Before attempting a do-it-yourself fix, check the warranty to see if you are covered for replacements.
  3. 3

    Just a drop of super glue can fix a tiny crack. Squeeze a tiny amount of super glue onto the hole while the mattress is deflated, spreading it out to cover the area completely. Be careful that the super glue doesn't seep into the mattress and cause more damage. Don't sleep on your mattress for at least 4 hours while the glue dries. [17]

    • Super glue is ideal for repairing tiny nicks and tears. Larger holes require more permanent solutions, such as duct tape or an actual patch.
  4. 4

    Seal the hole with a piece of Flex Seal Tape. Make sure the circle of Flex Tape you cut out covers the entire area of the leak plus an additional two centimeters. 5 cm) Take the air out of your mattress and iron out any creases. Then, you can simply remove the Flex Tape's backing and press it firmly onto your bed. Wait 15 minutes after applying Flex Tape to your mattress before attempting to inflate it again. [18]

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Question New
  • Question

    The manufacturer of my air mattress only included glue patches. Glue, either silicon or PVC, is specified in the directions. Should I use Gorilla Glue?

    Community Answer

    The most common material for air mattresses is PVC sheets; we haven't tried it, but we've heard that Gorilla Glue will adhere to it. If your air mattress is made of rubber, however, you probably won't have any luck.

  • Question

    My air mattress arrived with a patch but no adhesive; what do I do?

    Community Answer

    Because of restrictions on dangerous goods, most air mattresses do not include glue. Glue is something you'll have to buy on your own. What kind of glue is recommended for your mattress may be specified in the patch's instructions.

  • Question

    How do I repair a leaking air mattress along a side seam? Not only was the mattress only $50, but the manufacturer's website was broken.

    Community Answer

    When damaged, PVC mattresses can be fixed with PVC pipe cleaner and cement. The same stuff you can find in the plumbing sections of Home Depot, ACE Hardware, and Lowe's Because the cement is a solvent, it will permanently fuse the patch to the mattress after a few hours. PVC seats, toys, and other similar items can be glued together with the cement as well. To ensure the best possible bond when using the cement, you must first use the cleaner, which cleans and prepares the plastic. Tightening the lid and storing the container upside down will prevent the cement from drying out.

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Hunter Rising

Hunter Rising, a wikiHow writer, collaborated on this piece. Author and Los Angeles resident Hunter Rising is part of the wikiHow team of staff writers. He has been contributing to and working with wikiHow for over three years. Hunter graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Stout with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Entertainment Design and a Minor in English Writing. To date, there have been 1,050,595 views of this article.

Co-authors: 10

Updated: Wednesday, November 8th, 2022

Views:  1,050,595

Categories: Mattresses

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