A deflated air mattress is the best way to get a good night's sleep.You don't have to throw out your mattress when it leaks.A cheap patch kit and household objects can be used to find and patch a leaking air mattress.
Step 1: Air mattresses lose air naturally.
If you want to remove the covers from your mattress, be aware that it won't hold air indefinitely.If you have a leak, you will have to re-inflate your mattress.Cold air can cause your mattress to shrink.As the house cools down at night, your air mattress will probably change a bit.It is possible to prevent this problem with a space heater by the mattress.After they are bought, air mattresses need to stretch.They will adapt to the first few times you inflate them.
Step 2: To test for a leak, inflate the air mattress.
If it is deflated after a few minutes, you have a leak.The mattress should not sink more than 1-2 inches under your weight after you blow it up.If you don't know if there is a leak, you can inflate your mattress and put weight on it.You have a leak if it is more than a little deflated in the morning.As you search for the leak, inflate the mattress.Before you start searching again, reinflate the mattress if you feel it is becoming soft.The higher the air pressure inside the mattress, the harder the leak will be.
Step 3: The valve is in the air.
You can feel the escaping air by holding your hand over the valve.It is located next to the air pump and looks like a plug that you can use to deflate the mattress.It is difficult to repair the valve at home.Call the manufacturer if your valve is malfunctioning.
Step 4: Stand the mattress on its side in a quiet room and look for leaks.
After people accidentally leave things under the bed, the majority of punctures and leaks occur on the bottom of the air mattress.Make sure the bed is inflated and then place the mattress on its side to look at the bottom.To find leaks, you need enough room to flip, turn, and move around the mattress.
Step 5: If you want to hear hissing sounds, place your ear close to the mattress.
Keeping your ear close to the mattress will allow you to hear the escaping air.If you find the leak, it will sound like a hissing noise, and if you don't find anything, try the sides and front.
Step 6: If you can't find something, rub the back of your hand.
The air coming out of the mattress will make your hand feel cooler.To find small leaks, you should run your hand along the entire surface of the mattress.Your lips are some of the most sensitive parts of your body, so you can use them to sense escaping air.
Step 7: If you can't find the leak, use soapy water to look for bubbles.
One of the best ways to find a leak is by using soapy water.It works like a child blowing bubbles, with the air mattress blowing into the hole, exposing the leak.To do that, fill a small bucket with water and a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap.Using a sponge, wipe down the mattress with soapy water.Check the seams, underside, and top after starting near the valve.You have found your leak when you see bubbles forming.You can wipe the soap away with a sponge.
Step 8: You can circle the leak with a pen or sharpie.
It will be hard to find the leak when the mattress is deflated.Make a note of where the leak is so that you can easily fix it.If you used the soapy water method, mark the leak with a towel and quickly dry the area.
Step 9: The mattress needs to be dried completely.
Let the air out of the mattress after you found and marked your hole.If you used the soapy water method to find the leak, pat the mattress dry with a towel and leave it in the sun for at least 1-2 hours before returning to it.
Step 10: Purchase a patch kit.
The camping section is where almost every outdoor store has these.They are cheap sets that are used for tents, bike tires, and air mattresses.If the hole is small, a tire patch made for cycling should work.You can find dedicated air mattress repair kits online, such as the Thermarest Kit, Tear-Aid, and the Sevylor Repair Patch.The patch kit needs to work on plastic or vinyl.
Step 11: Completely deflate the mattress.
You don't want any air getting under your patch and ruining the glue, so let all the air out the mattress.
Step 12: Sand away any soft felt near your hole.
If your hole is on the top side of the mattress, you will need to remove the soft covering to make the patch stick.Remove the felt coating with a wire brush or a piece of paper.The soft coating is referred to as flocking by some mattress makers.
Step 13: It's a good idea to clean and dry the leak area.
To clean off the leaking area, use soapy water or a little alcohol, and make sure there is no dust, dirt, or debris around the hole.Before you continue, dry it completely.
Step 14: Cut out a bigger patch than your hole.
You want enough room to cover the leak, so cut your patch so it fits over the hole with a centimeter or more of the patch around every side.If your patches are pre-cut, use one that has 1-2 centimeters of space around the hole.
Step 15: The patch should be applied according to the directions.
You can either apply the patch like a sticker or use special glue to attach it.Follow the instructions and apply your patch smoothly.If it covers the leak completely it will work, and taking it off and reapplying will make it less sticky.
Step 16: Press down on the patch with force.
To make sure your patch is firmly attached, apply pressure to it for 30 seconds or more.To flatten the patch against the mattress, use the heel of your hand, or a rolling pin.
Step 17: Allow the glue to dry for a few hours.
It can be helpful to place a flat object on top of the patch to keep the pressure on it.Don't try to inflate your mattress until the glue is dry.
Step 18: Check the mattress for leaks.
You can listen for escaping air by placing your ear next to the patch.Leave the mattress inflated overnight and come back in the morning to make sure no more air is escaping.
Step 19: It's a good idea to know that some fixes may void your warranty.
You can either send the mattress back to the manufacturer for repair or use patch kits.If you make your own patches, you can lose your warranty on the mattress.Duct tape can be used to fix something.The glue on duct tape is not made to permanently bind to plastic, and it will eventually dry out and fall off.Hot glue shouldn't be used to fix a leak.Most of the time hot glue will melt part of your air mattress and make the hole bigger.
Step 20: If the leak is on the top of the mattress, you should sand it away.
This fuzz will prevent your glue or patches from binding around the leak, which will cause it to fall off shortly after applying.You can lightly scrub away the felt coating with a wire brush or some other tool.
Step 21: To make a shower curtain, cut out a square of plastic.
You can still make a patch from things around the house if you don't have a professional patch.Tarps and shower curtains are easy to cut.Make sure your square is big enough to cover the leak, with at least one extra centimeter on every side.
Step 22: Attach the patch with strong glue.
Put a generous amount of glue on the leak.Don't try this with your child's craft glue.You need a strong, reliable glue to adhere your patch.
Step 23: Hold your patch in the glue.
Press the patch into the glue with force.Use your fingers to smooth out the patch and wipe away any glue around the edges.
Step 24: You can place a heavy object on the patch and come back in 8 hours.
Place heavy objects on top of the patch to keep the pressure up as it dries.The patch should be firmly on the mattress when you return.