Inflate the mattress, remove all sources of noise and listen carefully. Damage in the mattress can be indicated by a slight whistling sound. To be sure, the noisy part can be immersed in water: small bubbles will indicate the location of the puncture.
If the previous method did not help, it’s time to feel like a real barber. In a container, whisk water with detergent and apply thick soap suds to the surface of the mattress with a brush. Foam will begin to bubble at the puncture sites.
Once you have found the damage, trace it with a pen or chalk so you don't lose it.
2. Prepare the surface
matrasguru.ru Before you begin, release all the air from the mattress. Clean the area around the puncture from dust and dirt, degrease the surface with gasoline or alcohol. If you need to patch a velor or flock-covered mattress, it is important to remove lint using acetone or fine-grit sandpaper before applying the patch.
3. Prepare the patch
allegroimg.com Sometimes special repair kits are included with the mattress. If there is none, take pieces of thin rubber from a car inner tube repair kit or cut a child's rubber toy. The patch should correspond to the size of the puncture with indentations of 2–3 cm and be oval or round shape. Before use, degrease its surface with gasoline or alcohol.
4. Seal the air mattress
wlooks.ru How to seal a hole in a mattress? Suitable glue for PVC, universal “Moment” or polyurethane shoe glue.
How to do it? We already have a mattress ready for repair and a grease-free patch cut to size. Now apply even layer glue onto the mattress and patch, wait 5 minutes for the glue to set a little, and combine them. For greater effect, you can put a load on the gluing site for a day.
What to do if you need to seal a mattress along the seams
If the mattress is torn along the seam, the patch placed on outside, may not help. In this case, it makes sense to seal the mattress from the inside. To do this, use your hands or a ruler to pull the damaged area through the valve hole. Then glue the patch (according to the instructions from the previous paragraph) to inside mattress. You can turn the mattress out and use it as usual within 24 hours after the glue has completely dried.
How to avoid new damage
To be repaired inflatable mattress made you happy for as long as possible, follow the following simple rules.
- Before placing the mattress on the floor, grass or sand, inspect the surface for sharp objects.
- Do not play on the mattress with pets: they may puncture it with their claws or teeth.
- Do not drag the mattress across the floor if people are lying on it: the seams may come apart.
A PVC mattress is convenient to use at home and outdoors. It does not take up much space when deflated and creates comfortable conditions for sleeping. You can choose a mattress according to your taste: high, narrow, double, swimming, with a bright pattern. However, any inflatable product has a “weak point” - the fragility of the material. You can repair a children's swimming pillow and an inflatable sleeping mattress on your own, knowing about the main nuances of the repair.
What causes punctures and how to avoid them
The more complex the configuration, the greater the likelihood of damage to the mattress. For example, the problem of punctures and cracks is familiar to owners of mattresses with cup holders. The pressure created by the air and the body has a bad effect on the internal partitions. However, ordinary rectangular mattresses are also subject to mechanical stress. Among the main reasons for a puncture are:
- pet actions– cats and dogs easily bite through fabric and tear the material with sharp claws;
- excess air– one of the main reasons why a mattress comes apart at the seams;
- uneven surface– the bottom is often damaged by branches, straw, pine cones, and sharp stones;
- carelessness of use– the upper part is often damaged metal objects on the body and clothes of the owners: sharp hairpins, rings, accessories;
- pranks of children - sudden jumps and movements on the mattress increase internal pressure, which can lead to rupture of seams;
- improper storage– due to being folded for a long time cracks appear on bends and creases (it is better to store it in the form of a roll);
- careless care - before deflating and rolling up the mattress, you should clear the surface of grass, branches, debris, and dry the surface well.
To prevent possible deformation of the mattress, you should treat it with care, especially in hiking conditions. Before inflating and laying the product on the grass, pine needles and sticks in the forest, it is necessary to inspect and clear the surface of the ground. It is recommended to place blankets and blankets under the mattress. It is better not to leave the product in an inflated state in the sun. You should not inflate the mattress all the way, fall on it from a running start, or jump on the surface.
How to look for a hole
The first step is to find the hole in the air mattress. Sometimes the puncture is visible to the naked eye, but most often the mattress deflates in an inconspicuous place. One small hole with a diameter of a millimeter can deflate a mattress in a couple of hours. It is almost impossible to find a small hole with the naked eye. If after an external examination the defect is not found, you should resort to one of the methods for identifying the hole.
Aurally
- Inflate the mattress as much as possible.
- Eliminate all sources of noise.
- Listen to the sound.
- Move towards the hiss, trying to catch it with your lips, cheek or wet hand stream of air.
- Circle the discovered puncture with chalk or stick a piece of tape.
Using water
- Pour cold water into the bath.
- Inflate the mattress tightly.
- Immerse different parts of the product in water, look closely: air should come out at the cut site.
- Mark the damage with a pen.
At home, this method is used to check the integrity of the side walls of a small narrow mattress. To check the bottom and top, you will need an open reservoir in which you need to “drown” the product. It's easier to do this in the pool.
Powder
- Inflate the mattress.
- Sprinkle the surface thickly with flour, starch, talcum powder or other dry powder.
- Take a close look: the escaping air blows away the “powder.”
- Examine all sides of the mattress, circle the punctures with a pen.
- Shake and vacuum the product.
Soapy solution
- Pour water into a small container.
- Add liquid soap, shampoo, dishwashing detergent - to choose from.
- Apply the foam solution to the surface of the mattress with a sponge or brush.
- Mark the place where the bubbles come out with a pen.
Should Special attention turn to the valve. Often the source of the air leak is there. The valve may be clogged and does not seal tightly to the surface. The stitches around it may tear. In the end, the valve itself may be defective and not close tightly. All this is found out in the same ways - by ear, with a soap solution or without water (using powder, shaving foam).
Preparing materials for repairs
The easiest way is to seal the hole with the repair kit that comes with the inflatable product. Usually the kit consists of glue suitable for the material and a piece of patch. “Native” glue is stored for two to three years, so if the material for patches is missing or has run out, but the glue remains, do not throw it away.
In addition to the patch and glue, you will also need:
- fine-grained sandpaper or wide nail file;
- scissors;
- warm water and sponge;
- dry rag or cotton pad for wiping;
- rolling pin, flat log, rolling can;
- press – sports weight, iron, full meeting works of Dostoevsky;
- degreaser - nail polish remover, alcohol or refined gasoline.
If for some reason the repair kit is not available, it can be replaced with improvised means - rubber patches and tire glue. The instructions for repairing damage are universal for all cases of sealing - with a repair kit or with independently selected means, without a “original” repair kit.
Seal the hole
When choosing which glue to glue an air mattress for sleeping or swimming, you should be guided by the material from which a particular product is made. Such recommendations are usually written on a tube of glue. Remember that not all adhesives are created equal. Some binders will not adhere to the surface of a mattress with a patch, while others (for example, superglue) will melt the structure of the product. Therefore, it is important to read the composition and their purpose in advance.
To seal punctures, it is recommended to use types of “rubber” glue. Any product contains aggressive substances, so mattress repairs should be carried out in a well-ventilated room, away from open fire. As a rule, an adhesive layer is applied to both parts. The table presents the application features in more detail.
Table - Features of using glue from different manufacturers
| Glue | Methods of application |
|---|---|
| Universal “Moment-Crystal” or “Second” | – After application to the surface, dry for 10 minutes; – the parts are pressed under pressure and held for 20 seconds; – the product is used within a day |
| "Uran" for PVC boats | – After application, it dries for 2 minutes; – after tightly combining the parts, it remains under pressure for 6 hours; – after drying, the adhesive layers are heated with a hairdryer (80°C, 3 minutes), followed by gluing the parts for 60 seconds; – the mattress is used after 24 hours |
| "Desmokol" or any other polyurethane shoe glue | – Dry on 2 surfaces for 10 minutes; – reapply and dry for 20-40 minutes; – warms up with a hairdryer for 2 minutes; – glues under pressure for 20 seconds; – left to dry for 48 hours |
| Rubber glue | – After application, dry for 15 minutes; – glues under strong pressure for 20 seconds; – the product is left for a day under pressure |
| "Intex" - related products from famous manufacturer swimming pools, inflatable furniture, pillows | – Both surfaces are coated; – the patch is pressed tightly and held for several seconds; – left for 12 hours for gluing |
There should not be too much glue on the surfaces. The substance should be distributed evenly, drying for a sufficient amount of time to form a viscous coating. To ensure sufficient pressure during gluing, it is recommended to forcefully roll the can or rolling pin over the surface. This will help get rid of air between the layers and excess glue residue, which is then removed with a cotton swab.
Putting on a patch
When answering the question of what material is best to seal an air mattress with, it is logical to assume that “native” PVC will be the most reliable. Unfortunately, not everyone can find the polyvinyl chloride from which the mattress is made. In this case, you should select suitable pieces of rubber. Suitable patches:
- material from a repair kit for inflatable tubes or PVC boats;
- part of the rubber chamber;
- Swim cap;
- household gloves;
- vinyl film (sticker);
- children's swimming circle;
- balloon;
- old rubber toy;
- cotton fabric, impregnated rubber glue and dried.
You should cut an oval or round patch so that its edges are within a radius of 1.5-3 cm from the hole. A square patch will cling to the edges and corners, making it easier to tear off. The small patch will most likely not be able to withstand the air pressure when you subsequently use the mattress and will come off. Be sure to try on the patch before gluing it.
How to seal an air mattress: 3 techniques
Repairing an air mattress with your own hands is a troublesome and painstaking task, but it can be done at home or outdoors. It is important to prepare all the necessary materials and tools in advance, as well as clearly think through an action plan. The material of the mattress, its configuration and the type of hole should be taken into account. Most likely, you won’t be able to seal a hole in a mattress in 5 minutes. There is no need to rush if you want to eliminate the defect for a long time and never return to it. It should not be forgotten that the glue sets completely only after a day. Therefore, you cannot use the mattress immediately after repair.
At the puncture site
Peculiarities. The easiest way to glue a rubber air mattress is on the smooth side, gluing the bottom and sides.
Procedure
- Deflate the mattress.
- Wash the puncture site, remove dust, and dry.
- Degrease with alcohol, white spirit, or lighter gasoline.
- Clean the surface sandpaper or a nail file.
- Apply glue to both surfaces, follow the instructions.
- Press and leave for 12-24 hours.
- Inflate the mattress and evaluate the effectiveness of the repair.
Along the seam
Peculiarities. It is more difficult to glue a hole at the junction of the edges of the seam. The task is complicated by the fact that under air pressure the patch in this place may not withstand it and burst. It is better to seal such defects from the inside.
Procedure
- Unscrew the valve until the hole is wide enough.
- Turn out the punctured area through the hole.
- Degrease and clean.
- Glue the patch in accordance with the glue used.
- Leave for a day.
- Turn out and inflate the mattress to check.
From the velor side
Peculiarities. To properly seal an air mattress on the velor side, you first need to clean the pile. On “velvet” the glue does not adhere well, so even a patch glued according to the rules most likely will not stick. In this case, you will need a solvent and sandpaper.
Procedure
- Release the air from the mattress.
- Remove the layer of lint with acetone or alcohol, carefully treating the puncture site with a moistened cotton pad.
- Wipe off the moisture along with the lint with a dry cloth.
- If necessary, degrease the surface.
- Clean with sandpaper.
- Apply the patch according to the instructions.
- Leave for 12-24 hours.
If you need to fix a puncture urgently, but you don’t have it at hand necessary materials and tools, then you can temporarily solve the problem using thick tape, electrical tape or adhesive tape on a roll. You can make such a temporary patch directly on an inflated mattress. The air will still leave, but slowly enough, so you will still be able to spend the night. It should be remembered that adhesive tape and tape do not stick well to a fleecy surface.
Methods without a patch
It is possible to repair an air mattress without a patch using heat or special adhesives that do not require material to cover the puncture. It is proposed to use three effective methods.
- "Liquid patch". Special product helps cope with punctures and damage up to 3 cm in diameter. The product has a fairly large color scheme, which allows you to choose the shade to match your mattress. Apply the patch in liquid form to a smooth, degreased and cleaned surface in an even layer. You should cover an area wider than the puncture site by a couple of centimeters on all sides. After drying (ten minutes), apply a second layer and leave for a day.
- Warming up high temperature . The method is well suited for fastening seams. Also pull out the break point through the valve hole, clean and degrease. Having aligned the torn edges, place it on a flat surface and cover with newspaper sheets. Gently run the iron preheated to medium temperature several times. Cool the structure, remove the newspaper and turn the mattress inside out.
- Valve repair. Often the problem lies in the valve. It can be repaired without glue, using abrasive and silicone grease. First, unscrew and clean the valve. Disconnect the rubber gasket and go over the end of the valve with sandpaper. Lubricate with silicone grease, insert the gasket and screw the structure back. Be sure to inflate the product to check the operation of the valve. If air is still passing through, contact support.
Most often, punctures occur in nature, therefore, in order not to heat the edges of the cut over an open fire, risking the integrity of the product, it is recommended to stock up on a repair kit. A tube of glue and pieces of PVC will not take up much space in your backpack. It is also recommended to sew a special cover from durable fabric for a mattress in an inflated state.
Methods that describe in detail how to seal a hole in an air mattress will help restore the integrity of the PVC product. In order not to have to resort to them often, you should follow the recommendations for the care and storage of your sleeping place. It is better not to try to fix large punctures (3-5 cm in diameter) on your own, but to contact a specialist. They can help in service center or in a shoe workshop.
Air mattresses (beds) are convenient when you need to quickly organize temporary sleeping area. They are cheap and available different sizes, shapes and colors. Most modern air mattresses are made from soft, thin sheets of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Their most common problem is air leakage through small damage (holes) that spontaneously forms during normal operation; in other words, the mattress deflates.
For such cases, large manufacturers of air mattresses offer their own repair kits (repair kits), consisting of special PVC glue and several patches. Such a repair kit can be recommended for purchase immediately (along with the mattress), since sooner or later it will definitely come in handy.
If you don’t have a branded repair kit at hand, you can use improvised means.
To seal an air mattress you need:
- Soapy water.
- Glue "Moment universal".
- Degreaser (acetone or gasoline).
- Pieces of thin rubber.
Transparent glue will help eliminate flaws in its application.
In the car camera repair kit you can find ready-made patches of suitable sizes. It was experimentally found that its glue is not suitable for gluing PVC.
The first thing to do is to look for any damage on the mattress from which air is escaping. To do this, prepare soapy water, shake it until a rich foam forms. Having inflated the mattress tightly, we begin to slowly and consistently apply foam with a brush to its entire surface. An inflating bubble is evidence of an air leak. As a rule, the holes are very small, and in order not to lose sight of them, it is better to immediately circle the problem area with a marker.
“Bubble bath” dissolved in water allows you to quickly get a lot of foam.
The air escaping from the mattress inflates the bubble.
The holes are usually very small, and most often occur in the places where the internal connectors of the mattress are attached.
On a flocked surface it is even more difficult to see the hole.
After all the damage has been localized, we proceed directly to sealing the mattress, having previously expelled the air from it. We degrease the area where the patch is applied, as well as the patch itself. If the damage is on the top flocked surface, the flock must first be removed using acetone.
Degreasing (photo above) and removing flock using acetone.
Apply glue to both surfaces (mattress and patch) in an even layer of moderate thickness. We take a five-minute pause, apply the patch and press it firmly to the damaged area. It makes sense to press down the patch with some kind of weight for up to 24 hours.
Applying glue.
Applying a patch.
What and how to seal an air mattress at home? Today, inflatable items made of PVC are in great demand. This mattress is a very profitable purchase. It can be used on vacation. It is convenient to sunbathe, sleep, and swim in ponds. Homes are another sleeping place for unexpected guests. The mattress is convenient for storage and transportation. Easy to assemble, takes up little space. The shelf life of such a product depends on the quality and use. Over time, the mattress may develop cracks and punctures. Fix it, so the right thing on the farm, you can do it yourself at home. Before you begin repairs, you need to find the location of the puncture or crack. How to do it?
Having so many advantages, this product has a big disadvantage. It can tear quickly.
- The first punctures and cracks most quickly appear on the partitions and seams of the mattress. This happens when inflated.
- The valve is actively involved in inflation and deflation. It quickly fails and begins to spontaneously release air.
- If you don’t pay attention to where we lay out the mattress and on what surface. The lower part of the mattress is also often punctured
- During one run on the mattress, pets can snag it and tear it with their claws.
Locate the leak
In order to detect the location of the leak, you need to carry out a thorough, visual inspection products.
- First, we rule out a valve malfunction. Place your hand near the valve, if you feel or hear air coming out, that means it's the problem.
- Inflate the mattress and lower it into the water. For this you need a pool or some kind of pond. You won't be able to do this in the bathroom.
- Apply soap solution to suspected damage. The foam will begin to bubble at the puncture site. This area should be outlined with a marker or felt-tip pen of a contrasting color.
- Release the air from the mattress, pour five liters of water and any detergent into it. Then inflate the mattress. Water will begin to flow out from the damaged areas with a slight hiss.
- And one last thing. We inflate the product. Apply water to its surface with a spray bottle. Apply tape to the moistened area. Gently smooth it out. We wait. An air bubble will inflate at the puncture site.
Once you have found the cause, you can begin repairs. If the problem is in the valve, you need to try to clean it from dust and dirt. The valve may need to be lubricated with silicone grease. This method will help if the valve is not damaged. In case of serious damage, you need to replace it, or seek help from professionals.
If you purchased your mattress in a special store, then the administration can accommodate you and repair the product at home. You need to contact a specialist if the cracks are more than 5 cm or are torn internal partitions. You can't handle this on your own.
Seal holes, cracks, cuts
Before you begin, make sure the mattress is dry. Prepare required material for gluing. What to glue with?
- Rubber adhesive made from natural rubber “Discamol”.
- Super glue "Moment Rubber" - for all types of rubber products.
- Glue "Uranus".
- Product for elastic rubber 88-SA-B.
- Set of the company "Intex". It includes glue and patch material.
- Scissors.
- Solvent or acetone.
- Glue brush.
The packaging with glue must have the following inscription: the glue for rubber is moisture resistant. There must be glue room temperature. Stir thoroughly before use. Some novice masters think than more glue, all the better. But this is not true. The glue is applied in a thin layer.
You can also purchase a special set with patches for rubber products. If you have not purchased such a kit, you can cut it yourself from a piece of elastic rubber.
In order to appearance the product has not deteriorated, you can seal the patch from the inside. The defective part is pulled out through the valve hole. You don't need a lot of glue. Apply to the patch and press to the surface. Allow to dry for about 12 hours.
Another reconstruction opportunity. Treat the damaged area and patch with sandpaper and alcohol. Then we select the size of the patch. The patch must be larger than the damage itself. Lubricate with glue, wait 10 minutes, and then join the patch and mattress. Squeeze tightly. It is advisable to place something heavy on the surface of the patch and leave it for 24 hours. To dry, you can turn on a hairdryer, but the air should be cool or warm.
When there are several holes you need to glue them together step by step. Wait until the previous hole is glued together and only then take on the next one.
Since the glue is toxic, it is better to carry out all work in the yard of the house, or in non-residential premises. While working, try not to inhale glue fumes. It is best to wear a construction mask - a respirator. After using the glue, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
Seal a hole in a velor mattress
If you find a hole in a velor surface, first of all, you need to remove all the lint from the surface. Then degrease with thinner, nail polish remover, or alcohol. You will end up with a small bald patch that needs to be treated again with a solvent. Thoroughly remove any remaining lint with a knife. Let it dry.
Next, carefully apply thin layer glue onto the surface of the hole and a previously prepared patch. Let the glue dry. After 10-15 minutes we repeat the procedure. Again pause for 5 minutes. Then we start gluing. Now press the surfaces to be glued and hold them a little. Leave for about a day until completely dry.
After 24 hours, we inflate and check the quality of work. If air still comes out at the hole, repeat the procedure. Making a new patch larger size. Glue it on top of the previous patch.
How to store and use an air mattress
In order for the inflatable product to serve you for a long time, you need to follow some operating rules.
- When spreading the mattress, make sure that the surface is smooth and there are no sharp objects on it.
- Do not place the product near heaters.
- Do not use in low temperatures.
- If you brought the product into the house from the cold, do not unfold it for at least an hour.
- Inflate the mattress to 80-90% percent.
- Such a thing - bad place for pets.
- No need to jump on the mattress - this is not a trampoline.
- Use for washing detergent, without chemical substances and abrasives.
- After washing, dry thoroughly.
- Store the mattress in a rodent-free area.
- The item should be stored deflated.
- If your mattress is intended for sleeping, do not use it for bathing.
You should know that there are air mattresses of different quality. Their tasks are also different. The right choice and proper use will help you significantly extend its service life. Many buyers, when purchasing a mattress for sleeping, use it for hiking or swimming. With such treatment, the shelf life of the product is reduced.
If you notice that your mattress is leaking air, but you are not sure that you can fix it, do not rush to throw it away. Contact an inflatable repair shop. Using special diagnostic equipment, professionals will find punctures and cuts. Will do high-quality repairs quickly and inexpensively. This mattress will serve you for many years to come.
Many people have already appreciated such a useful and versatile product as an air mattress. After all, with this unique item, outdoor recreation will become much more comfortable, and there is no question of how it will become an indispensable product in the event of unexpected guests arriving.
However, with all the positive characteristics, the air mattress has one significant drawback - the very weak strength of the material from which it is made. Therefore, very often the product is subject to slight damage, or simply put, holes appear through which air escapes, as a result of which the mattress loses its functional qualities.
How to seal an air mattress at home
Once a hole has been discovered in an air mattress, they usually begin to seal it.
However, for this process to be very effective, it is necessary in advance prepare following materials and tools:
- felt-tip pen or marker;
- high-quality glue;
- patches;
- acetone or other disinfectant liquid;
- sandpaper;
- brush for applying glue;
- scissors.
In this situation, you need to approach very carefully the right choice glue , which is a functional element in the process of repairing punctures in an air mattress.
As a rule, a special kit consisting of glue and patches is always included with the purchased inflatable product. But if such a repair kit is not at hand, then you should adhere to the following recommendations for choosing adhesive :
- from a wide range you can choose any brand of glue, but only it is desirable that it have the same properties as the surfaces being bonded;
- the best option would be to use the well-known glue "Moment"", with which you can glue any materials, including patches with an inflatable product.
Attention! Very important! To fix holes in an air mattress Do not use so-called “Super Glue” in any way., since it contains components that can render the product unusable!
As for patches, then they are usually can be made from thin rubber, for example from an old bicycle inner tube or a children's toy.
It is important to know! The size of the patch should be more area puncture!
Procedure for eliminating punctures
When the location of the hole is found, the glue is selected correctly and the patches are cut out, you can immediately begin to eliminate the problematic defect on the air mattress.
All puncture sealing process consists of the following sequential actions:
- completely remove air from the inflatable product;
- select a hard horizontal surface for repair and level the area to be treated on it;
Advice! If you are shy in conditions, then you can put a flat wooden board under the puncture site!
- Using fine sandpaper, thoroughly clean the bonded surface of the patch and the puncture site on the mattress;
- protected surfaces are degreased with acetone or solvent;
- Apply a thin layer of glue to the prepared areas and leave for 10–15 minutes;
What can cause punctures in an air mattress?
Here are some of the following factors:
- over inflation leads to the fact that the seams and internal ribs of the product may diverge;
- next to the mattress there may be some sharp household objects, contact with which, as a rule, leads to the appearance of holes;
- pets They can also render an air mattress unusable, since they very often gnaw and scratch all the objects around it.
In this situation, it is absolutely logical to conclude that sooner or later the owners of air mattresses will be faced with a situation where they will have to repair the product themselves, in other words, seal it. And here the average person is faced with a number of the following questions:
- How to detect a puncture in a mattress?
- What glue and patches are best to use?
- What tools are preferable to use when gluing the product?
- In what order of actions should I seal the mattress?
To meet the needs of owners of products of this kind, in this article we will give comprehensive answers to the questions posed, as well as give many tips and recommendations regarding the repair and sealing of air mattresses.
Methods for detecting punctures
In order to detect a hole on the surface of an air mattress, the following are the most practical methods:
Dipping the product into water
This option applicable only if the air mattress has small sizes . To do this, the product is inflated and immersed in water, while very carefully observing the appearance of bubbles, which clearly indicate the puncture site.
The identified hole is usually marked with a felt-tip pen.
Important point! Having discovered a puncture, you should not immediately remove the product from the water, as there is a possibility that there may be much smaller holes nearby!
Using soap suds
This enough effective method hole detection in an air mattress, the essence of which is as follows:
- the soap is whipped into thick foam;
- Apply the resulting solution to the product with a foam sponge or brush;
- the appearance of bubbles on the surface will indicate the puncture site.
Advice! Instead of soap, you can use any detergent that foams perfectly!
Detecting a puncture from the inside
This method of detecting a hole in an air mattress is considered the most troublesome, but at the same time, it is considered one of the most effective ways. Its essence lies in the following sequential actions:
- prepare 5–7 liters of soapy water;
- the specified volume of liquid is poured into the mattress through the neck;
- using a pump, the product is inflated and turned upside down;
- is created overpressure inside, and water will begin to leak at the puncture site.
Powdering
Unlike the previous two methods, this method of detecting small holes is considered “dry”, and its essence is as follows:
- any dry substance, that is, flour, starch, dry mustard, is carefully dispersed on the surface of the product;
- a stream of air emanating from the puncture will lift light powder;
- Once a hole is found in the air mattress, the powdery substance can be collected using a vacuum cleaner.
A pet
Enough original way detecting a hole in the mattress. A cat can not only damage the product, but also find a puncture due to its excellent hearing and smell, as well as curiosity. (The advice is comic; in practice, pets were not used in the repair of air mattresses)
Using fire
This method involves the use of ordinary matches or a lighter. In other words, at the site of the supposed hole, the flame will be slightly blown out by the outgoing stream of air.
Adhesive for air mattresses
- Should not be used large quantity glue - this will not improve the quality of gluing!
- The action of the glue can be accelerated using a hairdryer by directing a stream of hot air to the area being treated, however, you need to be careful not to overdry it!
- a thin layer of glue is re-applied to the surfaces to be treated and they are pressed together;
- You can fix the pressing using a weight.
Advice! To prevent the processing area from sticking to the load, you can put a piece of plastic film between them!
After the glue has dried, the air mattress is ready for use again.
Some unusual situations
The above process for removing holes in an air mattress is only suitable for smooth mattress surfaces. But during sealing of punctures, various non-standard situations may arise, which include the following:
Air is escaping from under the air mattress valve
In this case, you must perform the following procedure:
- remove the rubber valve gasket;
- clean it with sandpaper and degrease with acetone;
- apply a thin layer of silicone;
- Carefully install the gasket in place.
The puncture occurred on the velor surface of the mattress
To seal a hole on such a surface, you must perform the following procedure:
- carefully treat the puncture site with acetone or nail polish remover (this makes it possible to significantly soften the adhesive base that holds the pile);
- scrape off the lint with a blunt object so as not to damage the surface of the product;
- the cleaned surface is re-treated with acetone;
- Otherwise, the gluing process is carried out according to the above standard scheme.
However worth understanding that applying a patch to a velor surface significantly spoils the external decorative look air mattress.
How to seal an air mattress on the velor side
It turns out that there is another way to seal punctures on a velor surface, although it is quite labor-intensive. But its gist is this:
- the section of the product with a puncture, through the neck of the valve, is turned inside out;
- apply the patch using the standard method;
- leave in this position for 12 hours to allow the glue to dry;
- in reverse order, the product is turned back inside out.
Typical mistakes when sealing mattress punctures
Trying to quickly seal a hole in an air mattress with a patch, many people make a number of mistakes, which ultimately can lead to its final damage. To prevent the development of such a situation, first of all, you need the following series of typical mistakes:
- the wrong type of glue was selected;
- the puncture site is not properly treated, as a result of which air continues to escape from the product;
- too much glue is applied;
- the area being treated is not pressed with a load;
- The patch is not made of the correct material.
Advice! If you are not sure that you can properly seal a hole in an air mattress with your own hands, then it is better to contact specialized centers, or in extreme circumstances, contact the nearest car service center!
And in conclusion, I would like to note the following: if you follow all the tips and recommendations indicated in the article, then you will special labor seal a puncture on an air mattress at home!
