How To Find A Leak In An Air Mattress
There are few things more annoying than waking up in the middle of the night on a half-deflated air mattress. It can put a real damper on a camping trip, especially if you can’t find the leak and repair it.
We’ve researched some of the best–and worst–methods to find a leak in an air mattress, so that you can repair it quickly and get a good night of rest.
Before You Start, Check The Air Valve
Before you begin the process of looking for the leak in your air mattress, check the nozzles or valves used to inflate the mattress. Even expensive air mattresses can have cheap plastic valves that can get damaged each time they are pushed and pulled. Make sure the leak isn’t coming from the nozzle itself.
Basic Steps To Find A Leak
Before you try any of the methods below, there is some basic preparation that you should do first:
- Remove any sheets or sleeping bags so that you have access to the entire surface of the air mattress
- Carefully move the air mattress to an open area with plenty of room for you to move around the mattress, turn it, and/or flip it over
- If possible, find a quiet place away from a crowd or kids
- Be prepared with an air pump or electrical source (for a self-inflating electronic air mattress)
Method 1: Inflate And Listen
This method is one of the most obvious for a reason: if you can hear the leak, you can follow the sound to the general area of the hole, then zero in on the exact spot.
Inflation is key for finding the leak in an air mattress. Whether the leak is big or small, you won’t be able to hear the air escaping if there isn’t enough force to push it through the hole. By inflating the air mattress to its maximum capacity (short of bursting), you’ll force the air out of the hole and make it easier to hear.
Once the air mattress is inflated, get down close to it. Turn your head to one side so that your ear is close to the mattress, giving you the best chance of hearing the leak.
Don’t give up too easily on this method if you don’t hear the leak the first time. It is possible that the hole is on the bottom of the air mattress and is temporarily blocked. If you don’t hear the leak, flip the mattress over, re-inflate with plenty of air, and listen again.
Method 2: Inflate And Feel
Similar to the first method, you need to be diligent in inflating the air mattress in order to feel the air rushing out of it. Once inflated, walk or crawl around the air mattress, touching it lightly with your hand. When your hand passes over the hole, you’ll feel the air escaping from it.
This method can take some time, and you may have to re-inflate the air mattress once or twice, but it works better than just looking for the hole with the naked eye.
Pay special attention to the seams of the air mattress, as leaks tend to happen along them. Also start with the bottom of the air mattress (the side that touches the ground), as your body weight can often cause it to push against rocks, twigs, or other sharp objects on the ground.
Methods To Avoid: Anything Using Water
Using water or a soap and water combination to find a leak in an air mattress can have negative consequences. If you submerge the air mattress in water with the intention of seeing air bubbles coming from the leak, water will likely get inside the mattress and eventually start to mold.
Never spray the outside of the air mattress with soapy water to make bubbles at the site of the leak. The soap and water on the outer surface of the mattress can make it harder to patch the leak once located. Stick to the “Listen” and “Feel” methods above to keep your mattress safe for repairs.
Repairing A Leaking Air Mattress
Once you’ve found the leak in your air mattress, let the mattress deflate slowly to get it ready for repair. Air mattress repair products or patch kits are inexpensive and are sold at most camping stores, department stores, and online. A highly rated product that you can use to repair a vinyl air mattress is Coghlan’s 8880 Airstop, available on Amazon:
How To Avoid A Leak In Your Air Matress
The best way to avoid a terrible night of sleep on a deflating air mattress is to avoid a leak in the first place. Here are some tips to avoid springing a leak:
- Set up and inflate the air mattress on a clean area that you’ve covered with a thick blanket or sleeping bag
- If setting up the air mattress inside, vacuum the area, and put down a blanket (even on carpet)
- Keep pets and kids away from the air mattress as much as possible
- Don’t walk across the mattress or flop down on it too hard
Do you have other tips to add for finding a leak in an air mattress? Leave a comment to share your tip with others.