Air mattresses are comfortable, easy to store and flexible and come in very handy when someone is stopping to sleep for a night. Even the smallest leak can cause the person to lie down on the floor the next morning. Locating an air leak is like looking for a needle in a haystack, although many manufacturers have several methods of solving this problem. First, inspect the valves, as this will make you more likely to locate the leak. If you're not getting results, try one of the other techniques.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Inspect the Valves
Step 1. Remove the sheets and bedding
You can't spot holes or tears on a covered air mattress.
Move all laundry to a safe place away from the area where you are looking for the spill to avoid it getting in the way
Step 2. Take him to an area where you have a lot of room to maneuver
You need to be able to walk around the mattress, turn it over and inflate it.
- If you are camping, it is best to proceed inside the tent, away from the breeze and noise.
- Make sure you have adequate light; you have to be able to see clearly to locate the holes.
Step 3. Inflate the mattress as much as you can with air without going to the point of bursting it
These objects are not designed to withstand high pressures, such as those generated by a compressor.
- You can inflate it with a pump or by mouth, many models are sold with a device suitable for this purpose.
- Don't inflate it too much, most manufacturers warn that this could cause an explosion.
Step 4. Inspect the valve
It is worth starting with this element before proceeding with the rest of the mattress, as it is the most common cause of air leaks. By following this order, you can save a lot of time instead of looking for a hole right away by other methods.
- Make sure the cap is fully inserted into the valve.
- In the case of non-return valves, check that the stem is fully pressed against the stop behind it.
- If there is a malfunction of this element, you cannot fix it with a patch; however, if the cap does not seal the valve well, you can try inserting a small piece of plastic for a quick fix.
- If the plug is well inserted into the stem and this presses completely into the stop that is behind it, you must proceed to inspect the rest of the mattress.
Method 2 of 5: Using Dish Soap
Step 1. Pour some liquid dish soap into a spray bottle filled with hot water
Mix the two ingredients thoroughly to distribute the soap evenly over the entire mattress surface.
- If you don't have a spray bottle, you can use a rag dipped in soapy water.
- A sponge soaked in soapy water or foamy soap is just as good.
Step 2. First, spray or scrub the valve area
Escaping air causes bubbles to form on the surface. Make sure the mattress is fully inflated.
- Whichever method you use, always check the valve as the first step, as it is the most responsible for leaks.
- If you notice bubbles near this item, check it to make sure it is properly sealed.
Step 3. Spray the surface of the mattress systematically
Start at the seams and then work on the rest of the fabric.
- The loss manifests itself in soap bubbles.
- Don't worry about the soap on the mattress, you can wipe it off later and the material will dry.
Step 4. Make a mark around the hole as soon as you locate it, using a permanent marker
This type of ink does not drip on contact with wet surfaces.
- It may be easier to dry the area with a cloth before making the mark.
- You can also use a piece of duct tape or a standard marker to make the mark more noticeable once the mattress is dry.
Step 5. Let the material dry in direct sunlight or wind for an hour or two
Seams take longer to dry.
- If you don't get rid of all the moisture before storing the mattress, mold could develop; it is therefore very important that it is perfectly dry before putting it away.
- Before using any type of adhesive patch, the mattress must not have any traces of water.
Method 3 of 5: Inspect the Air Mattress
Step 1. Visually inspect the surface
You should do this when the mattress is still fully inflated.
- Even a very small hole becomes visible when the structure is filled with air.
- Do this in a well-lit room.
- Proceed systematically; first, check the top, then the sides, and finally the bottom surface.
- Remember to visually check the seams, as they are usually prone to tears.
Step 2. Slowly move the palm of your hand along the surface
It is often possible to feel the air flow on the skin.
- You can also wet your hand with cold water before doing this test. The air coming out of the hole increases the evaporation rate of the water from the skin, making it colder.
- Slowly cover the entire surface of the mattress with your hand; if you move too quickly, you may not feel the air escaping.
Step 3. Apply some pressure with your hand and listen
Move your head to the mattress, with your ear near the surface.
- The ear is more sensitive to perceive the flow of air which also emits a hissing sound.
- Paying attention to sound is a more effective method of finding large holes and leaks than small ones.
- Be especially careful in the area of the seams, as they are often prone to leaks.
Step 4. Trace the spill area with a pen or piece of tape
This way, you are able to find the exact spot when patching up.
- Some manufacturers provide information about the repair, while others want the mattress to be sent to them for them to do themselves.
- Do not try to patch it up without the correct manufacturer's instructions; different materials require different techniques.
- Once you find the leak, check the rest of the mattress, as there may be more than one hole or tear contributing to the problem.
Method 4 of 5: Soak the Mattress
Step 1. Check your model label
Some are not suitable for immersion in water.
- This method involves putting the mattress in contact with a lot of water and the fabric could become soaked.
- Once the mattress has absorbed a lot of liquid, the seams may deteriorate; furthermore, the protective layer that is spread on synthetic fabrics could separate from the fibers.
Step 2. Partially inflate the mattress
If it doesn't contain at least some air, you won't be able to see bubbles underwater.
If you inflate it completely, you have a lot of difficulty submerging it in a tub or pool
Step 3. Submerge the closed valve stem in a pool or bathtub filled with water
Apply pressure to the stem.
- See if you can force air out of the valve.
- Escaping air causes bubbles to form in the area of the leak; be careful if they come out as you press.
- Soak some of the fabric. Look for bubbles that indicate an air leak.
- Proceed by sections. Inspecting a smaller area is easier than looking for leaks all over the mattress at once.
- Pay close attention to the seams, as they are usually the most likely to tear and puncture.
- Make a mark around the leak as soon as you spot it, using a permanent marker. This type of marker should not drip onto a wet surface.
- You can partially dry the affected area with a cloth to allow the marker to write better.
- When the mattress is dry, you can better highlight the leak site with tape or a larger mark.
Step 4. Dry the mattress in direct sunlight or wind for an hour or two
Seams usually take longer.
- If you don't get rid of all the moisture before storing the mattress, you can encourage the development of mold; make sure it is completely dry before putting it away.
- Before any type of patch adhesive can be used, the material must be perfectly dry.
Method 5 of 5: Use a Garden Hose
Step 1. Use an outdoor table for this method
If it's wooden, protect it with a blanket, newspaper, or vinyl tablecloth.
- Over-wetting the wooden table could be a problem, as this method uses the garden hose and a lot of water.
- You can also use the patio or terrace floor. If you're working on a wooden surface, make sure you protect it.
Step 2. Attach the hose to the tap and completely wet the area around the valve
Move slowly, as the leak may only be visible for a few seconds.
- Focus on identifying bubbles in areas where the water flows.
- The bubbles that come out around the valve can indicate a malfunction of the same; inspect it carefully to make sure it is well sealed.
Step 3. Wet the rest of the surface with water
Use a gentle flow and go slowly.
- Concentrate on looking for streams of bubbles that come out of the hole in the mattress.
- Pay attention to the presence of bubbles in the area of the seams, because it indicates air leaks; seams are easily prone to tears and holes.
Step 4. Make a mark around the leak with a permanent marker when you have located the source
This type of ink should not drip onto wet surfaces.
- You can partially dry the area with a cloth, to allow the marker to write better.
- When the fabric is dry, you can highlight the area even more with masking tape or a larger marker mark.
Step 5. Let it dry in direct sunlight or in the wind for an hour or two
Seams need more time.
- If you don't dry the mattress well before putting it away, you could promote mold growth; it is important that it is completely free of moisture before storing it.
- Make sure the material is completely dry before using any type of patch adhesive.
Advice
- When the soapy water covers the area responsible for the leak, it makes the bubbles more noticeable.
- When finished, rinse the soap off the mattress and wait for it to dry completely before applying the patches.
- Ask the manufacturer about the best technique to fix the air leak. Some manufacturers send their customers free specific kits or provide excellent advice.
- When inflating the mattress, light an incense stick and let the smoke enter the mattress. When the air comes out of the hole, so will the smoke.
- It may be better to buy a new mattress, consider how long it will take you to identify the leak.
- Try using a smartphone on which you have downloaded an application for measuring the decibels of a sound. Eliminate all background noises in the environment and slide the mobile phone on the surface of the mattress, keeping an eye on the monitor for an increase in the intensity of the sound. To further check and confirm the leak, bring your lips closer to the potentially responsible area, as they are particularly sensitive.
- Place and unfold the mattress on a large surface to try to feel the air coming out of it.
- Some methods involve pouring water into the mattress through the valve; do not do this, because it is very difficult to dry the inside; moreover, the presence of humidity can trigger the development of mold and consequently ruin the mattress.
Warnings
- Do not let water get into the mattress, as there is no way to dry it before mold starts to form.
- Do not rest the mattress on a sharp object while you are inspecting it.
- Make sure the mattress is completely dry before storing it to prevent mold growth.
- Do not over inflate it as it may explode.
