5 Ways To Locate A Leak In An Air Mattress

Move the bedding to a safe place, away from the area where you will look for leaks so that its out of the way.

If you are camping it is a good idea to do this inside a tent away from breezes and noise. Make sure you have adequate light. You will need to be able to see well enough to look for holes.

You can use your breath or an air pump to inflate the mattress. Many air mattresses come with these to aid in inflation. Do not overinflate your mattress. Most manufacturers warn that this can cause a mattress to burst.

Make sure that the valve plug is completely inserted into the valve stem. For double locking valves, make sure that the valve stem has been completely pressed against the stop behind it. If there is a problem with the valve, it is unlikely to be able to be patched. However, if the valve plug won’t seal against the valve stem you can try inserting a thin piece of plastic for a quick fix. If the valve plug is completely inserted into the valve stem, and the valve stem is completely pressed into the stop behind it, you are ready to look for a leak in the mattress itself.

If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can use a soapy wet rag. A sponge wetted with soapy water or bubble soap will also work for this method.

Always check the valve area first with any method, as the valves are a common source of leaks. If you see bubbles near the valve, inspect it to make sure it is sealing properly.

The leak will reveal itself with soap bubbles. Don’t worry about getting soap on the mattress. This can be wiped off later and the mattress will dry.

You might find it easier to mark the mattress if you use a towel to dry the area first. You can also use a piece of duct tape or felt marker to make your mark more clear once the mattress is dry.

If you don’t dry a mattress before storing it, mold or mildew can form. It is important to make sure it is 100% dry before you put it away. Before you can use any kind of adhesive patch to repair your mattress, it must be 100% dry.

Even a pinhole can become visible when a mattress is inflated. Do this in an area where you have plenty of light. Do this systematically. First, inspect the top of the mattress, then the sides, than the underside. Make sure you visually inspect the seams of the mattress, as this is a common area for tears.

You can wet your hand with cold water first. Escaping air will increase the evaporation rate from your skin and make it feel colder. Pass your hand slowly along the surface of the mattress. If you move too quickly, you might not pick up on the subtle sensation of escaping air.

Your ear is more sensitive to feeling escaping air. Escaping air will also make a hissing sound. Listening for escaping air is more effective in finding large holes or leaks rather than small ones. Listen especially carefully around the seams of the mattress, as this is the most common area for leaks.

Some manufacturers will provide instructions on how to patch a leak. Others will ask that you send the mattress to them for repair. Don’t attempt to patch your mattress without proper instructions from the manufacturer. Different materials may require different methods. Once you locate one leak, inspect the rest of the mattress. There may be more than one hole or tear contributing to the problem.

Submerging an air mattress puts it into contact with a lot of water. Fabric may become saturated. Once an air mattress is saturated with water, seams may begin to deteriorate. Protective coating on synthetic fabrics may also begin to separate from the fabric.

Fully inflating the mattress may make it very difficult to submerge in a pool or bathtub.

See if you can force any air out of the valve. Escaping air will cause a stream of bubbles to form around the leak. Look for these around the valve as you apply pressure. Submerge parts of the fabric under the water. Look for bubbles, indicating escaping air from a leak. [11] X Research source Do this in sections. Looking at a smaller area is easier than trying to find leaks in the whole mattress at one time. Pay close attention to the areas around the seams. Seams are a common area for holes and tears to occur. Mark the leak with a permanent marker once you find the source. Permanent marker is less likely to bleed on a wet surface. [12] X Research source You can partially dry the area around the leak with a towel to aid in marking the leak. Once the mattress is dry you can make your mark more clear by placing duct tape or a larger mark near the leak.

It can be a nuisance to get a wood table too wet. This method requires the use of a hose and a good deal of water. You can also use a deck or patio to do this method. If you are working on a wood surface, make sure it is covered.

Concentrating on looking for bubbles where the water is running. Bubbles escaping around the valve area can indicate there is a leak in the valve. Inspect the valve to make sure it is sealed properly.

Concentrate on looking for streams of bubbles escaping from a leak in the mattress. Look closely around the seams for bubbles. This indicates escaping air and seams are common sites of tears and holes.

You can partially dry the area around the leak with a towel to aid in marking the leak. Once the mattress is dry you can make your mark more clear by placing duct tape or a larger mark near the leak.