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. You can fix this much-needed household item at home with your own hands. 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 locate the leak, you need to conduct a thorough visual inspection of the product.
- 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 larger than 5 cm, or if the internal partitions are torn. You can't handle this on your own.
Seal holes, cracks, cuts
Before you begin, make sure the mattress is dry. Prepare the necessary 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. The glue should be at room temperature. Stir thoroughly before use. Some novice craftsmen think the more glue 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.
To prevent the appearance of the product from deteriorating, 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 courtyard of the house, or in a 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 a thin layer of glue to the surface of the hole and the 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. We make the new patch larger in 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.
- This kind of thing is a bad place for pets.
- No need to jump on the mattress - this is not a trampoline.
- For washing, use detergent without chemicals or 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 application 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. They will make quality repairs quickly and inexpensively. This mattress will serve you for many years to come.
