How To Fix A Hole In An Air Mattress Without A Patch Kit
When it comes to accommodating sudden guests in a small flat or giving you a comfortable sleep on the campsites, there is nothing more useful than an air mattress.
However, if there is a leak, you will awake on a flat and squishy bed. After checking, you find that there are no patches as well.
Now, the biggest question stands in front of you – how to fix a hole in an air mattress without a patch kit? Fortunately, there are other ways to save you from this deflated situation.
Fix a leak in an air mattress without a patch kit: Process
Step 1: Make sure that you are dealing with a real drain. Air mattresses tend to lose air over time. It’s the reason why you should always inflate it to its full state before every use. In cold weather, an air mattress will quickly lose the pressure. However, there will be a considerable difference between regular pressure loss and a leak.
Before you apply time and effort on the mattress, you should make sure that there is an outflow. So, fully inflate it and use the bed for an hour. If there will be any leak, the mattress will start sagging, and you will know.
Step 2: Locate the leak. You cannot find a hole or leak with naked eyes, especially minor ones. So, fill the air mattress to its maximum level and try to listen to the air bursts. If you cannot sense the air leak anywhere, then follow the given steps.
- Find an open area where you place the mattress safely and move it there.
- Take half bucket water and mix a small quantity of dish soap or liquid in it. Mix the juice with water using your hands until it starts making studs.
- Dip a sponge into the soapy water and begin wiping the mattress from one end.
- Once you got studs blowing out of the bed, you got the leak.
Step 3: Dry the mattress. Use a towel to wipe out the area and let the mattress dry in open air or sun for some time.
Step 4: Apply vinyl adhesive to the mattress. All the air mattresses come with a patch kit. If you cannot find it, then you can use vinyl adhesive to fix the airbed. Please follow the gives steps to use the liquid
- Wear rubber gloves that will protect you from vinyl.
- Apply a coat of adhesive to the tear or cut and wait for it to dry. Keep adding the layers until it reaches 1/16th of an inch and looks firm to you.
- Let the mattress dry for 48 hours, so that it can be ready for the next outdoor site.
Alternatives
Custom made covering: In addition to the vinyl adhesive, you can also use your own patch to seal the mattress once again. Create a small piece of a patch from thin plastic material like a shower curtain. Make sure that the cutting is more significant than the cut or hole.
Cover the affected area with the patch and use rubber cement, industrial glue, epoxy to stick it against the mattress. It will do the trick; however; it might void the warranty. So, use this hack only if the bed has crossed the warranty period.
Hot glue: You can also use hot glue and then allow it to dry. However, this is a complex process and can cause more harm than benefits if not used in the right way.
For example, if the tip of the glue gun touches the air mattress, there will be a bigger hole to fill. Similarly, the leak may reappear in case of any breaks. So, this method is only recommended for the experts or someone who has done it at least once.
Duct tape. If you do not have access to any of the above, then you can also use duct tapes to cover the hole. You can also use the regular transparent tap instead of the duct rolls. It may not last for long but will hold the air for the whole night at least. Also, it will not void the warranty.
Bottom line
I hope you enjoyed the article and also know how to fix a hole in an air mattress without a patch kit. Air mattresses are vulnerable, but still gives you a portable sleeping solution that can also accommodate your weekend guests.
It is the reason why we tried to explain some best possible ways to seal an air mattress, even if you do not have the patch kit.
However, we recommend that you should prefer the patch kit and try the above-mentioned solutions only when you are unable to find it.
Last Updated on 2nd January 2023
