How To Fix A Hole In An Air Mattress With Duct Tape?

Leakages and holes in the air mattress are common and inevitable phenomena. The most unbecoming thing is that you will find air leaking from your mattress in the most awkward moments. For example, your family visits you during the holidays.

In such cases, the most common question you will think of is how to fix a hole in an air mattress with duct tape? Well, there are several ways to fix the issues, but you can utilize duct tape to fix the small holes in the air mattress. However, regular duct tape might not just cut it.

To fix the hole in your air mattress, you must follow proper steps such as finding the leakage, clearing the area, and using the duct tape correctly. Additionally, if the hole is too big, you will need other fixing methods such as patching, epoxy, or strong adhesives with duct tape. In this article, I will discuss duct tape methods and procedures.

Why use duct tape?

You might as well ask why you should use duct tape of all things when you can just repair it otherwise. For instance, people use sewing kits, nail polishes, glues, etc. However, let me tell you, all the procedures besides using duct tape are either too hassled or messy.

Duct tape is a standard tool people keep in their storerooms. Moreover, you can tear it by hand, and it has a light adhesive backing, making it ideal for spontaneous fixes to everyday objects.

All of these features make duct tape easier to use than other fixing glues and objects. However, this case is only plausible if your air mattress has small tears or holes. If the leakage is too big, duct tape will not fix it alone. You will need to incorporate a stronger adhesive.

Repair the mattress hole with duct tape

You can follow the further procedure to fix the hole in your air mattress;

• Trace around the hole with duct tape then cut a piece long enough to cover it and push it firmly onto the air mattress.
• Remove any air bubbles from the tape by pressing down on it with your fingertips.
• To further secure the duct-tape fix, apply an extra layer of tape at 45-degree angles throughout the initial section.
• The additional tape pieces must cover the edges of the initial tapes.
• Try blowing some air into the mattress to look for places where the repair may have let the air out.

Preparations before fixing

Now that you know how to fix a hole in an air mattress with a duct tape, you must also pay attention to the pre-steps of fixing. You know what they say; before opting to fix a problem, you must locate the problem first. Well, finding the hole in an air mattress is trickier than fixing it.

Thus, I will guide you through the procedures of finding the hole and prepping your air mattress for fixation.

Find the Defects In Your Air Mattress

Small leaks are extremely difficult to detect. You’re in for a treat if you can spot even a few! However, most users must rely on alternative methods to locate the defects. They are;

Check for air leaks

In order to locate air leaks, you can use one of two methods. First and foremost, you must pay attention to the bed’s vertical edges, which may be found at the foot and head.

One of the most common places for air leaks in an air mattress are the seams. You can initially locate air leaks by listening for a feature -like sound. Listen closely to the bed when you wiggle around.

Even using your fingers to feel the air exiting is not always as reliable as just listening. If you cannot track down the source of the problem, proceed to the following choice.

Secondly, you can do a visual check for damage if warranted. The exact location of a leak can be determined by laying your hand over a damaged area and listening to the sound of air leaving. Check for air leaks by running your fingers over the whole mattress’s surface if you can’t see any apparent problems.

Soap-water technique

Finding even the tiniest leaks is a breeze with the help of the soap water solution. First, you’ll need to combine a dishwashing solution of equal parts water; once you’ve found the right answer, double-check that the air mattress is pumped to maximum capacity.

No amount of bubbling water will come from a mattress that has sagged too much. After inflating the mattress, spread a tiny amount of the solution using a sponge to check for bubbles. Keep repeating the process, and you will pinpoint the source of the leak faster.

Furthermore, you can mark the leakage points with a waterproof pen or marker. It is important to keep track because there might be more than one leak.

The tissue-sticking method

The second technique calls for just one piece of a paper terry towel. Spread the tissue across the top of the air mattress from one corner. Once you do, press down softly on the mattress to direct air using your body weight.

Keeping relocating the tissue to new locations on the mattress while blowing on it is an effective way to continue this procedure. The air leak is relatively close if the tissue rises in the air.

The Cleaning Procedure

Now that you have located the defects, it is time to clean the leakage area properly. The cleaning step is as important as finding the defect because the glue will not stick properly if your mattress has dirt on it.

Furthermore, any trace of soap or other dirt left behind may prevent the duct tape from doing its job, leaving you with a sagging problem in the middle of the night. Thus, you can go ahead and grab some fresh water and towels to clean the mattress.

First, use towels to clean the area on which you previously used soap and water. Clean the area precisely and make it dry. One bad idea is to rub the sore spot much harder than necessary. You might worsen it by putting too much pressure on it and widening the ripped area.

Double clean the area with clean water so that the mattress does not have any slippery soapy feel. Make it dry before applying the duct tape or glue.

Remove All of the Mattress Air

The patch or adhesive may not seal properly if still air trapped within. As a result, you will have to redo the repair. Thus, make sure to deflate all the air from the mattress before you start the procedure.

Proper Scrubbing

Scrubbing the area where the hole is located will help the patch stick to the ruffled surface of the air mattress. Do not massage the mattress too harshly; instead, use fine-grit sandpaper.

See Also: Why Do Air Mattresses Have Bumps?

The alternative solutions

As I have already said, duct tape is a temporary solution for mild holes. However, if your air mattress has big defects, you need to resort to other solutions. Let us look into the alternatives;

Patching treatment

Patch the hole according to the manufacturer’s or the aftermarket patch kit’s instructions. But you can make your own patching kit as well.

A patch can be made from any paper-thin plastic or rubber material, such as:

• A remnant of the bathroom/shower curtain;
• A liner for a swimming pool;
• A chunk of the soft rubber inner tube of a bicycle tire.

Now, first, lace the mattress flat with the hole facing upward. Cut out a portion from a plastic scrap by measuring the size of the defect. It is best if the patch is large enough to cover the hole and an additional half an inch of plastic on all sides.

Lastly, use glue to cover the patch’s perimeter. Gently smooth the patch over the damaged area of the air mattress. Be careful that adhesive doesn’t leak through and onto the mattress’s base; doing so might lead to the formation of a new hole the next time it’s inflated.

As adhesives, you can resort to various strong types of glue. For example,

• You can use Marine Goop glue which is the strongest one on the market. However, make sure that you are working with smaller portions at a time. Use thin layers so that there are no risks of damage.
• You can also use hot glue guns. It is a great and most easily acquired glue. However, you owe to be careful while using hot glue. The heat might create another hole if you need to be more careful.
• Epoxy is a great alternative. You need to prepare the proper epoxy solution, place it in the defective area and wait for it to dry.
• Nail polish can come as a quick fix if you lack other tools. The procedure is the same as other ones; put a drop and dry it.

Pressing it to bond

Applying pressure and allowing the patch to be set are both necessary for the patch to remain in place. Cover the patched area with something flat, such as a book or box. This will ensure that the patch stays in place and that the glue bonds well.

You should check to see that the mattress does not stick to the heavy object because of the adhesive that (may) ooze(d) out from around the patch’s borders. Thus, you should let your air mattress sit like this for about eight hours before removing the weight and inspecting the patch.

These are all the possible alternatives to the duct tape method. Duct tapes are great if the hole in the air mattress is small. However, you must resort to other options if the leakage is big.

Final seal deal

There can be no compromise on this point. Do not rest too early since you could discover that your duct tape didn’t hold overnight. The test just requires an hour or two of relaxation time on the air mattress.

You can test the sealed mattress by laying down with a wonderful book or movie. Only proceed if you can see that the air mattress is still completely inflated. However, if the bed is sinking, the repair may need to be redone or a more permanent patch installed.

However, if you find that the air mattress is no longer leaking air, the hole has been successfully patched. Thus, refrain from contemplating, and you should work fast.

See Also: How To Fix A Hole In An Air Mattress With Nail Polish?

See Also: How Much Weight Can Air Mattress Hold?

Final thoughts

The air mattress is essential for people who camp or travel a lot. So, it must be in good shape to provide the utmost comfort. Thus, If the mattress is beyond repair, properly dispose of it in a way that is both quick and environmentally friendly.

However, if you think you can repair the air mattress and make it work, you can read this article and proceed with the fun methods. I hope you have found your answer to how to fix a hole in an air mattress with a duct tape question.