How to Find an Air Leak in an Air Mattress

If you have ever owned an air mattress, you know that an air leak is inevitable. You might not find it for a while but you most likely will realize the result in the middle of the night when you find yourself laying on the hard and cold ground. Since an air mattress is useless without being airtight, finding the source of the leak is imperative.

Instructions

1. Listen. Pump the air mattress up to the normal pressure and then tell everyone to be quiet. If you cannot hear anything, try laying on it and adding extra pressure. Hopefully, you will be able to hear it and then repair the hole. You might have to try turning the mattress over to hear if the leak is on the bottom side.

2. Mix up a batch of soapy water, made with a teaspoon of dish soap and one gallon of water. Generously apply this to the mattress with a rag. Work one section at a time so you can pay close attention to the surface of the mattress. Look for bubbles coming up from the surface. Once you have found the leak, dry the area well and apply a patch.

3. Submerse the whole inflated mattress in a pool or other large body of water. This will be hard to do as it will want to float, but push one area of the mattress at a time under water. Look for bubbles. One the leak is located, dry the mattress well and apply a patch.

4. Feel around for the leak. This is a great option for children as they have more sensitive skin and can actually feel a small stream of air being forced out of the mattress. Mark the spot and then apply a patch.

5. Check the area around the intake valve. Make sure you have the insert and the outer cap and that it sits snugly in place. If the cap is not holding air, check with the manufacturer for a new cap, or just get a new air mattress!