How to Find a Tiny Leak in an Air Mattress
You may not realize you have a leak in an air mattress until it slowly deflates overnight, leaving you lying on the hard ground or floor during a camping trip or sleepover. When you pump it up, it seems to stay inflated, yet you know there's a tiny leak somewhere when you find it's flat again the next morning. Even if you can't hear the sound of air escaping and don't notice an obvious puncture or rip, you can still find a leak. Once you know where it is, you can patch it and enjoy a useful air mattress again.
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Instructions
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Add air to the mattress until it's inflated to a normal level. Take it outside if possible to minimize the mess, since you'll need to wet it.
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Fill a squirt bottle with soapy water, or dip a towel in a basin of soapy water. Coat the top of the mattress with a thick film of soapy water, spreading it everywhere but especially around the seams or other areas where you suspect a leak. Fold the mattress a little or press down on it to try to force out the air. Listen and watch for hissing air or soap bubbles. If you see a leak, circle the area with a pen or crayon.
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Turn the mattress over, spread soapy water on the other side and repeat. Make sure to include the edges as well.
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Take the mattress to a swimming pool, lake or other body of water if you still can't find the leak. Inflate it and push it under the water. Watch for a stream of small bubbles as air escapes. When you find a leak, circle it with a pen or crayon. If you don't have access to a large body of water, use a bathtub for a small air mattress, pushing one part at a time under the water.
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Rinse off the soapy water, and let the mattress dry thoroughly before patching the leak.
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References
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