How to Find the Source of a Leaking Air Mattress
Most campers find air mattresses far more comfortable than a thin sleeping bag on rocky ground. Unfortunately, these inflatable beds are also prone to leaking, turning a firm bed into two thin sheets of plastic by morning. There are several methods you can try to locate the source of the leak. Each method uses common household items and a bit of patience. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Three sheets of toilet paper
- Glass of water
- Hand soap
- Spoon
- Foam brush
- Dry towel
- Permanent marker
Instructions
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1
Place your leaky air mattress in a quiet, enclosed space. If possible, bring your mattress inside a room with no ventilation or moving air. Inflate your mattress to maximum capacity.
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2
Drag three sheets of toilet paper across the surface of your mattress. Any escaping air should flutter the toilet paper as the material passes over the leak. If the leak is too small, the paper will not move, and you will need to try another method.
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3
Wet the back of your hand with tap water. Slow pass the back of your hand over the surface of the mattress. If your hand passes over the leak, the moving air will cool your hand due to rapid evaporation. If you don't feel any changes in temperature, move on to the next method.
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4
Mix a liberal amount of hand soap with a glass of water. Stir the mixture with a spoon. Dip a foam brush or paint brush into the glass, and paint a layer of water across the surface of the mattress. Escaping air will cause the soapy water to bubble.
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5
Mark the leak location with a permanent marker, so you can find it again without any trouble.
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6
Thoroughly dry your air mattress with a towel before attempting to patch the leak.
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Tips & Warnings
Focus your efforts around the valve stem, the most likely location of a leak.
If all else fails, partially fill your mattress with air, plug the valve, and submerge the mattress in a bathtub. Air bubbles will signify the leak location.
