An air mattress is a very convenient device that can be easily turned into a full-fledged sleeping place. By the size of the mattresses are single, one and a half and even double, in height also vary among themselves. Only production material is common to products: they are made of soft, flexible PVC, which is easily damaged. Therefore, each user needs to know how to glue the air mattress, because throwing out a damaged product is not necessary.
- Defect search
- Immersion in water
- Using soap suds
- By sound
- Liquid filling
- Starch
- Cling film
- Other methods
- Preparation of necessary tools and materials
- Adhesive composition
- “Universal moment”
- Polyurethane adhesive for shoes
- PVC glue
- Super Moment 1
- Rubber glue
- Intex 59632 Repair Kit
- Patch Materials
- Surface preparation
- Sticking up a mattress
- Repair of large holes and cuts
- How to seal a hole on the velor side - instructions
- Seam sealing
- Damage Prevention
- Tips for operating and storing an air mattress
- Contacting the workshop - is it worth it
Defect search
Most often, damage to an inflatable thing happens due to a piercing, tearing of its walls with a sharp object. Pets, children are capable of damaging the product; it can also burst from too much loading, excessive inflation, the use of acids or alkalis for washing. It is possible to “injure” a mattress even if the storage conditions are violated - in this case, it most often cracks at the seam.
to contents ↑Repairing an air mattress at home is a snap. First you need to accurately determine the puncture site, because sometimes the product quickly deflates, and the hole is not visible. There are several methods for finding the damage zone, all of which are simple and accessible.
Immersion in water
If you put an inflated mattress in water, you can see how air bubbles come out of the area of damage. For a small product, a conventional basin is suitable, where it is immersed in several stages. A large air mattress can only be loaded into a pool or pond, so this method is inconvenient. Moreover, it is difficult to see air bubbles in a reservoir due to the flow and turbidity of the water.
Using soap suds
Detergents can also help find a puncture and then repair it with your own hands. It is necessary to take any detergent, wash, bath foam, shaving, shower gel are also suitable. A small amount of the product must be whipped into the foam, apply a foam sponge to the surface of the mattress. The exit of air bubbles on the foam is easy to notice.
By sound
Having a good ear, you can quickly find the puncture site. It is necessary to choose a quiet room, well to inflate the product, and then listen, for sure in one of the sections there will be a whistling sound.
Liquid filling
If possible, pour water into the mattress, which will flow through the hole in a thin stream. The drip is especially noticeable if you press on the mattress from above. Unfortunately, this technique can only be used on a summer day if it is possible to further dry the product well.
Starch
The surface of the area where the gap is supposedly located should be sprinkled with starch. In the area of the hole, the white powder will be inflated by the outgoing air.Instead of starch, you can use flour, ground mustard powder. After the search, the starch residues must be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
Cling film
The inflated mattress should be sprinkled with water from the spray gun, then cover it with cling film, pull it tightly. In the puncture area, air will accumulate under the cellophane.
Other methods
The original way to find a defect is to use a lighter, matches. It is necessary to hold a flame over the surface of the mattress - where the air comes out, the fire will swing.
Also, people with a cat easily find a hole in the mattress. The animal will immediately find a puncture and will be interested in this place. Thanks to curiosity and good hearing, the cat may begin to "catch" the outgoing air.
Preparation of necessary tools and materials
Before starting work, it is better to immediately find the right fixtures and supplies. You will need a good glue and brush, a degreasing agent (acetone, solvent, alcohol), a patch for the mattress, and sandpaper. You may also need a hairdryer, pencil (marker), scissors. To press the bonding place, prepare the load. In order not to look for all these things, you can purchase a ready-made repair kit for the mattress.
Adhesive composition
Correctly glue the mattress only when using high-quality glue. You can buy a special or universal tool - at will, but it is better to choose adhesives, the instructions of which indicate the possibility of repairing PVC products (for example, boats).
to contents ↑For gluing the mattress you can not use superglue. They contain cyanoacrylate, which can spoil the material of an air mattress. It is also necessary to avoid the use of other compounds that have the ability to instant freeze - they give too hard a junction.
“Universal moment”
With this glue you can fasten a wide variety of materials, including PVC, rubber. The tool is able to reliably attach to the mattress a patch from the camera, a piece of old rubber, without damaging the main material. The glue quickly sets, finally dries in a day.
Polyurethane adhesive for shoes
Such a tool is made on the basis of urethane resins. Glue is widely used for gluing leather, rubber, PVC, TEP and other shoe materials; it will also attach a patch to the mattress with no less quality. Between the surfaces to be glued, the composition forms a strong layer that does not collapse with time. An example of a good polyurethane adhesive is Desmokol.
PVC glue
The Liquid Latka PVC glue was created specifically for the repair of inflatable products: mattresses, boats, pools, awnings, toys. It contains PVC and active reagents. The glue is waterproof, frost-resistant, available in different color variations. On small cuts, holes (up to 3 cm) it can be applied without a patch. A mattress will be allowed to be used after a day, but the final strength of the "Liquid patch" acquires only after 7-10 days.
Super Moment 1
It is not recommended to use “Super Moment” to repair mattresses, after hardening the seam will be too hard and will begin to break when air is inflated. The reason is the low elasticity of the composition, which is suitable only for stable, rigid substrates.
Rubber glue
Typically, the tool is used to glue a rubber patch to the mattress. Such glue contains rubber (natural or artificial), therefore, it adheres well to these materials. The product is applied to both surfaces, pressed, put the load, and a strong adhesive joint will be obtained in a day.
Intex 59632 Repair Kit
Intex company is considered a leading manufacturer in the market of inflatable products, including mattresses. She produces special repair kits that are equipped with a transparent patch of 6.5 * 18 cm, Vinyl Cement glue with a tube volume of 5.7 g. Also included is a detailed instruction for using accessories. Thanks to the transparency of the patch, the repair kit will give a second life to the mattress without spoiling its appearance. In addition, it can be used to repair other inflatable products:
- beds;
- pillows;
- sofas;
- children's play centers;
- boats etc.
Patch Materials
If you can’t buy a ready-made repair kit, you can create a patch yourself. For this purpose, any rubber product is suitable - a swimming cap, an old camera, a mattress, a pillow, an inflatable toy. The arm sleeve, pool, circle, ball are also suitable. From the listed products, a round patch is made that does not have corners, and it should overlap a hole by 2-3 cm on each side.
to contents ↑In extreme cases, in the complete absence of rubber, a piece of cotton fabric can be taken to make a patch. It is well smeared with rubber glue on both sides, it is allowed to soak in the composition and slightly dry, then it is used as a regular rubber patch. Usually a 3-4 cm piece is enough.
Surface preparation
After finding the puncture site on the mattress, you must definitely put a mark on the marker, pencil, and chalk. The product is cleaned of any contaminants, dried, especially the area that needs to be glued. You can not dry the mattress on the battery, from other sources of heat, it must necessarily dry naturally.
Also during the preparatory activities, you need to do the following:
- to clean the patch and the puncture area with sandpaper with the finest grain (this will help the products to bond more securely);
- wipe both surfaces with acetone, another solvent to degrease them;
- remove the fluffy coating from the velor side - thoroughly moisten it with acetone, alcohol, after the solution dries, remove the pile with the blunt side of the knife or other suitable object for this purpose.
Sticking up a mattress
If there are several puncture sites and they are located next to each other, you can use one oversized patch. Otherwise, you will have to cut out more than one patch by the number of holes. After preparing a patch of rubber or cotton impregnated with glue, proceed as follows:
- apply glue for the patch and mattress in a thick layer;
- wait for the time indicated in the instructions (usually about 5-10 minutes);
- attach a patch, press it well;
- install a press;
- if it is supposed to be instructions, heat the surface with a hot hairdryer;
- Do not use the mattress for 2 days, then it is ready for use.
Repair of large holes and cuts
If the hole is large, self-sealing it may not bring the proper results. It is better to contact a workshop where specialists use flashing and sealing defects using special equipment (such as vulcanization).
How to seal a hole on the velor side - instructions
In order for the patch to hold firmly, you need to thoroughly clean the surface. On the soft side of the mattress, it is necessary to remove the pile, literally all the hairs, because they will seriously reduce the degree of adhesion. After wetting the surface with acetone and cleaning it with sandpaper, the velor comes off, a smooth base remains.
The pre-cut patch of the right size should be greased with glue, evenly distributed and dried. Then put a patch on the mattress, squeeze it, warm the place well with a hairdryer. Press the patch with a heavy object, leave for a day.
to contents ↑
Seam sealing
Damage to a mattress is considered to be the most difficult if it is seamed. To get a quality repair result, it is better to contact professionals. If this is not possible, you can try to "cure" the product with your own hands in the following ways:
- Outside patch. First, the pile is well cleaned from the side of the hole, then a patch with a fold is glued. It is advisable to choose the thinnest patch of vinyl for this purpose.
- Inner patch.For a more inconspicuous repair result, try to unscrew the mattress through the valve in part of the damaged area, clean and degrease it, and then stick the patch. You can only turn it back after it has completely dried.
- Adhesive filling. Small defects along the seam, you can try just pour a reliable adhesive. Do not touch the product until completely dry, then check it for leaks. If the defect persists, repeat all the steps or use the patch.
to contents ↑After the repair is completed, you need to evaluate whether the valve works well. If it lets air in, you can also carry out repairs yourself. The valve is cleaned of dirt, dust. Then they clean the end face with sandpaper, process with glue. After drying, inflate and once again check for leaks.
Damage Prevention
So that the need for repair of the mattress does not arise, you need to use a number of tips:
- do not throw the mattress without making sure that there are no sharp objects on the ground, floor;
- when laying the product on the floor, lay a dense fabric;
- Do not drag the inflated thing on the ground, do not “roll” children on it;
- Do not swim on a mattress that is not intended for this;
- prevent sudden jumps on the thing;
- exclude damage to the product by pets;
- Do not inflate the mattress too much (so it wears out faster).
Tips for operating and storing an air mattress
If the product is rarely used, it must be stored in a deflated form, preferably in a dry, dark place. Before placing in the closet, the mattress is thoroughly dried. Blow it off gently, without pressure, pump it up no more than once every 5 days. If necessary, wash the product with ordinary soapy water without adding aggressive detergents. Abrasive powders are also not used. After cleaning, the mattress is washed with clean water, dried naturally.
Contacting the workshop - is it worth it
In case of a serious defect in an air mattress, you will have to use the services of professionals. We are talking about the rupture of the internal partitions, the presence of large holes, wide cuts, the divergence of the seams, a serious violation of the valve. In other cases, damage can be repaired with your own hands without wasting time and money.
