How to Find the Source of a Leaking Air Mattress

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Air mattresses are a versatile compact sleeping system for campers. They fold up small, don't weigh a lot and provide comfort while away from home. They can also spring a leak, and if undetected, will leave you flat on the cold hard ground. An experience camper will bring a patch kit along with the air mattress to do a little field surgery should the need arise. But before the patch can be applied, you'll need to find the leak.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Towel or rag
Soap
Water
Dish pan

Step 1

Remove any covers from air mattress. Fill the mattress with more air. Sit on the air mattress and listen for the sound of hissing air. You might need to place your head a few inches above the mattress. Check both sides of the air mattress. If you can not locate the leak, move on to step 2.

Step 2

Fill the dishpan with a cup of water and a dime-size puddle of soap. Swish the water with a rag until it is soaked with soapy water.

Step 3

Wipe down the mattress with soapy water. Press on the mattress to force air out of the leak.

Step 4

Examine the mattress closely for the formation of bubbles, which will indicate the leak.

Tips & Warnings

Inflate your air mattress at home to check for leaks before heading out on a camping trip.

Article Written By Denise Bertacchi

Denise Bertacchi is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a St. Louis suburbanite who has written for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Boys' Life, Wisconsin Trails, and Missouri Life.

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