If you've recently discovered a bubble in your air mattress, you're probably wondering how to go about fixing the problem. While many people might simply purchase a new air mattress in response to this issue, you don't have to. With a thorough instructional guide at your disposal, you'll be able to fix mattress bubbles in a timely and stress-free fashion. Read on to learn everything you'll need to know. Step 1 - Prep Your Mattress Before you can go about fixing the bubble, you must first prepare your mattress. This step is a simple matter of removing any sheets, blankets, or comforters from your mattress and locating the bubble. As an added precaution, if you own an electric air mattress, it might be a good idea to unplug it. Do not attempt to locate the bubble before the mattress has been properly stripped, as you are liable to mistake it for a wrinkle in your sheets. Larger air bubbles can usually be identified without much effort, but you may have to carefully inspect your mattress to locate smaller ones.
Once your mattress has been stripped and the bubble has been identified, you will be ready to proceed with the next step. Step 2 - Apply Pressure to the Mattress Bubble Now that you've located the mattress bubble, it's time to begin getting rid of it. Use your hands to gently press down on it to pop it. Next, twist off your mattress's nozzle cap to allow air to seep out of the mattress. Alternatively, if you own an electric air mattress, you may use your remote control to deflate the mattress, instead of removing your nozzle cap. While the mattress is being deflated, make sure that you continue applying pressure to the bubble. Keep pressing down on the bubble until it has been fully popped. Do not attempt to put air back into your mattress until you're positive the bubble is gone. Step 3 - Re-inflate Your Mattress Having rid yourself of the air bubble, it is now safe to re-inflate your mattress. This is usually a simple matter of attaching your air pump to the uncovered nozzle and inflating the mattress until it reaches a suitable level of firmness.
Once the mattress has received a sufficient amount of air, remove your air pump and quickly reattach your nozzle cap, taking care to allow as little air to escape as possible during the transition. If you own an electric air mattress, this process is even simpler. Just push down on your remote control's "inflate" button until the mattress's consistency is of a preferable firmness. Enjoy a comfy night's sleep on your freshly bubble-free mattress. An air mattress is handy to have when camping or receiving guests if you don't have an extra bed or a futon, and learning to fix issues like bubbles and leaks can ensure yours has a long life.Swells often form in air mattresses when the outer covering of the mattress weakens or punctures. Over time, pressure naturally breaks down the surface fibers, resulting in flimsy material that's more prone to breakage. This can cause air bubbles to creep through, which are not only highly uncomfortable, but which can make the mattress more susceptible to tearing or the seams bursting.
Unfortunately, this is part of natural wear-and-tear; however, if you act quickly, you should be able to reverse the damage. Patch repair kits are available from most camping stores that contain both a fabric replacement patch and adhesive. If you need to reinforce the fabric where the swell occurs, rather than fix a puncture, measure the diameter of the bubble and add 1 to 2 inches excess to ensure the patch can cover the entire swell. This will prevent it from spreading. Deflate the mattress completely and lay it on a flat surface. Brush out any wrinkles with your hands. If the mattress is flocked, use a fine-grained sandpaper to remove the surface and expose the synthetic material beneath. Clean the bulge or puncture and the surrounding area with nail polish remover to remove any excess debris. This will ensure the adhesive binds to the surface. Wait for the material to dry before moving on. Brush the adhesive on the underside of the patch, using the recommended amount written in the instructions.
Lay the patch over the swell or puncture, firmly press down on the center, and then run your fingers to the edge to secure it in place. Remove any wrinkles and make it as tight as possible. Wait for the glue to dry. Most adhesives take around 24 hours. Pump up the mattress. If you're reinforcing worn fabric and the pressure of the patch isn't enough to keep the bulge at bay, you'll need to pop the air bubble. Slowly deflate the mattress by opening the air vent. As the air escapes. firmly press down on the bubble with your hands. When there's just enough air left inside the mattress to inflate the bulge, it should pop. When the mattress is completely deflated, walk over it to check for any remaining hidden air bubbles. To check for punctures, fill a spray bottle with water, add a drizzle of dish soap and spray it over the air mattress. Escaping air will cause bubbles to form on the surface, revealing the location of the puncture. Over-inflation is one of the most common causes of bubble formation.
Too much air places strain on the fabric, causing it to stretch. To prevent over-inflation on a new air mattress, pump it up around 90 percent the first couple times you use it. Don't exceed the recommended weight capacity. For example, if you and your partner both sleep on the mattress, it may deflate and place unnecessary pressure on the seams and cause a leak. If swells continue to form, if could be a side effect of another underlying issue, such as poor factory bonding along the seams. This issue is difficult to fix with a patch repair kit; therefore, if you encounter this problem, getting a replacement is advisable. Most air mattresses have a lifespan of around 10 years. After this time frame, it's normal for swells to develop, especially if they've undergone heavy use. However, with the right level of care and attentiveness, your inflatable mattress may survive beyond this limit. You May Also Like Air accumulates in a waterbed mattress from when you fill it and as the water is heated, releasing oxygen.