Edit ArticleHow to Repair an Aerobed Leak Six Methods:Preparing the MattressStopping a Pinhole LeakPatching a Small Hole or TearFixing a Leak in the SeamRepairing the ValveChecking your workCommunity Q&A Air mattresses are useful items for camping trips and accommodating guests. Unfortunately, after time even the best air mattresses are prone to leaks. Given that a top-of-line air mattress can cost quite a bit of money, it’s worth considering repairing the leak yourself.From simply listening for the leak to spraying the mattress with soapy water and looking for bubbles to more extreme tests like submerging the mattress in a tub or swimming pool, the many tests for find a leak in your air mattress are detailed in 5 Ways to Locate a Leak in an Air Mattress. However, the most reliable methods seem to be the easiest: using your ears and spraying the mattress with soapy water. Whichever method you choose, always inspect the mattress systematically. First inspect the valves.
Then, check the seams. Finally, inspect the flat surfaces of mattress.Use a permanent marker or a piece of masking tape. For “flocked” (fuzzy) mattresses, use fine grit sandpaper or an emery board to smooth the area before attempting to patch it. And make sure to remove any debris with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner before proceeding. Alternatively, use acetone—an ingredient found in many nail polish removers—to smooth the flocked area before patching it. Wet a cotton ball with a small amount of acetone and dab the area around the hole. Then, use something rigid like a spoon to scrape away the flocking. Finally, use rubbing alcohol to clean the area thoroughly. Dry the mattress completely.You will need a urethane glue like McNett’s Freestyle , Seam Grip, or Aquaseal, or Coleman’s Seam Sealer. Smear a small amount of glue over the hole.As the mattress inflates, the glue should seal the hole. In the event that you are unable to seal the hole with glue alone, proceed to Method 2, “Patching a Small Hole or Tear.”
Let the glue dry. This will take 24 hours. Make sure the glue is dry before you use the mattress.You will either need an air mattress repair kit or the equivalent components: an adhesive and a piece of vinyl that’s larger than the hole you’re repairing. Use any vinyl repair kit instead of an air mattress repair kit. Choose an adhesive that’s made expressly for sealing seams. Try McNett’s Seam Grip or Coleman’s Seam Sealer. You can also consider using rubber cement. Duct tape can be used in place of the vinyl if no other alternatives are available. You may also need something with which to apply the adhesive. A small paint brush is ideal. Measure and cut a patch that’s at least ½ inch bigger on all sides than the tear. Apply the adhesive to one side of the patch. Use the applicator that came with the adhesive or small paint brush.[12] Make sure you cover the entire surface of the patch. If the leak is small and in an area where a patch cannot make full contact with the mattress fabric, you can try plugging the leak with a small a bit of adhesive.
Press the patch, adhesive-side down, onto the tear or hole. Press firmly and smooth it out. The goal is get the patch to make full contact with the mattress. Consider weighting down the patch with a 10-pound weight to ensure full contact between the patch and the mattress. Let dry for several hours. Exact drying times will depend on which adhesive you’ve used. Refer to the directions on the package. Consider returning the mattress. If the mattress is new, a leak in the seam may indicate a defect or poor quality.You will need an air mattress repair kit or the equivalent components: a vinyl adhesive and a vinyl patch. When purchasing adhesives, look for urethane glues like McNett’s Seam Grip or Coleman’s Seam Sealer. Instead of urethane glue, you can try rubber cement. Cut a patch from a repair kit or a spare piece of vinyl so that it will cover the tear. Smear an ample amount of adhesive over the tear. Use the applicator that came with your adhesive or a small paint brush.
[20] Make sure the adhesive extends ¼ of an inch beyond the edges of the tear. If you’re fixing a seam on a flocked surface, use more adhesive to ensure that the two sides of the seam stick together. Press the two sides of the seam together. The goal is to make sure that both sides of the opening remain in contact while the adhesives sets up. Consider using clothespins to hold the two sides of the tear together. Just be careful not to glue the clothespins to the mattress. Let the adhesive dry almost completely.[23] This is called “setting up” and will take a few hours. Apply a layer of adhesive to the patch. Place the vinyl patch onto the newly applied rubber cement, following the instructions on your repair kit. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.[26] Drying times will vary depending on the adhesive but 6-8 hours is a good bet.Is there a hole or a crack? A hole will be easier to fix than a crack. If there’s a crack you might need to order a new valve from the air mattress manufacturer.
This is a long-shot method and may not always work. Often, a severely damaged valve means that you’ll need to buy a new mattress. Plug the hole by filling it with rubber cement or seam sealer.If the valve is leaking air because the valve plug isn’t properly sealing against the valve stem, you can line the stem with a thin piece of plastic to help it seal properly.If the valve is damaged beyond repair, order a new one from the manufacturer and replace it according to the instructions. Place a weight on the mattress.Our Rating: (8.6 / Out Of 10) When considering an air mattress for purchase, it is important to understand a few basic facts about all air mattresses. Though they are not made equally, all air mattresses are lacking in certain areas. All air mattresses eventually lose the ability to hold air after enough use. They can almost never be substituted permanently for a true mattress, as they will eventually need to be replaced. However, with this information in mind, it is important to consider why and how often the air mattress will be used.
ContentsColeman Double-High Quickbed ReviewComfort and FeaturesCheck The PriceSizeEase of UseDurabilityPros and ConsThe VerdictFollow UsRelated Articles90 Spectacular Modern Bedroom Ideas For The Creative MindTwin vs. Queen: Which Should You Choose?What Happens During Sleep?Mattress Durability Guide: How Long Does a Mattress Last?TEMPUR-Pedic Cloud Supreme Mattress Review This mattress is exceptionally comfortable compared to traditional, single-height air mattresses. Its taller size creates a more sturdy sleeping experience. The most comfortable night’s sleep is achieved by placing an added layer between the sleeper and the mattress top, such as a foam pad or even folded blanket. With this extra layer the mattress feels more like a real bed. The Coleman Double-High Quickbed is an excellent choice for most needs and uses. This air mattress is taller than conventional models, standing at 18 inches high once fully inflated. The model does not come with a pump, though due to its volume a pump is highly recommended.
Rather than having a separate bag in which to store the air mattress, there is an attached piece of fabric and strings. When the mattress is deflated, it can be folded or rolled to be contained within this fabric and its ties. The first night of use, the mattress vinyl will stretch a bit, causing it to appear slightly deflated. However, it is normal and expected for stretching to occur with any air mattress. If the mattress is left inflated for multiple days or week, it will require minimal-to-moderate refilling. Also within the first few uses, the mattress will likely have a rubbery odor because it is new from the factory. With some time airing the mattress out, especially while inflated, the odor should go away quickly. Regardless of whether another layer is added or not, sheets also improve the sleeping experience. Standard sheets fit on the mattress, though deep-pocket sheets work best. Because the Coleman Double-High Quickbed has a velvety top layer, most sheets grip well to the top and do not slip or come off the bed.
Adding sheets or a foam layer to the top also ensures that the sleeper is warm enough, as the mattress tends to remain fairly cool through the night, especially while camping. Available in both twin and queen sizes, this air mattresses sits high enough off the ground that getting on or off the bed is easy. Its height offers a sleeping experience less like sleeping on the floor and more like sleeping on a real bed, which is a perk for users. The added height is especially beneficial for individuals prone to back or hip pain who may have trouble getting up and down from lower-height beds and chairs. Storing the mattress is also convenient and easy because the storage device is physically connected to the mattress, making it impossible to misplace it. It is also fairly simple to fold or roll the mattress to fit within the storage flap. Often it is frustrating and difficult to try to roll a mattress to fit perfectly within its storage bag. However, the attached flap and strings make it much easier to manipulate and store this air mattress.
The biggest downfall with the Coleman Double-High Quickbed comes from extended and repeated use. The exact lifespan will vary from mattress to mattress depending on frequency of use, weight and distribution, activity on the mattress and so on. Though Coleman touts its double lock valve to prevent leaks, it is inevitable that the mattress will eventually lose ability to steadily hold air. Often a leak will spring from a hole resulting from a puncture, the valve or normal wear and tear. Another common issue is splits developing along the seams on the mattress, particularly the coil reproductions on the top. Sometimes these holes and splits are repairable with a simple patch kit or even superglue. However, a patch kit must be purchased separately. Depending on the severity of the leak, a patch may or may not solve the problem. It will certainly not be a permanent solution, but it could extend the life of the air mattress. Though the Coleman Double-High Quickbed has its downfalls, like eventual leaks and a limited lifespan, these are issues that any brand of air mattress develops.