
- Find the leak. The first step in fixing a leaking air mattress is ensuring there really is a leak. ...
- Clean and prep the area. Before you start the repair, it’s important to clean and dry the area around the leak. ...
- Patch the leak. Repairs are easiest with an air mattress patch kit, which you can buy online or in a brick-and-mortar store.
- Patching a ripped seam. A ripped seam cannot be patched, but it may still be repairable by sealing it with a hot glue gun. ...
How to fix a leak in a temporary air mattress?
How to Temporarily Fix Your Leaky Air Mattress
- Duct Tape. This is the first thing that you should grab when you suspect a leak in your air mattress and you don’t have a patch kit on hand.
- Superglue. You’ll need superglue in cases where a puncture has two edges that need to be held together. ...
- Nail Polish. If you don’t have any of the items above, but do have a selection of nail polish, you’re in luck. ...
What to do with a leaking air mattress?
Generally speaking, here’s how to go about applying a patch to a leaky air mattress:
- Completely deflate the air mattress and seal it closed.
- Ensure the leaky area is completely clean and dry.
- Adjust the mattress to ensure the leaky area is on a flat surface and fully exposed.
- Apply the patch to the affected area, ensuring there is at least half an inch of coverage around all sides of the leak.
How do you fix an air mattress leak?
How to Patch a Leak in an Air Mattress
- Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Finding Your Leak. Know that all air mattresses lose air naturally. ...
- Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Using a Patch Kit. Buy a patch kit. Almost every outdoor store will have these in the camping section. ...
- Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Patching Your Leak without a Patch Kit. Know that DIY fixes may void your warranty. ...
How can you fix an air mattress at home?
Materials and Tools You Will Need
- Gentle Cleanser: Dish soap or detergent helps with cleaning the area to be patched and with spotting the leak.
- Sponge or Cleaning Towel: You dampen the sponge or towel to cleanse the air mattress. ...
- Tissue: Placing a single tissue or paper towel on the mattress helps you to spot escaping air.

Will duct tape fix a hole in an air mattress?
#6 Patch a Hole With Duct Tape Finally, if you need to fix a hole in an air mattress without a patch kit and you don't have any adhesive by your side, use duct tape. Cut a piece large enough to cover the puncture and some space around it and apply it to the degreased surface.
What is the best glue to repair an air mattress?
Make a DIY Repair Cut a rounded-edge patch at least an inch larger on all sides than the puncture. After you have thoroughly cleaned the problem area, use a strong adhesive like E6000 to adhere the patch to the mattress. Smooth out air bubbles and weigh down with books for at least eight hours.
Will Gorilla tape patch an air mattress?
Is Gorilla tape good for an air mattress? Gorilla waterproof patch and seal tape works on vinyl and can be used similarly to duct tape. Do not add glue to the tape. Gorilla tape may damage the air mattress when removed, so don't use it if you plan to apply a patch kit later.
Can you use Gorilla Glue on air mattress?
6:007:37How to use Brown Gorilla Glue to Patch Air Bed Leaks Busted Seams ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this is a simple repair that you can do at home with gorilla glue and our canvas patch repairMoreAnd this is a simple repair that you can do at home with gorilla glue and our canvas patch repair kit. Again if you've blown a scene.
Can Super Glue fix a hole in an air mattress?
Any thin plastic material will work. When making your own patch, be sure to make it big enough so that it completely covers the leaky area and actually overlaps it to ensure air tightness. Use super glue, gorilla glue, contact or rubber cement, or even epoxy as your adhesive.
Can flex seal patch an air mattress?
Can I use Flex Seal to fix a hole in an air mattress? Yes. Spray the hole with the Flex Seal, cut a square out of a thin shirt or cloth, and place on the puddle of Flex Seal. Then, let the cloth soak up Flex Seal, smooth it out with your finger, let dry, and spray again with the Flex Seal.
How do you fix the fabric side of an air mattress?
1:042:04How To Patch A Leak On The Suede Side Of An Air Mattress - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake the glue. Put it on the hole. And quickly take the rubber side of the sand patch spread. AroundMoreTake the glue. Put it on the hole. And quickly take the rubber side of the sand patch spread. Around that glue. Peel that patch off of the aluminum.
Does Gorilla tape stop air leaks?
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape instantly seals out water, air, and moisture. With an extra thick adhesive layer and UV resistant backing this tape conforms to form a permanent bond indoors and out. At 4" wide use it to patch holes, cracks, gaps and tears, even underwater.
Can hot glue fix airbed?
The best way to repair a hole in a leaky vinyl air mattress is with a repair kit designed for the product, but hot glue can stop the air leakage and temporarily repair the damage in an emergency.
How to fix a mattress that is leaking?
First, fully inflate your mattress and place it upright against a wall, with the bottom facing you. Close ly examine the surface, looking for any sign of damage. Check seams, as small cracks frequently appear in these areas. Gently press on the mattress, and listen for the sound of air escaping.
How to find a leak in a mattress?
The best way to locate a leak is to apply a soapy sponge to the surface of a fully-inflated mattress. Watch for any areas where bubbles form and grow, indicating a possible leak. Alternatively, you can fully inflate the mattress, and simply listen for the sound of escaping air.
How long does it take for a mattress patch to dry?
Once the patch is applied, place a heavy, flat object on it to ensure the edges don’t curl up. Allow the patch to dry for at least 8 hours. Carefully inflate the mattress, testing for leaks.
Why is my air mattress sagging?
If your air mattress is sagging excessively or losing air at night, it’ s possible that it has a leak. Depending on the type of leak, this can be relatively easy to fix. The guide below covers how to fix a leaky air mattress in a simple step-by-step breakdown.
How to get rid of bubbles on air mattress?
Apply some dish soap to a clean kitchen sponge, rub it between your hands to get it very sudsy, and squeeze out most of the water. Rub the sponge all over the surface of the air mattress, and watch closely for growing bubbles. If an area produces larger bubbles, it’s likely that the leak is coming from this area. 3.
What to use to fix a leaky shower curtain?
The best materials to use are thin, flexible plastic materials , such as shower curtain liners. Cut a patch to match the size of the leaky area, ensuring that there is about a half-inch of material on all sides of the hole. Choose an adhesive and coat the perimeter of the patch with it.
How to fix a leaking mattress?
Try mixing a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent in a bowl of water. Use a sponge to spread the soapy water over the mattress. Bubbles will appear from the leaking area. ...
How to check if an air mattress is leaking?
1. Listen and look for the leak in the air mattress. If you don’t know where the hole is, keep the air mattress inflated as you look. Holes most often appear on the bottom or in the seams, so stand the mattress up against a wall to check. Listen for the sound of rushing air to detect tiny leaks.
How to repair a torn shirt?
Make sure the torn area is cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol first. Cut a patch out of an old shirt or another cloth. Use super glue and weigh the patch down for at least 6 hours, if possible. This patch isn't as durable as plastic or rubber patches, but it will hold up until you can make more repairs.
How to repair a tear in an air mattress?
To make a temporary repair to an air mattress, clean the tear and cover it with duct tape, or fill it with hot glue. Additionally, you can create a patch with a T-shirt by cutting a piece to fit over the tear, and glue it to the mattress with super glue.
How to fix a mattress leak with glue gun?
A glue gun can plug small leaks, but be careful not to let the gun touch the mattress. Warm up the gun, then hold the tip above the hole. Slowly move the gun over the hole until it is filled. The glue gun can melt the mattress, so keep the tip away from it.
What glue do you use to patch a mattress?
You can use a rubber glove to smooth the glue in order to ensure the patch stays flat against the mattress. Other strong glues, such as super glue, contact cement, or epoxy, may also work. You can also find glue that is specifically designed for surfaces such as air mattresses, pool floats, or whitewater rafts.
How to detect a leak in a mattress?
Try mixing a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent in a bowl of water. Use a sponge to spread the soapy water over the mattress. Bubbles will appear from the leaking area.
How to Check An Air Bed For Leaks
Air leaks can happen without warning. To prevent your air bed from completely deflating, you need to ensure there is enough light and space to perform a repair.
How To Fix An Air Mattress Valve Leak
As previously mentioned, the most common locations for leaks are fabric seams or near the valve. Depending on the location of the leak, the repair methods will differ slightly. If your air bed requires a brand specific valve then you will probably get installation instructions with your purchase, like this user manual from Intex.
How to Repair an Air Leak with a Patching Kit
Air beds tend to gradually lose firmness during the night but if your air bed is rapidly losing air and deflating quickly then it probably has a leak. Read our article for more information about why air beds lose air and how to fix this problem. Most air beds come with a small patch repair kit included for emergency repairs.
Air Bed Repair Kits Available On The Market
If your air bed does not come with a repair kit, there are several options available online.
How To Fix A Hole In An Air Mattress Without A Patch
If you are out camping and your air mattress suddenly develops a leak there are some temporary solutions to repair the leak if you don’t have a repair kit handy.
Disclosures
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How to find air leaks in mattress?
The first way to try to track it down is simply by listening. Inflate the mattress, and then get down to its level and start listening for that tell-tale hiss of air. Start at the bottom of the mattress – as that is where most air mattress leaks occur – and work your way up. Do not lie on the air mattress as you do this though, ...
Why does my air mattress leak?
And for lots of reasons. Anything from too much weight being applied to it to cat claws and puppy feet and even sharp zippers on clothing can lead to a puncture in an air mattress.
What to do if talc sprays up on air mattress?
If the talc sprays up, you may need to try the fix again. If the patch lifts as you press that means the adhesive has not set, and you will need to apply a little more and then go through the curing process from step 6 again. If none of these things occur everything looks good, inflate your air mattress.
How to clean air mattress with soap?
Create a mixture of simple dish detergent and water and add it to a clean spray bottle. Ensure the air mattress is as inflated as possible (given that it has a leak some place that may not be fully) and then, working in small sections from the bottom of the mattress up spray the bed lightly with the soap mixture.
How long do air mattresses last?
Ideally, with occasional use a superior quality air mattress may last for ten to fifteen years. A lower quality model – one without a protective top or thin seams – or an air mattress used on a very regular basis, will naturally have a shorter lifespan.
Can a mattress deflate if it is hole free?
You should also keep an eye on the inflation valve. Over time these may come loose , and even if the mattress is hole and tear free the bed will deflate far sooner than it should. Valves are a much harder fix, and if yours fails it may be time to retire the mattress itself.
Can you fix a leaky air mattress?
Can a leaky air mattress be fixed? The answer is yes, if you know how, and you make the repair as soon as you notice the problem. Air mattresses can be incredibly useful – they are great for kids’ slumber parties and for offering guests a more comfortable night’s sleep than they might get on your sofa.
How to fix a mattress that is leaking?
To fix the leak, you need to locate the hole and clean the area. Then, use an adhesive and some plastic or vinyl patches to cover the leak. After letting the patch set for several hours, you can test the patch to ensure the mattress is no longer leaking.
What to use to clean a leaky air mattress?
Gentle Cleanser: Dish soap or detergent helps with cleaning the area to be patched and with spotting the leak. Sponge or Cleaning Towel: You dampen the sponge or towel to cleanse the air mattress. It is also helpful when trying to find the hole.
How to clean a mattress that has a leak?
To ensure that the patch and adhesive stick to the surface, it’s best to clean it. Using a wet cleaning cloth, moisten the area around the leak. Then apply a gentle cleanser like dish soap or detergent and use the cloth to gently scrub the surface. Rinse off the cloth and use it to wipe away the soap from the mattress.
How to keep a mattress patch from slipping?
This will keep the patch from slipping and make sure that the adhesive fully clings to the surface. Ensure that there is not any excess glue around the edges of the patch that could possibly cause the mattress to adhere to the heavy object.
How to patch a hole in an air mattress?
Generally, you want the patch to be big enough to cover the hole with an added half-inch of plastic around the hole. Place a layer of adhesive around the outer edge of the patch. Carefully press the patch onto the surface of the air mattress, completely covering the hole.
What to put on air mattress to stop air from escaping?
Tissue: Placing a single tissue or paper towel on the mattress helps you to spot escaping air. Manufacturer’s Patch Kit: Many air mattresses come with a patch kit. Generally, these kits contain an adhesive, applicator, and patches that match your air mattress material.
What does it mean when an air mattress doesn't stay inflated?
All air mattresses lose some inflation over time. But, if you’ve noticed that your air mattress doesn’t stay inflated or loses too much air, it probably means you have a hole. Luckily, air mattress repair is typically an easy process with either a patch kit or a DIY method. To fix the leak, you need to locate the hole ...

Confirm The Leak
Locate The Source
- Air mattress leaks are usually caused by a small hole or tear in the vinyl. In some cases, the source of a leak could also be a damaged gasket. Either way, the next step is to locate the source. Rips and tears will usually be quick to locate. For smaller holes, there are a few strategies to implement. First, fully inflate your mattress and place it upright against a wall, with the bottom f…
Clean & Mark The Leaky Area
- Once you’ve located the source of the leak, clean the area thoroughly. Allow it to air-dry completely. Using a marker, gently circle the area of the leak so that you don’t lose track of it. To get a patch to stick properly, you want as smooth of a surface as possible. If the air mattress has a rough or ribbed surface, you may need to gently sand it...
Patch The Leak
- Once the affected area is clean and fully dry, it’s time to patch the leak. Here are a few ways to do this, listed in order of effectiveness: 1. Using the patch kit that came with your air mattress 2. Using a third-party air mattress patch kit that you can purchase online 3. Using a bike tire patch kit 4. Using a homemade patch made from a thin plastic material, such as a shower curtain If you pl…