How to fix a hole in an air mattress. Repair of air mattresses Intex

Detailed information on how to repair a Chinese air mattress for swimming at home: how to fix it, how to properly seal a hole, what is the best way to patch damage and punctures, how to make a patch yourself.

Air mattresses are an excellent option for additional furniture in your apartment, which is easy to transport or remove altogether if the sleeping place was needed only for a few nights. Such products do not take up much space and allow you to get quality rest while sleeping. The comfortable covering made of flock and cotton gives this type of lounger a separate advantage.

The main and main disadvantage of inflatable furniture is its susceptibility to surface damage. If the puncture (or cut) is minor, it is necessary to repair the mattress by correcting the existing damage. Often there is a feeling of confusion and the question arises of how to seal an inflatable product at home. To determine the correct method of repairing the product, you need to carefully examine the location of the damage and understand the cause of the puncture, then choose glue for air mattresses.

How to identify the location of a flaw (puncture, cut)?

Often the location of the damage is not immediately noticeable, since even a small puncture can cause the mattress to deflate. If the surface defect is not noticeable from the outside, you can try the following methods to identify the problem area:

Place the inflated mattress in a natural or artificial body of water. This action cannot be carried out at home; the test will be carried out outdoors, or in large premises (for example, industrial complexes);
Determining damage using a soap solution. To do this, mix the soap concentrate with water in a ratio of one to one and apply this solution to the surface to be tested. Where there is a defect, the foam will begin to form bubbles;
Identify the error inside the mattress. This method is considered more complex compared to the previous ones. That is why the first two methods are priority. In case of failure, we use the third option for identifying the problem area. First, we deflate the product if it is inflated, after which we fill it with a soap solution in a volume of 5 liters and add air. We turn the product over and observe where water flows out with soap bubbles, which are formed due to the composition of the solution and the pressure on it. After finding a flaw, mark the area with a color mark (marker or pen). The disadvantage of this method is the following: after determining the damage, it is necessary to remove the remaining soap solution and dry the air mattress, and only then begin repairs.

Types of defects and their causes

Air mattresses can suffer for a number of reasons:

Children's carelessness;
Because of pets;
Accidental exposure to objects or plants with sharp parts that are located near the mattress;
Excessive filling of the product volume with air.

How to seal a hole in an air mattress with your own hands at home?

If your purchase is made from a large furniture company, then there is a high probability that the mattress will include special repair tools. Most often, such repair kits contain: patches of various sizes and a reliable adhesive composition (intended for PVC products). This reserve will definitely not become superfluous during long-term operation.

On a note! If such means are not available, you can seal the air mattress using other analogues. Use glue (for example, “Moment”), soapy water, pieces of rubber for patches, acetone (or gasoline). Before starting work, identify the location of the flaw.

How to properly seal a mattress?

It is better to start correcting defects on the product by degreasing the surface of the mattress itself and the patch used. Then you need to apply glue to the surface of the product and wait for five minutes before connecting to the patch element. Then we press the patch with glue to the damaged area and, for better fixation, leave a load on it for one day. Most often, repairs are quite easy. After 24 hours, when the glue has dried, we complete the process by treating the surface of the product with soap foam. This action will allow us to understand and evaluate the result of the repair and ensure that the puncture has been eliminated. If air still continues to escape to the surface in the form of bubbles, then you need to remove the patch and re-glue it.

Be careful during the repair process

First of all, this concerns maintaining comfortable conditions in the room where the process of eliminating the defect itself takes place. The glue contains toxic harmful substances. A high concentration of toxic fumes from glue can cause chemical poisoning in humans. It is better to carry out repairs in the fresh air, or make sure that the room is regularly ventilated.

If glue gets on the skin, it must be completely removed. If the adhesive composition gets on the mucous membranes, immediately seek help from a specialist.

Also, do not forget about the safety of children and our little brothers - store the glue in a safe place.

An air mattress is not only a good solution for water activities, but also an alternative to a bed. At home it can be used to accommodate guests. Such products are compact and, when folded, take up virtually no free space.

They are durable, especially if handled with care. But even in case of a puncture, can be sealed air mattress yourself. For repairs, you will need inexpensive materials available in construction and hardware stores, a minimum set of tools and available materials.

Should you repair your mattress yourself?

The mattress can be damaged both during rest - by branches, stones or even sand, and at home, for example, due to pets. But there is no need to get rid of it. For DIY restoration you need patches and glue. By following the instructions, you can seal an air mattress at home no worse than professional craftsmen.

It is easy to seal a rubber product; it is much more difficult to find a hole in an air mattress. As a rule, it is very small; it is difficult to find it by visual inspection and by sound. First of all, you need to check the valve. It could wear out and start leaking air.

In 90% of cases, holes form in mattresses at the seams. The next most common are damage to the lower surface. It is often damaged by debris present in nature or in a body of water, but it can also get punctured at home.

First of all, you should decide with the site of damage. First you need to visually inspect the entire product. If the puncture cannot be identified, several more effective methods are used.

Finding the damaged area

Often it is visually impossible to find a hole in the rubber due to its elasticity. But, with severe damage, such places are noticeable. If it is visible visually, place the back of your hand against it to check. If there is a hole, you will feel a cool air flow.

Better wet your hand in water. This makes it easier to detect the air flow, since air bubbles should appear when you apply the brush. There is no need to rush; examine the surface in detail; several holes may have formed.

Immersion in water

If the defect is discovered directly on the pond, the mattress should be inflated and immersed in water. To create additional pressure, you can sit on the product. Bubbles should come out of the hole formed. The place where they come out is the damage.

Using soap solution

Bubbles will be more noticeable if used soapy water. You can simply treat the entire mattress with soap using a sponge or cloth. Both regular and liquid soap will do. It is more convenient to work with the latter, since it already has a liquid consistency.

Add a little soap to the water and run the washcloth over the entire product. Pay special attention to the seams. Bubbles will begin to appear even from small holes.

By sound

A puncture can be found by its characteristic sound. But, it is advisable to do this in a quiet place, without distracting noise. Inflate the product and lean against it in different places. There will be a characteristic hissing sound at the puncture site.

Liquid filling

Due to its inconvenience, this method is rarely used, but in difficult cases it can be more effective. The mattress must be filled with water. If there is a gap, liquid will flow through it. You can fill the product using a watering can.

The disadvantage of this method is the difficulty of subsequent drying of the internal cavity. The design is almost completely sealed, so even with the valve open, the product will take a long time to dry. Therefore, it is recommended to resort to this option only in summer in warm weather to speed up drying.

May remain on the mattress white stains. If this is not critical, follow these steps:

deflate;
prepare water with a small amount of soap (you can use plain water, but soap is more effective);
pour approximately 3 liters of liquid into the mattress. When working with large models, a larger volume may be required;
inflate the mattress tightly;
Turn the product over several times so that the solution is distributed along the inner walls. The breach will be noticeable by the hissing and flow of water;
Use a marker, chalk or soap to mark the piercing.

Preparing the surface for gluing

The rubber at the site of damage must be cleaned of dirt. The surface must be completely dry. Don't dry the mattress hairdryer or heating devices, this may damage the material.

If a hole forms on the fleecy side, the area must be lightly sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. This is necessary to ensure a tight fit of the patch and improve glue adhesion.

Degrease the cleaned area. You can use alcohol, acetone (nail polish remover will do) or similar non-aggressive solvents. You can use a small amount of gasoline.

Tools and materials

There are several ways to seal an air mattress. The best option is to use a special repair kit. The Intex company produces such restoration kits of its products. Set includes:

transparent vinyl film;
flock patch;
glue.

The set comes with instructions. Repair kits are sold in stores specializing in the sale of mattresses and auto parts. It is advisable to buy 1-2 sets when purchasing the product. The set is compact, you can take it with you on vacation if necessary.

If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made set, you should resort to available materials:

the patch can be made from any piece of rubber - old inner tubes, children's toys, circles, etc.;
For gluing, you can use any glue for rubber products. But do not use superglue, it will damage the material.

To complete the work, you need scissors, fine-grain sandpaper, a brush for applying the adhesive, and a marker for making marks.

Glue selection

There are a lot of adhesives on the market designed for working with rubber. But, can not use products with instant gluing effect. They usually contain a substance that corrodes rubber.

The moment is universal

One of the most popular glues. Suitable for both rubber and other materials, including plastic, ceramics, wood and others. The joint reaches maximum strength in 24 hours.

Polyurethane shoe glue

Polyurethane based adhesive solution. It is also sold under the name “Desmokol”. An effective remedy for recovery leather goods, but it also glues rubber parts well.

PVC glue

An effective solution for PVC products. Also suitable for air mattresses. The advantage is that there is no need to use a separate patch. It is formed by the adhesive composition itself during polymerization, due to which it received the name “Liquid patch”.

Not affected by moisture. Available in various colors, which allows you to repair any product without compromising its aesthetic qualities.

Super Moment

Composition based on natural rubber. But it is better not to use it to restore rubber mattresses. After hardening, it acquires a very hard structure and may crumble during further use, including damaging the mattress material.

Rubber glue

Apply on both bonded surfaces. After application, you need to wait 2-5 minutes, attach the parts and squeeze tightly. It is advisable to leave the connection under pressure for some time. Complete hardening occurs after a day.

Making a patch

The size of the patch should completely cover the hole, capturing a little of the surrounding intact material. But you shouldn’t make it too large, as this will create additional stress on the tires. Before gluing the patch and the damaged area, be sure to degreased.

If there are several gaps located nearby, they can be sealed with one large patch. But, it should completely cover the damaged area and have a small margin.

Sealing the surface

The thickness of the glue layer depends on its type, so you need to follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Thus, “Moment” is applied in a thicker layer, and “Desmokol” is applied as thinly as possible. After application, you should wait a while for the adhesive to dry a little.

Apply the patch to the damage and press firmly for 2 minutes. Try to press the entire part at once, preventing it from moving. The mattress can be used after the glue has hardened; the specific time is always indicated in the instructions.

Sealing seams

The seams can usually be sealed by pouring glue. It is important to wait until it hardens completely. The layer turns out to be thick, so you will have to wait a while, preferably at least a day. There is a more complex but effective solution:

the damaged part of the product must be turned out through the valve hole;
degrease the damaged seam;
wait for the product to dry;
cut out a patch from rubberized material and treat with glue;
Press the part firmly against the defective seam.

Using this method, you should not rush to use the product. Leave it for at least 12 hours. After the glue has polymerized, turn the product back inside and inflate it to check.

If the restoration does not work, try to close the gap again. Do not dismantle the patch, but stick an additional larger one on top of it. Be especially careful to coat the edges of the patch with glue. Peeling of the part usually begins at the edges.

To prevent the patch from peeling off after repair, sand it with sandpaper and completely cover it with glue.

How to avoid new damage?

Not recommended transport the mattress in an inflated state. If you don’t want to deflate it every time, at a minimum you need to carefully carry it in your hands, trying not to catch third-party objects. Select a separate place for it at home, preferably inaccessible to children and animals. Store the product only dry. If the mattress is used at home as a guest bed, store it in its original packaging and deflate it when not needed.

Every modern family has an air mattress. It serves as a bed for unexpectedly arriving guests; it can be taken on vacation: it is useful for swimming, can be used as a bed, and is comfortable for sunbathing.

But sometimes on vacation the problem of air deflation arises, let's see how to solve it,how to seal an air mattress.

In contact with

Product Features

An air mattress is a cavity made of a special material of various sizes, which, when filled with air, is converted into a sleeping place. They come in single and one-and-a-half sizes, but there are also wider air beds. They also differ in height - there are large models up to 50 cm, and small ones up to 23 cm.

They have become firmly established among students, nomadic groups, and those who do not have permanent housing and are forced to move frequently. It is also good to have an air bed if the area of the apartment is small, so that you can put it away in the closet in the morning.

The presented products are made of polyvinyl chloride - this is a fairly soft elastic material, but, unfortunately, prone to easy damage.

Therefore, every home should know how to implementair mattress repair.

For those who cannot stand the chemical smell, environmentally friendly ones are available.mattresses without glue and odor.

They are often purchased for children or elderly people who react painfully to various chemical components.

Attention!A high mattress can be used as a permanent sleeping place by covering it with a blanket. In this form it looks like a regular bed.

Such products are indispensable on vacation; you can sleep on them, sunbathe and swim.

Valve Troubleshooting

If there is no damage to the product in the form of holes or cuts, and it gradually releases air, then the reason lies in a malfunction of the valve. Ifair mattress repair shopis far away, you can fix the problem yourself at home, following the step-by-step instructions:

Fill the product with air and lubricate the valve with soap foam. If it allows air to pass through, foam will appear around it.
Then you need to remove the adjacent valve, and then the rubber gasket.
The end of the valve must be sanded with fine sandpaper and lubricated with silicone grease.
Then place the valve in its original place and inflate the product again to check.

Serious valve damage can only be repaired in a workshop. With such a simple task,how to fix an air mattress, any owner can handle it.

How to detect a puncture

Preliminary repair requires studying the issue,how to find a hole in an inflatable question, because it is this unfortunate nuisance that becomes the cause of ruined rest and sleep. There are several methods for searching:

Tactile. This puncture detection method does not have any available materials. The mattress must be well inflated and your hands should be held above its surface at a height of 2-3 cm. At the location of the hole, your hands will feel a trickle of air. To increase sensitivity, hands should be moistened with plain water.Also, the puncture site can be detected by ear - hissing and whistling will be heard from the damage.
Soapy. Dilute a strong soap solution and then apply it to the surface with a sponge. Bubbles will form at the location of the puncture; mark it with a marker.
Submersible. Small mattresses can simply be immersed in a container of water and see where air bubbles emerge from.
Water. In this method, water is poured into the mattress - a small amount is used. The mattress needs to be shaken and then inspected. If a wet spot is found on its surface, then this is where the puncture is located.

Advice!You need to start looking for damage from the valve, and then from the side seams: they are the ones that suffer most from overload. Next, you need to check the lower part, which is in contact with the ground or floor, because it is more susceptible to punctures.

Preparation for repair

Before starting repairs, it is necessary to prepare its surface for work. First, the mattress must be deflated and thoroughly dried.

You need to know how to deflate mattresses correctly. In simple models, it is enough to open the valve and wait a certain time. You cannot press or crush it.

Other models do this differently.

For example, it is necessary to know exactlyhow to deflate a BESTWAY mattress, because it has a special damper installed that prevents the mattress from deflating if the valve cover is accidentally opened.

In this case, you need to open the lid and move the plate to the side, then the air will escape.

Now the puncture sites must be degreased with alcohol, acetone or gasoline. The flock coating will have to be removed, that is, carefully cut off. Rubber or plastic does not require additional processing or cleaning.

Preparing the patch

In making a patch you should knowhow to seal an air mattress. If there is no material suitable for repair at hand, then any piece of thin rubber will do. You can take a piece from a car or bicycle tube, a children's toy, or any rubberized object. You can also make a patch from cotton fabric pre-impregnated with rubber glue.

What glue is suitable for repairs?

For product repair, it is importantwhat glue to use to seal an air mattress. There are many adhesives, each designed for working with a specific type of material.

Experts advise choosing universal varieties, rubber and PVC composition.Once dry, the glue should form a strong, elastic and waterproof connecting layer.

Glue should be used in minimal quantities so that the layer is thin - excess will not help glue the rubber parts. For repairs, it is recommended to use the following types of glue:

Moment. This is a universal adhesive; it bonds almost any material: rubber, plastic, PVC, fabric and much more.
Polyurethane shoe material. This is a reliable adhesive; it forms a strong layer between the gluing surfaces. Only when applying glue should the surfaces be connected and dried with a hair dryer.
Glue for PVC. Air mattresses are often made from polyvinyl chloride, so this type of glue is best suited for them. It is necessary to glue by applying 2 layers to both surfaces, after which the composition is left to stand for 20 minutes.
Super moment. Fast-acting adhesives are also suitable for repairing this product, but contain substances that damage the surface.Its main disadvantage is premature hardening and fragility during product operation.When the mattress dries, cracking of the adhesive mass may be detected on the folds, which will again lead to the need to make repairs.
Real rubber glue. When gluing, it does not leave stains. It is necessary to apply two layers of glue to the surface, let it dry, then connect the surfaces and place a load on them for a day.

Advice!If you don’t have a wide choice at hand, you can patch with any glue. It is important to follow the instructions for gluing surfaces.

What is needed for repair

Now we should talk abouthow to seal an air mattress at home, what tools and tools will be required for this? If there is no special repair kit, then any available materials will do:

universal glue “Moment”;
flaps of thin rubber;
alcohol or acetone;
fabric gloves;
glue brush;
marker;
soap or shampoo;
water;
fine sandpaper.

The listed materials are almost always available in the house, so it is not necessary to purchase a special repair kit, because it is quite expensive.

How to seal a puncture

Having found and identified all the defects, you can begin repairs yourself. We offer step-by-step instructions,how to glue an air mattress:

Remove the air from the mattress, straighten it and carefully lay out the area to be repaired on a level place.
Use sandpaper to carefully clean the bonding areas on the mattress and on the patch.
Cleaned areas must be degreased with any available means.
Apply a thin layer of glue to the prepared surface of the product and patch with a brush and let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
Place the patch on the damaged part and let the glue dry overnight.

Important:You can place a small weight on the patch. A day later, the repaired mattress is inflated with air, and the tightness is checked by lubricating the repair area with soap foam.

There remains one more significant point,how to seal an air mattress on the velor side, because in this situation the above repair technology will not work. This applies to mattresses from the popular brand Itex and other manufacturers. To apply a patch to such a product, you need to do this:

Clean the velor surface to the size of the patch. To do this, moisten the surface with acetone and clean off the lint with a blunt knife;
Wipe the smooth surface again with acetone, and then you can apply glue;
Allow the glue to dry and apply the prepared patch to the surface in the same way. Press it onto the surface of the mattress and let it dry overnight.

Advice!How and how to seal an Intex air mattress? The patch can be applied from the inside. In this case, the damaged area is pushed out through the valve and sealed in the usual way. The inside surface is rubber and does not require additional processing.

Repairing large holes and cuts

How to seal a hole in an air mattress, if it is more than 5 mm. In this situation, repairing it yourself may be impossible; it is better to entrust it to specialists. In specialized workshops, repairs to the inside of the product and sealing of large cuts and holes are carried out using special equipment.

Seam damage repair

Complex issuehow to seal an air mattress along the seam,Experts will help you decide.

Home repairs may not work out, so if there is a workshop nearby, it is better to take the mattress to a specialist. Damage along the seam is repaired from the inside of the mattress.

To do this, the torn section of the seam is squeezed out through the valve, and then you can begin repairs, following the instructions:

Wipe the rubber surface with alcohol to degrease.
Leave for complete drying - during this time, cut out a suitable patch, which is also wiped with alcohol.
Lubricate the sides to be joined with glue and attach them to each other.
Press them tightly and leave to dry for 12 hours.

Once the glue dries, turn the mattress out and inflate with air.This is necessary to check the quality of self-repair.

Damage Prevention

To ensure that the mattress is no longer damaged, it is recommended to follow the following operating rules:

Before throwing the mattress on the ground, remove all sharp objects or place a thick cloth under it.
Do not inflate the product too much.
Protect the product from the claws of pets.
You should not drag an inflated mattress along the ground, especially when a person is on it.
It is prohibited to jump or sit suddenly on the mattress.
The air must be released slowly.
Wash with soapy water.
Before folding the mattress and placing it in the closet, it must be thoroughly dried.

As can be seen from the above,how to seal an air bed– the process is completely simple; you can completely handle the repair of the product yourself. Even better is to prevent such damage. But if a puncture occurs, do not despair - everything is in your hands.

An inflatable PVC mattress or an air bed is a useful thing, both for outdoor recreation and as a spare sleeping place for overnight guests, and sometimes even your loved one. But besides convenience, there is also a drawback to Intex or any other air mattresses: they must be handled carefully to avoid punctures, cuts or tears, and this is true for both the velor top of the mattress and the base made of polyvinyl chloride. A puncture or rupture is sometimes noticed when waking up prematurely from the body touching the floor of the room. Or if you fail to inflate the mattress tightly after storage. Such an unexpected event immediately causes confusion: what to do, how to repair, how to seal, or how to fix an air mattress with your own hands? Where can I find the patch? What glue should I use? You don't have to look for a workshop! You can seal an air mattress with your own hands.

How to seal an air mattress with your own hands

First of all, you need to prepare a repair kit: PVC glue, patches, sandpaper (fine grain), degreasing agent. Glue and patches are included with each mattress, it’s good if they are preserved. When unused, the included tube of glue can retain its contents for 2-3 years without drying out. How to properly repair and what is the best way to glue patches onto an air mattress? If the glue is lost or dried out, it will be replaced, for example, by the “Crystal” polyurethane glue of the “Moment” series. You can also use professional glue. PVC mattress shell - glues very well and quickly with polyurethane shoe glue (desmacol, bokikol, sar, etc.). “Crystal” also belongs to polyurethane, but it is more difficult to work with, since, unlike shoe glue, the glue does not allow thermal activation of the adhesive film and, accordingly, requires more time before the mattress can be used. It won't happen quickly. You can get around this drawback by violating the gluing technology described by the manufacturer and fulfilling certain conditions, namely: apply glue to both surfaces and dry completely, for about 20 - 30 minutes, then either “activate” the adhesive film by applying 5- 7% solution of glue in acetone or ethyl acetate, or by applying a thin layer of glue and drying until it is tack-free - when the glue stops being liquid, and putting the surfaces together, squeeze firmly. For gluing, compression force is more important than time under pressure. This scheme allows you to use the product an hour after gluing, but requires skill to “catch” the active phase of the glue.

If there are no patches, some inexpensive inflatable toy for children made of PVC material can serve as a replacement material. We cut out a patch in the shape of a circle from the toy. Sandpaper can be purchased at a hardware store. Degreaser - alcohol or gasoline.

We are looking for a hole, hole, puncture, tear or torn seam in the mattress. We need to be optimistic and patient. I offer the following simple instructions for finding a puncture and repairing an air mattress:

1. In a quiet room or room, inflate the mattress as tightly as reasonably possible.

2. We listen and try to localize the leak area by the sound of escaping air.

3. Carefully examine the leak area, for example, slowly moving your palm at a distance of 1-3 cm from the surface to localize the hole hole. A thin stream of air will “cool” your palm.

4. If the hole or holes are noticeable, mark them with a ballpoint pen or felt-tip pen.

5. Very small holes are sometimes difficult to notice, then you will need to use a soap solution, the place of the bubble is also marked.

6. For INTEX mattresses, the sore spot is the valve, so the release of air is not always the result of a puncture; the valve is also checked with soap and water. Attention! Do not check the valve of the built-in pump this way or dry it thoroughly before turning it on.

6. A patch of the required size is prepared; the edge of the patch should be no closer than 15 mm from the hole.

7. The repair area is dried, cleaned with sandpaper, and the patch is also cleaned. You can try to clean the fleecy surface with a cotton swab soaked in acetone.

8. Apply the patch to the glued area and trace its contours on the mattress, this will allow you to carefully apply the glue.

9. Degrease the gluing area and blow the air out of the mattress. To speed things up, you can rearrange the hose on the pump or use a vacuum cleaner.

10. Apply glue to the marked place on the mattress and to the patch.

Place for glue

11. After applying the Crystal glue, pause for 5-10 minutes and strongly compress the patch and the surface of the mattress. Of course, the surface of the mattress is not always smooth. The compression density during gluing can be ensured as follows: We try to lay the canvas at the gluing site on a flat surface. Quickly, without forming bubbles, we roll the patch onto the gluing site, place a piece of polyethylene on the patch, then a piece of foam film 3-5 mm thick, slightly larger than the size of the patch, and place a weight on top. It is better to work out this sequence of actions before gluing. After installing the weight, you need to press firmly on the gluing area for 5-15 seconds and leave the gluing alone for several hours.

Pie for patch

Over time, inflatable accessories for recreation and tourism lose their strength, and this happens for various reasons: due to punctures, cracks, careless handling. How to seal an air mattress to restore its practicality and extend its service life? Read about the selection of glue, quick detection of defects, repair rules, as well as useful tips for handling air mattresses.

How to detect damage

An air mattress is a universal thing both on a hike and at home. It is indispensable in a tent, on the beach, or as a spare bed for guests. Mattresses are made from thin material, thanks to which the item weighs little and is easy to transport. For the same reason, the products are not very durable: they can be easily pierced by a stone, a branch, or simply torn; the mattress will not withstand the claws of an animal.

Damage to an air mattress can also be caused by excessive air inflation. Due to stress, microcracks appear on the surface, more often at seams and other joints.

If the mattress deflates quickly, then you need to look for the damage. There are several ways to detect a hole:

Inflate the mattress completely. Turn off all sources of noise and listen. If there is a hole, it will give itself away with a whistling sound. To determine the exact location, move your hand near the sound source. You will feel a thin and cold stream of air. To find it faster, wet your palm with water.
Immerse the mattress in water: air bubbles will appear at the puncture site. This method makes it easier to find the location of the defect, but it is not convenient for home use, since a bulky mattress cannot be placed in a bathtub or basin. It is recommended to carry out work to detect bubbles in water in a pool or pond.
Another way: beat water and detergent into soap foam, scoop it up with a brush or sponge and apply a thick layer to the surface of the air mattress. The product must be tightly inflated, otherwise the method will not work. If there is a puncture, it will begin to bubble. If the approximate location of the damage is known, you can apply shaving foam to it.
If the mattress has a fleecy surface, the soap solution will not foam well. For such surfaces there is a dry method: cover with starch, flour or something powdery and light. Together with the air, the layer of powder will be blown away.

Once the damage is found, outline it with chalk or a marker so you don't lose it. Be sure to dry the mattress completely before repairing it.

Surface and patch preparation

Repair of air mattresses is carried out only on a dry and compressed surface. If you neglect this rule, the quality of the repair will leave much to be desired. First of all, the product is thoroughly dried, then cleaned of dust and dirt. The next stage is degreasing. The mattress at the damaged area is wiped with gasoline, alcohol or acetone. If the product has flock (such a covering forms the upper side of the famous Intex mattresses), then the fluff is removed. This can be done with fine-grit sandpaper or acetone.

Mattress manufacturers have taken into account possible damage. There are special repair kits on sale that include a patch and glue. You can buy them immediately with an air mattress. The advantage of such a repair kit is that the patch material matches the original one.

If there is no repair kit, then a piece of rubber will do for repairing car or bicycle tubes. The material can also be a children's rubber toy. The patch is cut 2-3 cm wider than the damage. Shape - round or oval. Before repairing the mattress, the patch is also cleaned and degreased for better adhesion.

What glue to use

It’s easy to get lost in the assortment of glues. What composition should I choose for repair? We recommend universal adhesives, products for gluing PVC, as well as rubber varieties. The glue must meet the following requirements:

water resistance, because the mattress will be used in bodies of water;
strength, as the product is subjected to loads;
elasticity - the glue must match the material that is filled with air.

How can you seal the air mattress:

“Moment universal” glue: glues almost all materials in various combinations;
polyurethane can also be suitable for repairing an air mattress, as it creates a durable, elastic and waterproof layer;
made of natural rubber forms an elastic seam and does not leave stains, but requires increased pressing of the parts.

Advice! Super Moment or Secunda glue (and other cyanoacrylate compounds) can also attach a patch, but they are not elastic after drying, and some compounds can damage the fabric of the product. Therefore, such adhesives are not recommended.

Mattress repair

Repair consists of applying a patch to the damaged area. For the smooth side, the following method is used:

The puncture site should be circled with a marker. Lightly clean this area and degrease with solvent.
Cut the patch from a suitable material, preferably without sharp corners. This way the fastening will be more reliable.
Apply a small amount of glue to the cleaned patch using a brush and leave for an average of 10 minutes. Look for the exact time in the instructions for the glue. Do the same with the place where the patch will be attached.
Firmly connect the patch to the damaged area and hold for several minutes.
You can leave the parts under the press.
The glue dries completely within a day on average.
It is recommended to use the product after 2-3 days, not earlier.
If there is several damages, then you need to repair the mattress in stages, waiting for each patch to dry completely.
If air still escapes from the mattress after sealing, look for other damage. Or check whether the valve is firmly closed.
If there is a problem with the valve, then it needs to be unscrewed and lubricated.

Advice! There is no need to apply a thick layer of glue, one or two drops are enough.

How to repair a mattress Intex:

If defects are found on the velor side, then before work you need to clean the pile. The flock coating is treated with alcohol or solvent.
Now you need to cut off the excess fibers to the width of the patch. This is done with sandpaper (fine sandpaper). If this is not done, the glue will not connect the patch and the velor. You can scrape off the coating with a knife. The main thing is that the blade is dull.
It is better to treat the resulting patch with acetone again to obtain a perfectly smooth surface.
Now you can cover the cleaned area with glue.
Next, all actions are similar to the method described above: attach a patch coated with glue, hold for several minutes or leave under pressure, wait for it to dry.

Fleecy products cannot be repaired unnoticed. When applying the patch, “bald patches” will remain. But there is an interesting method: if the design of the mattress allows it, repair it from the inside. To do this, turn out the damaged part - push it through the hole for the pump. The steps to apply a patch are no different from the external repair method. Such a repair will be both invisible and durable, because air presses on the patch from the inside.

Compositions for gluing inflatable products are flammable. Do not carry out repair work near fire sources. Do not inhale glue fumes; work with a protective mask in a ventilated area.
If you doubt the reliability of gluing yourself, then a repair shop will always come to the rescue. There you can repair seam breaks, damage to internal partitions, valve defects, and tears larger than 5 cm. Such defects are eliminated using special equipment.
The repaired item should only be stored in a deflated state. If it is used on water, then it is thoroughly dried.
No aggressive or abrasive detergents are used for cleaning.
Inexpensive products are not intended for a wide range of uses. Thus, air beds are not used on bodies of water.
If the mattress is rubber, then the glue used to repair it is rubber. More often, mattresses are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Repairing a mattress with your own hands is not difficult. You just need to find all the holes, choose the right glue, or simply use the repair parts that came with the mattress. Despite the ease of repair, you should still handle inflatable products with extreme care, do not place them on surfaces with large and sharp particles, do not pump them with air, and store them properly.