An inflatable mattress is a practical and necessary thing. The product not only promotes a full-fledged rest on the river or sea, but also solves the problem of a lack of sleeping places at home. And if the accessory is damaged, then you can solve the problem yourself, without resorting to the help of professionals.
Content
Causes of damage to Intex air mattresses
The reasons for "loss of working capacity" can be very different. In nature, the product is pierced by a branch, a sharp stone or a splinter. At home, children or pets are often the culprits of the problem. Another reason is excessive inflation. The product becomes very elastic and is easier to damage.
Damage can occur due to a rupture of partitions inside the product or due to seams coming apart. Another problematic area is near the valve. Therefore, if you understand that there is a hole somewhere, check this area first.
Finally, holes or abrasions appear due to long-term use. As you know, nothing lasts forever. However, it should be remembered that not every inflatable product should be repaired. In some cases, it is easier to get rid of the damaged item and buy a new one.
How to find a puncture
Before you start gluing a mattress at home, you need to find the exact location of the damage. As practice shows, this is not an easy task. If we are talking about a cut or damage along the seam of the product, you can determine it by eye. But if it is a pinpoint puncture, you will have to work hard. There are several accessible, time-tested methods.
By ear
Perhaps the most basic option, which does not require any additional tools or items. The product is slightly inflated, then compressed, allowing air to circulate freely inside, and listen carefully. The outgoing air will make a certain sound, similar to hissing.
Immersion in water
According to those who often repair air mattresses, this method is the most reliable. For testing, you will need a basin of water. The inflated mattress is placed in water and squeezed. Where there is a puncture, air will come out, leaving bubbles. It is very important to accurately mark the place of damage. This is done with an alcohol marker.
A significant "minus" of this method is that the product must be thoroughly dried before repairing. And some materials take a very long time to dry (for example, the velour surface of Intex products). But drying is a must!
With soapy water
This is also a "water" method for determining damage. A thick soap solution (you can use either liquid or regular soap) is applied with a sponge to the surface of the inflated mattress. Watch carefully. Bubbles will appear on the damaged area.
Shaving foam
Almost the same as with the soap solution. The shaving solution should be applied in a thick layer to all areas of the product in turn.
Starch
If there is no starch, you can use loose powder. The product is pumped up and then sprinkled with a thick layer of starch or powder. If there is a cut, a cloud will appear in its place.
With cling film
The surface of the inflatable mattress is moistened with water using a spray bottle. And then covered with cling film. The surface is smoothed well. Air will begin to accumulate in the place where the hole appeared and this will be obvious thanks to the film.
Main stages of repair
The job is quite within your capabilities. You will only need accuracy and attentiveness.
Preparing the surface for patch application
First, prepare the surface for work. To repair a mattress, you must release the air from it. Even if you have to spend time on this (maybe a day), the result is worth it. After drying, the surface is cleaned with fine sandpaper and degreased with alcohol or acetone. The first stage is completed.
Preparation of necessary tools and materials
If you have a special kit for repairing intex inflatable mattresses, then nothing else is needed. By the way, such a kit is always included in the anti-bedsore product kit. If there is no repair kit, you need to prepare:
- Glue;
- Patch material;
- Sharp scissors;
- Sandpaper.
Selecting glue
You should choose glue for rubber products. This can be a type of glue "Moment", or the ideal option for repairing rubber boats "Uran". In addition, glue for rubber shoes or a special product from the company Intex can be used. Each glue has its own application features.
Any glue for rubber surfaces is very toxic. Therefore, it is better to glue the mattress in a well-ventilated room. And be sure to work with gloves.
What can I use to seal it?
As a patch, you can use a part of an old inflatable product, an old tire, an inflatable toy, or even a rubber cap. The patch itself should be larger in size than the hole, by about 2 cm. This "allowance" will ensure a stronger connection. The shape of the patch should be rounded, without corners.
You can use the so-called liquid patch - a special composition that combines both rubber and glue. Simply apply the composition to the treated surface, leave for 10 minutes, and then repeat the procedure.
Surface sealing
The most important stage. Let's dwell on the classic method of sealing an inflatable product using a repair kit.
After the surfaces of the patch and the product are prepared (degreased and cleaned), a thin layer of glue is applied to them. The surfaces are joined and pressed tightly for 30 seconds. Then the product is placed under the press for another 5 hours.
Sealing seams
If the damage in the seam area is small, then it is simply filled with glue, allowed to dry, and then the procedure is repeated.
First, pull the damaged area out through the hole in the valve. Degrease the surface and glue the patch on in the usual way from the back side. After repair, it is better not to touch the product for 24 hours (at least 12 hours). Only then turn it inside out and use it.
How to patch a hole on the velour side?
If the defect appears on the velour side of the Intex product, it will not be possible to make the patch invisible. The surface is carefully cleaned with fine sandpaper and treated with alcohol. If this is not done, the villi will prevent the patch from fitting tightly. Then the patch (in this case, it should be made of a special material - flock) is glued using the same technology as the patch on the smooth side.
To make the damaged area less noticeable, you can try gluing the patch on the inside. The advantage of this method is that air will press on the patch from the inside and the damaged area will be reliably protected.
How to seal a tear along a seam?
This is the most unfortunate damage, so it is recommended not to glue the mattress at home, but to contact a workshop. But if you have special equipment at home, as well as some experience in such work, you can try to solve the problem yourself. To repair, you need two strips treated with sandpaper, clamps, acetone, special rubber-based glue and rectangular patches.
The damaged area is treated with acetone. Then glue is applied to the surface of the product and to the patches. First, the patch is applied from the inside, then from the outside, and they are carefully combined. After such combination, there should be no air left inside. The glued area is fixed with slats and clamped with clamps. The product is left in this position for at least 12 hours, or better yet, a day.
As you can see, it is quite possible to repair an inflatable mattress at home. However, careful use of the product is a guarantee of its long service life.
