Thermarest trouble

[Compo Semite]

I have a thermarest air mat but it is leaking. I blow the thing up and about ten minutes later it's as flat as a pancake! how can I fix it?...

 

[swright81076]

If it's a recent purchase, return it to the store.
If not and your feeling hands on. Inflate it, then put it in the bath with water and look for where the bubbles are coming from. 9 times out of ten you'll be able to seal it if it's in an easy place (not around valve or a seam) but these places can be sealed too.

touched by nature

 

[Squidders]

Inflate it and put it in the bath... see where the air is coming from and use either the thermarest repair kit or a puncture repair kit.

If it's the valve, contact cascade designs directly as they offer a lifetime warranty.

 

[Mesquite]

Put it in your bath and find where the leak is first.

You can buy a Thermarest repair kit for a puncture but if it's a split seam you might struggle repairing it

 

[Hog On Ice]

another approach is to use a spray bottle of soapy water - inflate pad and spray it with the soapy water, squeeze the pad a little and look for the soap bubbles

 

[dwardo]

Last time my mat was losing air i found the leak and repaired it with a bicycle puncture repair kit. Held fat better than the kit that comes with the mat.

 

[Gray]

+1 to the bicycle repair kit, mines got a couple of patches on it

 

[Squidders]

The added benefit of standard puncture repair kits is that the glue and patches make the thermarest less slippy.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I repaired mine almost 8 years ago using the bath - kit supplied but did not stick a patch over but gently rubbed the glue over the area and its till ok.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I repaired mine almost 8 years ago using the bath - kit supplied but did not stick a patch over but gently rubbed the glue over the area and its till ok.

Note to this, if memory serves me right I read that method in the repair instruction supplied.

 

[Wintrup]

Once you've found the puncture spot, mark it exactly and fully deflate the bag rolling out all the air. Close the valve. Roll out the mat, find the mark and put a tiny blob of glue on. Some of the glue will be pulled in through puncture spot and should seal the puncture. Worked for me.