How to find a hole in an air mattress: 8 effective ways

The advantage of an air mattress is obvious: when deflated, it takes up very little space and can be stored in a drawer. However, the service life depends on the operating conditions. If the conditions have been violated, then holes may appear in the process, which will lead to its failure. Users often ask questions about how to find a hole in an air mattress. To find out the answer to this question, read our article to the end. In it you will find a description of different ways and methods of how to find a hole in an air mattress at home.

Method #1: Checking the valves

Many manufacturers of these products consider checking valves to be the best answer to the question “How to find a hole in an air mattress?” We advise you to do the following:

First of all, remove bedding and anything that will interfere with your search.
Move the mattress to a well-lit, clear area - you will need to inflate it, turn it over and inspect it carefully.
Fill the mattress with air to the maximum volume possible.
Now is the time to inspect the valve - it is the main cause of all leaks. Make sure it is tightly closed. If the valve is double, then its plug must be tightly inserted into the base.
If the problem is with the valve, it will be difficult to fix it yourself. Try to fix the leak by inserting a thin sheet of plastic or cloth.
If there are no problems with the valve, it does not allow air to pass through, then how to find a hole in an air mattress? Let's move on!

Air mattress inspection

It is necessary to place the accessory on a well-lit plane. Inflate to a tight, elastic state. You can additionally use a table lamp or flashlight.

Carefully, slowly, inspect the surface. Study a couple of centimeters at a time. At the same time, you can feel the polymer (rubber). You need to wet your hands with cold water and run them over the mattress. The air escaping under pressure will be immediately felt with a wet hand.

Carefully inspect the seams. Often the damage is located in these places.

The detected points are marked with a marker and then sealed.

Method No. 2: using a soap solution

We will act according to the following algorithm:

Add a little dishwashing liquid (soap solution, liquid soap, shower gel or shampoo) to the spray bottle so that there is enough soapy water to cover the entire surface of the mattress. An alternative to a “sprinkler” would be a sponge or cloth soaked in this solution.
How to find a hole in an air mattress at home? Fill it with air and spray, wipe the entire surface of the product with soapy water, starting again with the valve and paying special attention to the seam areas.
Now watch carefully - where the soap bubbles appear, there will be an air leak.
Trace the leak with a permanent marker or mark it with a piece of tape or a sticky note.
The next step is to be sure to dry the mattress 100%. Only after this will it be ready for storage and repair.

What you will need

The set of tools and materials will directly depend on the method used to detect damage. Sometimes one method is not enough and you will have to patiently use the options one by one. Basic tools:

soap solution (water + dishwashing detergent, or liquid soap, shampoo);
bowl - for combining water and detergent;
foam sponge (suitable for washing dishes) - to check the valve;
a large foam sponge - to cover the entire surface with foam;
a rag (in case you don’t have a sponge at hand);
marker (permanent) - circle the areas of damage.

Standard repair kit for a mattress.

Method No. 3: visual and manual inspection

Another simple way to tell you how to find a hole in an air mattress:

Fill the product as much as possible with air.
Carefully inspect the mattress on all sides for damage. Particular attention to the seams.
Wet your hand a little in water and, section by section, move your palm over the surface of the mattress. Move as slowly as possible - a quick inspection will not yield results. In the place where the air will come out, you will feel a slight chill or even a slight whiff on your wet hand.
Another technique is to also, examining area by area, press on the surface of the mattress, leaning your ear close to it. Carry out the procedure in complete silence - only then will you hear a barely audible whistle from the hole in the product. More attention - again to the seams.
Also mark any leaky areas with a permanent marker or tape. Don't stop if you find one hole - examine the entire mattress, there may be several damages.

Causes of damage to air mattresses

The seams of low-grade models may come apart. Mattresses get scratched when they come into contact with a rough surface. They can be accidentally pierced or cut.

The item does not withstand high temperatures and household detergents containing alkali. Common causes of damage to air mattresses:

careless handling;
non-compliance with the rules of use;
buying a cheap model made from low-grade material (often from waste from other industrial production or recycled waste).

Damage to a polymer or rubber sleeping place is caused by storage in unsuitable conditions (in damp basements, on balconies) and natural wear and tear.

Method #4: Water Immersion

This method, which tells you how to find a hole in an air mattress, is not suitable for all products - some of them cannot be completely immersed in water. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions. If such contact is allowed, then follow the instructions:

Partially inflate the mattress with air and close the valve.
Fill your bathtub or swimming pool with water.
Place the entire product under water.
First of all, press the material around the valve - if water bubbles begin to come out of it, then the problem has been found.
Thus, pressing both palms on the surface, examine the entire mattress submerged under water. Air bubbles will indicate the presence of a hole.
A non-hydrophobic permanent marker will again help mark the location of the damage.
Be sure to completely dry the product before further storage or repair.

Pros and cons of air mattresses

When deflated, such accessories take up minimal space. It's a good choice for:

hiking;
country picnic;
relaxation on the shore of a reservoir;
trips;
trips to the countryside.

The mattress weighs little. It can be used as an extra bed in case of overnight guests. When rolled up, it can easily be placed in a wardrobe or on a mezzanine. This accessory does not require special care or complex maintenance.

Air mattresses do not contain substances that provoke allergic reactions and skin irritations. You can sleep well on them and feel invigorated. The mattress adapts to the anatomical structure of the body.

Models with improved orthopedic properties and a wavy massage surface have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect.

Sleeping accessories have only one drawback - fragility and susceptibility to punctures, tears, scratches, and cracks.

Additional Methods

If all of the above does not help, then you can do the following:

Some people recommend filling your mattress with smoke. This method is good for hookah or vape smokers. When pumping air into the mattress, fill the space near the pump with thick smoke. And then observe the product. Where thin smoky streams come out from is where the damage will occur.
Download an app to your smartphone to determine sound decibels. In complete silence, slowly move the device over the mattress. Where the scale goes up a little is where the hole is located.
Fill the product with freon. You can find the hole using a special analyzer - a device for checking the serviceability of air conditioners.
Fill the mattress with air saturated with the aromas of air freshener, perfume, cologne or aromatherapy candle. And then in another room, look for damage by smell.

How to find a hole in an Intex air mattress? For these high-quality products, all the same methods are suitable: inspection of the valve, application of a soap solution, manual and visual inspection, immersion in water.

Do not pour water into the mattress in order to detect a hole by leaking liquid! You will not be able to dry the product from the inside - mold will grow inside it and it will become completely unusable. We hope that our tips were helpful to you in finding the source of the problem.

Valve Inspection

A common reason for the rapid deflation of a polymer or rubber berth is depressurization due to damage to the integrity or deformation of the plastic valves for air injection.

They need to be cleaned of dirt, leveled and washed with warm water. The valves, based on their physical action, resemble passive dust collectors. Air is drawn in through one hole and comes out through another. Along with it, fine dust particles, pet hair, and other debris penetrate inside.

They settle on the rubber seal of the exhaust valve, gradually destroying its structure.

What can you do to check this element:

Remove the valve, rinse with water and reinstall.
Inflate the mattress 80-90%.
Close the inlet and outlet openings.
Using a dish sponge or a clean piece of cloth, apply the soap slurry to and around the valve.
Wait 2-3 minutes. If the reason for the mattress deflating is in the valve, a quiet whistle will be heard and the soap solution will bubble.

Further actions depend on the extent of the damage. Small holes can be sealed with your own hands, but a large puncture will require a visit to the workshop.

Preparing the necessary tools and materials

Before starting work, it is better to immediately find the necessary devices and consumables. You will need good glue and a brush, a degreasing agent (acetone, solvent, alcohol), a mattress patch, and sandpaper. You may also need a hair dryer, pencil (marker), scissors. To press the gluing area, you should prepare a weight. In order not to look for all the specified things, you can purchase a ready-made repair kit for the mattress.

How to deflate a sleeping place correctly

When inflating, you can use a special pump or some available means, but in order to deflate the mattress you need to create certain conditions and put in a little effort. Regardless of the brand of the product, the principle and rules for deflating a bestway, Intex or any other mattress are the same.

First of all, we will consider those factors, the presence of which will help to lower the product correctly:

Smooth surface.
No sharp objects.
Lack of heating appliances.
It is strictly forbidden to use automobile compressors or other devices where high pressure is present.

Inflatable upholstered furniture, especially mattresses, are in steady demand. Expensive air mattresses are usually equipped with a pump (built-in or a separate item). In other cases, the device is purchased separately. What to do if the pump fails, is lost or forgotten, and the product definitely needs to be inflated?

Another way to repair a mattress if it deflates

If the product is deflated due to a faulty valve, and not the appearance of holes in it, you must proceed as follows:

Unscrew the valve.
Clean all surfaces and remove dust.
Remove the rubber gasket, then sand the end part.
Lubricate the inside of the valve with vegetable oil.
Assemble the valve and screw it into place.

To prevent the mattress from deflating and holes appearing on it, it should be stored in a special cover. This will ensure product protection. During deflation, it is not recommended to squeeze the mattress to speed up the process. The product must be kept away from sharp objects and animals, and not inflated too much. In this way, the service life can be extended by several years.

Pumps for inflating mattresses

A mattress is a fairly large and voluminous item. In any case, you can't inflate it with your mouth. The best solution to the question of how to inflate an air mattress is to use a pump. Sometimes the pump may be included - from the same manufacturer. If not, you will need a low pressure pump:

manual;
foot;
electric.

An electric pump is justified if you have constant access to energy - in the house or at least from a car battery. If not, then choose a foot pump.

Causes of puncture

A puncture on a rubber mattress is a common occurrence, and the cause of this can be the most classic situations. For example:

after relaxing in nature, a sharp branch or stone can easily cause injury;
pets - residents of your apartment can accidentally damage the mattress;
strong inflation - the material becomes elastic and is subsequently easily damaged;
poor quality cut - in this case, the internal seams may come apart over time or the valve may be damaged.

Another classic reason is the long period of use. In this case, it is better to buy a new one and throw away the old one.

The internal partition in the air bed burst

There is another “ambush” that can await the owner of an air bed. This is a burst internal partition.

One day in the middle of the night I suddenly woke up from a strange and rather loud sound. First thought: the cat is tearing at the inflatable bed with its claws. Is very similar. However, when I turned on the light, I realized that the animal had nothing to do with it. It’s just that the outermost internal partition of the bed burst.

The result was a slight elevation on one side. It didn't cause much inconvenience. Quite the contrary - now there was no fear of falling out of bed while sleeping.

About a month later, another one burst - the next one from the same edge. The air bed turned from a double bed into some kind of fancy single sofa:

What to do in such cases? I’m afraid to upset you, but the answer will be the decadent word “nothing.” Of course, you can do as true optimists do: carefully cut the outer shell, carefully seal the inner bulkhead, and then just as carefully seal the outer cut. But at home, only a very determined person can dare to undertake such experiments.

Therefore, we can only watch with sadness as the partitions fail one after another. When the last of them orders to live a long time, the inflatable bed will turn into some strange object, reminiscent of a huge hamburger in shape. I think I have all the prerequisites to follow this process to the end and show you all the stages.

How to avoid new damage

Repairing an air mattress is not difficult, but it is better to prevent possible damage. It's easy to do:

Before you put down your air mattress, you need to inspect the ground. Sharp branches, glass shards or stones will cause a hole to appear. You need to remove the trash and then put the product down.
Be careful when pumping. Filling too tightly with air increases pressure on the seams. The mattress should be moderately soft.
Keep pets away. Dog or cat claws will cause a puncture, even if the animal simply jumps on the inflated product.
Do not drag when inflated. When dragged, an inflated mattress is scratched by uneven soil. Dragging is especially dangerous if a person is resting on the mattress. Such movement will cause rupture of internal partitions and divergence of seams.
Do not use “aggressive” chemicals for washing. Detergents negatively affect the elasticity of rubberized fabric. It is recommended to clean dirt with a soap solution.
Sit down carefully. Do not fall sharply on an inflated item or jump on it - this will cause the seams and partitions to rupture.
Descend slowly. The air should escape through the valve on its own. Pressure on the inflated item will damage the partitions.
Don't forget about drying. If you put a wet item away for storage, the humidity will cause the rubberized fabric to crack.

Pets should not climb on the mattress, otherwise holes will be inevitable.

A puncture or broken seam can be successfully sealed on your own using a repair kit or available products. But if the hole is large or there is a serious breakdown of the valve system, then it is better to contact a specialist. Service centers have equipment that allows you to repair ruptured septa and repair large cuts, as well as diagnose valve damage.

Some tips:

Soapy water allows you to focus on the bubbles when it hits the leak.
Before you start repairing your mattress, remove any soap from it and let it dry.
Contact the manufacturer for more information about repairing the hole. Some companies may offer free repair kits or recommendations.
While inflating the mattress, light an incense stick and position it so that the smoke begins to fill the mattress. The point where the smoke comes out is the point of the leak.

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