From time to time, even the best air mattresses exhibit symptoms of no longer being able to provide the comfort they once did. Many air mattress manufacturers recommend a periodic need to replace the air bed valves due to deterioration, but that can be pretty expensive. The budget way is to repair and you can learn How to Fix an Air Mattress Valve easily from this guide.
The easiest way to return an air mattresses valve is with the right tools, purchased online or at a hardware store!
How to Fix an Air Mattress Valve | Complete Process
1. Find the leak
Before closing the valve, the mattress should be fully inflated.
Doing this lets you hear the sound of air escaping from your air mattress.
Alternatively, you can prepare a dish soap and water solution and liberally spray the air bed.
You can easily find the hole since the escaping air will create foam or bubbles.
Once you’ve located it, mark it with a marker or a tailor’s pencil and wait until the air beds have dried before moving on to the next step.
2. Completely deflate the air mattress
If there is any air within, the patch or adhesive may not be able to create a tight seal, forcing you to make another attempt to patch the hole.
3. Sanitize the mattress
You must scrub the area because the patch will adhere correctly if the puncture is on the flocked top of the air mattress.
To avoid harming the air bed, use gentle sandpaper and don’t rub it too hard.
And now, you’re ready to fix a blow-up mattress valve.
4. Use the mattress’s included patch kit
If you can find the patch kit along with the purchase of your air mattress, this is the best way to fix an airbed hole.
Check if you have it and follow the instructions indicated on the patch kit.
If you don’t have this kit, take the time to look at air mattress’ kit alternatives that you can buy.
5. Create your patch using a pool or shower curtain
Any kind of thin plastic material will do as long as it’s sturdy enough.
Create carefully to make your homemade patch large enough to overhang the leaking region and completely cover it to ensure air tightness.
Use contact cement, rubber cement, epoxy, super glue, or gorilla glue as your adhesive.
However, the school glue for your child won’t hold!
6. Fill in a tear along the seam using a hot glue gun
Caution! When using hot glue, avoid getting it on your hands.
Otherwise, the air bed will melt, and you’ll have a huge problem.
While your mattress deflates, warm up your glue gun on the lowest setting.
You should smooth down the leaky part of your air mattress because it rests flat on the ground.
Run a bead of glue down the tear’s edges once it has heated up.
Before blowing up mattresses, wait about 5 to 10 minutes for the hot glue to cure.
Keep your glue gun’s tip away from the air mattress to prevent melting the material or creating more holes.
The manufacturer’s guarantee can be void if you glue your mattress or use a homemade patch.
Before attempting a DIY solution, review the warranty to see whether you qualify for any replacements.
Although using a hot glue gun to mend your mattress might sound a little contentious, the seal will only endure for approximately a week.
7. Use duct tape to patch a hole
Only use this technique if you can eventually replace the tape with something more durable because its adhesive will ultimately wear out.
In addition, before applying a repair, have the duct tape thoroughly cleaned.
To prevent any raised edges or wrinkles, carefully press the duct tape over the hole.
To add greater security, apply four more strips of duct tape to the sides of the strip.
8. Apply super glue to close the airbed’s hole
Pinholes and other small punctures respond best to super glue.
If the hole is large, use duct tape or the preferable actual real patch.
There are two ways to patch the airbed’s hole with super glue.
Glue can either be applied directly to the puncture without any patches or used as an adhesive for a previous DIY repair approach.
The adhesive can be applied to the cut using stitch-like motions.
Repeat the application process once the initial layer has dried until the puncture and at least 0.5″ surrounding it are completely covered.
Next, blow up the mattress to see if there’s any leaking.
Moreover, squeeze a tiny dab of superglue straight onto the hole while the mattress deflates.
Thus, it forms a thin, equal film over the surface.
To prevent more air bed leak, have the super glue not touch any area of the air mattress.
Before using it again, allow the adhesive to dry for at least 4 hours.
- Related guide: Why Your Air Mattress Keeps Deflating With No Holes?
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it covered for you.
The next time your blow-up mattress valve leaks, don’t worry! There is an easy fix for most air mattresses completely.
Simply follow the ways outlined in this article, and you’ll have your mattress inflated and ready to go in time.
