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How to Repair a Hole in an Air Mattress

Air mattresses are very handy for someone that just moved into an apartment or a home and doesn't have a mattress to sleep on yet. They are also convenient for camping and sleeping inside the tent. The only problem with air mattresses is that they tend to get holes in them if something pokes into the plastic or material of the mattress. Some heavy duty air mattresses can become rather expensive to buy. And if a hole occurs rather quickly then you may either return the mattress or try to repair it.

Things You'll Need

Marine goop Rubber cement Bike tire repair kit Duck tape

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the hole. Fill the bed up with some air and listen for a hissing sound. For small holes it may be rather difficult to locate the hole. There are a couple ways to figure out where the small hole is. Fill the mattress with air and put the bed in a tub of water or spray it down with soap and water to see where the bubbles are coming from.
- 2
  Remove air from the air mattress. Push all of the air out and then place Marine Goop over the hole. This is very sticky stuff and depending on the size of the hole will depend on how much you will need. Place up to 1/16-inch of the goop onto the hole and give it at least two days to dry before putting air into it. The goop can last up to a year with frequent usage.
- 3
  Use rubber cement. Place some rubber cement onto a piece of duct tape (the size of the hole) and place it over the hole. Give it several hours to dry before putting air in the mattress. This is another alternative from the goop or patches.
- 4
  Purchase an inner tube repair kit for a bicycle. This has not lasted as long as the goop or glue, but it is another choice to repair a hole in an air mattress. Use the patch, pad and glue given in the kit. Place the pad over the hole and place the glue around the edges. Put glue on the bottom of the patch and place it over the pad. Add extra glue to seal the patch around its edges.

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