Last Updated on July 3, 2022 by Ecorf
Do you know that the weather is unpredictable? For instance, you can wake up to a sunny day but within moments you might be soaking in the rain. Weather elements like rain, cold, snow or wind among other vagaries can impact your camping expedition and cause a lot of discomfort.
Therefore, if you are on a camping adventure, you need to waterproof your to prevent moisture from soaking through the tent fabric. To achieve this, you need some waterproofing agent or you can also use tent waterproofing spray among other alternatives.
The issue then is: “How to weatherproof a tent?” There are different methods that you can use to waterproof your tent which is not very different from weatherproofing. Essentially, waterproofing is concerned about preventing moisture from getting inside the tent. Therefore, these two terms will be used interchangeably in this post.
If you want to gain more information about weatherproofing a tent, this post gives you tips about how to achieve this goal. There are many benefits that you can achieve from waterproofing your tent such as enjoying the dryness of the tent even when it is raining.
Table of Contents
Weather Proofing your Tent
There are mainly three ways of waterproofing your tent which include the following: seal the seams, refresh the urethane coating and refresh the durable water repellent (DWR). Below are the simple steps about how to perform each method outlined.
Seal the Seams
When waterproofing your tent, you should first consider the seams since they are the first parts where a tent begins to leak. To seal the seams on the tent, you should apply seam sealer which acts like glue and it is a waterproof barrier that fills the gaps from stitching.
While many tents comprise of sealed seams when they are still new, the sealant wear over time which can lead to water leakages.
What you need
You need the following items to seal the seams of your tent.
- A rag
- Rubbing alcohol and a damp cloth to remove old peeling on the tent
- Appropriate seam sealer for your tent (You can check this with the manufacturer of your tent).
- Drop sheet to collect the spills
Instructions
Before sealing the seams on your tent, you must choose a dry place such as a garage or you can perform the task outdoors but make sure it will be warm or hot to enhance the drying process of the sealant.
You should then set up your tent and it will be ideal to turn it inside out so that you can easily access all the seams. Using a soft cloth and rubbing oil, you must carefully clean the seams and remove all the particles that are peeling off together with the dirt.
When satisfied that the seams are clean, apply the sealer according to the instructions that you can get on the product. It is essential to ensure that you are using the right product for effective results. After applying the seam sealer, leave the tent to dry.
How to Refresh the DWR on the Tent?
Durable water repellent (DWR) makes the water bead on the outer surface of the flysheet which also helps to prevent soaking. You need the following things to refresh the tent’s DWR.
- Waterproof sprays like Gear SolarProof and Nikwax Tent
- A damp, clean cloth
- Water
Instructions
You start by setting up your tent then spray the rainfly with clean water. The aim is to make sure that the rainfly is clean though you do not necessarily need to wait for it to dry. This step is then followed by evenly applying waterproof spray on the outer surface of the rainfly.
Leave the spray to sit for a couple of minutes then use your damp cloth to remove any excess coating. You should then leave the tent to dry completely before packing it. The step-by-step approach of refreshing the DWR in your tent is very simple and easy to follow.
How to Refresh the Urethane Coating on the Tent?
At some point, the floor of the tent or interior of the rainfly can flake off and once you notice this you should know that it is high time you apply new urethane coating. To do this, you need the following things:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Abrasive sponge
- Appropriate tent sealant (check with manufacturer)
Instructions
The following instructions should guide you in the whole process of refreshing the urethane coating on your tent.
You must first lay the tent floor or rainfly flat then using alcohol and a sponge, gently scrub the flakes away. After scrubbing the tent, apply a thin coating of the tent sealant and you should follow the directions of the container. Allow the tent to dry for at least 24 hours before you pack it away.
Tips and Tricks
It is vital to make sure that all the surfaces of the tent that you will re-waterproof are free of any dirt and they are also dry. It defies logic to apply sealant on a dirty or wet tent since it will not stick. You must also ensure that you waterproof your tent when the weather is hot to achieve excellent results.
To successfully waterproof your tent, you should make sure that you use the right sealant that suits the material of your tent. You can get this information from the instructions provided by the manufacturer. If necessary, you can use more than two coats. After applying the right sealant, make sure you leave the tent to dry for at least 24 hours before packing it. As a thumb rule, you should always wash your hands after waterproofing your tent.
Conclusion
If you love camping, you must always know that the weather is unpredictable and it can change for the worse at any time. Elements like cold, rain or any other humid condition can spoil your adventure so you need to waterproof your tent. Most tents are waterproof when they are still new but this tends to wear off with time.
However, wearing off of the waterproof on your tent is not a very big issue since you can re-weather proof it by simply following the above steps. I hope you have enjoyed reading this post. You can leave your comments below.
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