How to Waterproof a Tent?

If you don’t see droplets forming on the surface of your tent when it comes in contact with water, or if liquid is leaking through it, it must not yet have been waterproofed, or you have used it too many times and it’s time for it to be reproofed. This article will reveal our best tips on how to waterproof a tent.

Camping is one of the most fun and adventurous activities that you can do either on your own or with friends and family, but for it to actually be any fun, you first need to make sure that you have everything in order. A tent is considered one of the most important things to take with you when camping. Sure, you can opt for a sleeping bag instead because it’s lighter and less of a hassle, but a good tent provides protection from rain, snow, cold winds and even bugs. It makes it possible for you to sleep comfortably outdoors. But what good would a tent be if it weren’t waterproof? Continue reading for more information on how to waterproof and take good care of your tent.

How to waterproof your tent

A waterproofed tent may lose its ability to repel water, especially if you have had it for a long time and get a lot of use out of it. No tent is safe from this, but the good news is you can easily reproof it. On the other hand, a newly bought tent may not yet have been waterproofed, so it’s up to you to do what needs to be done and take the following steps.

• Pick a clear, sunny day to waterproof your tent. Check the weather forecast and choose a clear and sunny day or two to do this procedure. This is important because it’s crucial that the tent stays up outdoors. Most tent waterproofing products take 24 hours to completely dry
• Clean your tent. Make sure that every part of the tent is clean, because any waterproofing product you use will only attach to the dirt and come off with water, rendering your efforts futile
• Seal leaky seams and fix any holes. While cleaning your tent, check for any damaged seams and holes and fix them using a seam sealer. You don’t want any holes in the tent interfering with the process. While at it, remove any flakes as well
• Wear gloves and other protective gear. It’s not easy getting waterproofer off if you get some on yourself, and that’s highly possible because you will need a generous amount of the product
• Make sure that you choose the right product for your tent as each is made of a different material; it could be made with polyester, nylon, or nylon infused with silicon, so it’s important that you make sure you are using the best sealant for the specific material of your tent
• Apply a thin coat of the sealant. If you are going to use the tent in an area where it’s going to be particularly rainy, apply a second coat and wipe any excess product off with a cloth. This will also be helpful if you have previously had any leaks
• Take the tent outside. Spread the tent out in a spacious area and allow it to dry for 24 hours

How to take care of your tent

It’s important to pay attention to how you pack away and store your tent because wherever and however you store it will determine how long its quality will last. Here are some tips on how to properly care for your tent.

• Never store your tent wet, or store it in a warm and damp place
• When packing away your tent, check it carefully and make sure that it’s free of dust, stones, and other debris
• Zip the tent doors only partially to allow air to escape
• Collapse the tent with the poles still in
• Push—don’t pull—the poles out of the tent
• Never store your tent on its end as this can damage its poles. Always store it flat
• Always check your tent for leaks and tears and fix them as soon as you can
• Replace tent poles if needed. Tent poles can easily snap when put under pressure
• Always be gentle with the zippers
• When setting up a tent, choose an area that is relatively smooth and flat. Clear away any debris to avoid tearing a hole on the floor
• It’s best to have something underneath the tent floor, like a tarp or cloth, to protect it from abrasive surfaces
• Avoid exposing your tent to the sun for long periods of time. Ultraviolet rays from the sun will degrade the fabric of your tent over time. A polyester rainfly is more UV resistant than those made of nylon
• Remove your footwear before entering the tent. Pebbles and other debris may get stuck in the corners of the tent and can puncture the tent floor
• As much as possible, don’t eat inside the tent. Fallen crumbs of food will attract small animals that will chew through the tent’s fabric
• Clean your tent after use. This way, you will avoid leaving dust and debris in there
• Never machine wash your tent; this will damage the fabric
• Hang the tent up or spread it out to air dry

Get the most out of your tent

Tents are not exactly cheap, so it’s better if you take good care of it by making sure that it’s clean, dry, debris free, and water resistant. Now that you know how to waterproof a tent, you can make the most out of it and use it for a long time.