This guest post was sent to us by Chris at Silverfox Travel & Outdoors.

The different airbed or air mattress varieties can make for comfortable sleeping but they have one big minus point – they can get punctured. Sometimes the leak is slow, meaning you fall asleep and all is well, only to find yourself waking up freezing cold and with nothing but hard ground beneath you.

Many of the higher end quality, modern self inflating mattresses are pretty tough but where an item needs to hold air to function there is always a possibility that the material containing it can be damaged somehow. The type of open interior traditional airbed which requires a pump is particularly prone to damage/punctures and subsequent uncontrolled air loss. However, help is at hand because many punctures are not just repairable but easily so meaning you won't have to fork out for a new airbed... probably.

Before attempting repair

If you find your airbed requires repair first check your warranty and guarantee wording. Some of the higher quality items will replace items under certain circumstances and it may be worthwhile contacting the manufacturer to check what their particular policy is.

Finding the puncture

This can actually be the trickiest part of the whole proceedings. Some holes are fairly obvious while others are so minuscule that you will need to be clever and patient to locate them. If you inflate your mattress and then press gently you will sometimes hear or feel on your hands where the air is escaping. Once you have located the area of damage or air leakage then mark it with a felt tip pen, piece of chalk or sticky tape.

If the air is escaping via a seam it is normally an indication of faulty manufacture and it is worth contacting the maker to get advice and hopefully a replacement. Damage at seams can be fixed but it is far harder and often less permanent than repairs made on the airbed's flat surfaces.

If the air escape isn't obvious check the airbed's valves or bungs. This is quite a common area for problems and can often be due to a bit of dirt or sand having got into the works and preventing a tight seal.

If all else fails in locating your air leak then try the soapy water trick. Put the tiniest bit of washing up liquid into some water and coat it over the inflated airbed, a small section at a time. Press gently over the airbed's surface and bubbles will form where any air is attempting to pass through. Don't go mad with the washing up liquid or you will have too many bubbles before you start.

Fixing the airbed

Almost all open cell self inflating mattresses come with their own repair kit included. The kit will typically contain patches, glue, sometimes replacement valves or bungs and instructions for their use. Some better quality air mattresses may also include a repair kit.

There are several repair kits you can buy if one isn't included although not every kit is compatible with every air mattress and the glues used in different kits do vary. Some people find they get by very well with a bicycle puncture repair kit, the role of which is intrinsically the same.

To fix the repair -

• deflate your mattress fully
• select a patch to use from your repair kit – this should typically be larger than the damaged area, at least 3/4 cm all round in diameter.
• ensure the area you will be attaching the patch to is dirt and moisture free
• apply the glue directly onto the airbed surface
• apply the patch over the top and leave to dry fully for at least 24 hours if possible before using
• with larger areas of damage you may wish to repeat this process and apply a patch over the patch to give it extra durability

The surface you are working on may effect the final result. PVC or other smooth surfaces tend to work better with repair kits than flocked surfaces although if the glue you are using is up to the job it may not make any difference.

Make sure you always carry an airbed repair kit with you when you camp. This is most likely to be the time when you need it and although it may mean one uncomfortable night while you wait for the glue to truly set it will mean a more permanent repair in the long run. If all else fails slap a piece of duct tape over the hole for a temporary repair. This works excellently on smooth surfaces and the mighty duct tape can sometimes even cope with flock surfaces.

Avoiding damage

Of course prevention is always better than cure and there are a few things you can do which will help to avoid any damage to your airbed in the first place.

• Always ensure the area where you pitch your tent is free of stones and twigs which may pierce the mattress's shell
• Always use a ground sheet to give your mattress another layer of protection
• Avoid exposing your air mattress to prolonged sunlight – UV rays can degrade its materials
• Ensure the valves and bungs stay dirt free
• Extreme hot or extreme cold can damage your airbed so when it isn't in use ensure it is stored somewhere dry and appropriate to avoid material degradation and seam weakening

Chris is an avid camper and traveller who works for Silverfox Travel & Outdoors who sell a range of camping airbeds as well as other outdoor and camping equipment. When he’s not in the shop helping customers sort out their gear he gets out into the Yorkshire Dales!