Olivia SanchezYour tent is meant to protect you from the elements. The last thing you want is water creeping inside. This means that you need to learn how to weatherproof a tent. Now, if you have purchased a semi-decent tent, then it is likely that a little bit of weatherproofing will have been done. However, you can always do more. This guide will help.
Weatherproofing the Seams
It is highly likely that the seams of your tent will be the first thing to start letting the elements in. To reseal up these seams, you will need to purchase a dedicated silicone sealant for tents. It will then be applied rather liberally to the leaky seam. This will help to prevent the water from getting in. If you have purchased a cheaper tent, then you may want to weatherproof all of the seams as soon as you purchase the tent. It won’t be long before the seams will start to leak, so you may as well do it right at the start.
- Helps protect fabric from fading by blocking out harmful UVA/UVB rays
- Delivers superior water repellency to outdoor fabrics, leather and suede
- Ideal for use on patio furniture, patio umbrellas, grill covers, tarps, flags, awnings, boat covers, spa covers, auto covers and more
- Simple, one-step application
- Dries odorless
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fun Outdoor Quiz
Holes in the Tent
Obviously, if there are holes in the fly of the tent, then you really are not going to be protected. The cold and rain will seep in when the nights roll around. Thankfully, this is an easy problem to fix.
Should you replace the tent?
When a hole appears, a lot of people will consider replacing the entire tent. We do not think this is necessary. Small holes in the tent can be patched rather easily. They should provide you with a decent amount of protection from the elements too. Now, it may not be ideal to patch your tent up if you are going on a major excursion through thick snow or something like that, but for general camping, it is going to be far cheaper to just cover up the holes.
How can you seal smaller holes?
You can purchase specialist ‘hole repair’ kits for tents, but these are not necessary. A good strong tape is enough. Gorilla Tape is fantastic for this job, but anything similar may also work. Do bear in mind that the tape is not going to last forever, so always keep a small amount in your bag until you are ready to completely replace the tape!
- Heavy duty and double thick, Gorilla Tape offers over-the top results; It's like duct tape on steroids
- Great for indoor or outdoor use and made to stick to Rough, uneven, unforgiving surfaces like wood, stone, stucco, plaster, brick and more
- Double-Thick adhesive; grips smooth, Rough and uneven surfaces
- Tough, reinforced backing; the tight weave contributes to the heft, but Gorilla tape can still be ripped by hand
- Rugged, weather-resistant shell; withstands moisture, UV rays and temperature extremes
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Weatherproofing the Fly
This is something that you will need to do regularly. For this, you will need a weatherproofing solution for your tent. Generally speaking, it doesn’t matter which one you buy. They are all going to work in the same way. This means you follow this process:
-
- Start by washing your tent down. This is to ensure all the grime is off of it. You can also check for leaks at the seams at the same time.
- Mix your weatherproofing solution with water.
- Apply the weatherproofing solution to your tent. You can do this with a sponge.
- Allow it to dry
If you have waterproofed your fly properly, then you should be able to keep water from getting into your tent. In fact, it won’t even pool on the tent. It will just bounce right off. It will also protect the fabric from getting sun damaged, which can weaken it considerably.
This is something which you would, ideally, be doing at least once per year. Although, weatherproofing solutions can be expensive. it is up to you to make a judgment call here. After all, it is all going to be based on how often you are using your tent.
Remember; weatherproofing your tent is absolutely vital. It is not only going to help to protect you from the weather outside, but it will also ensure that your tent lasts for as long as possible.
- ULTIMATE PROTECTION FOR OUTDOOR FABRICS - Waterproofing plus UV and stain protection for boat covers, car covers, bimini tops, sail covers, tents, jackets, backpacks, boots, awnings, and patio covers
- PRESERVES FABRIC QUALITY - Does not change the breathability, color, or feel of fabric, ensuring original texture and appearance
- EXTENDS FABRIC LIFE - Great for use on new fabrics, greatly extending their service life and revives old fabrics by providing an additional barrier to moisture, stains and damaging sun rays
- EASY APPLICATION - A gallon covers multiple applications and is quick drying, ensuring even coating
- PROUDLY AMERICAN, TRUSTED GLOBALLY - With STAR BRITE, you're choosing a leading name in marine, auto, RV, home, and outdoor products since 1973, all proudly made in the USA for superior quality and performance
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jimmy Hubbs
