How to Waterproof a Tent

How to Waterproof a Tent
How to Waterproof a Tent

Most tents are waterproofed when you buy them, at least the good ones. This doesn’t mean that they will stay that way, though. Over time tents will start to degrade and the chemicals that prevented them from leaking water will start to lose their potency. In the event that this occurs it is important that you familiarize yourself with the process of renewing the waterproof seal on your tent.

There are chemicals that you can buy that replicate the affect of waterproofing that your tent had when it was brand new. Some waterproofing kits are solvent-based, while others are water-based applications. Naturally, anytime you work with chemicals, there are some precautions that you need to observe before you begin to waterproof your tent.

The first thing that you need to do is read the directions that come with a tent waterproofing kit. It’s important to read the directions thoroughly before starting, to ensure that you are applying the chemicals to the best of your abilities and in the way that is laid out by the manufacturer.
If the instructions tell you that you need to apply the chemicals to your tent in an area that has no shortage of ventilation, then you would do well to heed this warning. Apply tent waterproofing outside if possible, and if not, wear a chemical respirator to protect yourself from noxious fumes.

Before spending money on a kit, determine whether or not you actually need to do any sort of waterproofing. There is a chance that you have purchased a commercial grade tent that never needs to be waterproofed again. It may in fact be that durable. If you try waterproof something like this you may just find that you hurt the integrity of the tent more than you actually help it. Canvas tents often don’t require waterproofing, as the cotton material proves to hold up well without any treatment.

Once you’ve decided that your tent needs waterproofing, you need to pay particular attention to the seams of the tent, the most likely place to suffer from wear and tear, allowing water to creep in. Use the waterproofing sealer liberally and don’t miss an inch. You may also need to coat the rain fly. In general, the easiest way to make sure you get every inch of the tent coated in waterproofing is to set it up before you start. Not only will you get every spot, but the coating will be more even.

So for future reference, for the well being and happiness of both you and your family, check to see if the tents you use need to be water proofed once again. It’s smart to make waterproofing and repair an annual tradition.