How to Patch an Air Mattress

Find the Hole

• 1

  Find the source of the leak. Sometimes the puncture or tear is large enough to spot quickly. On occasion, the hole is tiny and difficult to see.

• 2

  Use your ears when you cannot find the hole. Fill up the air mattress with air, and listen for the hissing sound that results from air exiting through a small hole.

• 3

  Mark the hole with a marker. Deflate the mattress completely.

Seal the hole

• 4

  Use a heavy-duty glue product on the air mattress hole if it is small. The best place to purchase a glue that will stand up to the stresses put on a mattress is a dive shop. Glues at hardware stores can also do the trick.

• 5

  Apply glue generously around the hole. Make a circle with the glue of about an inch in diameter with the hole in the center.

• 6

  Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.

• 7

  Use a water bed repair kit to repair large punctures and rips in an air mattress. These kits typically involve a patch and glue. They are built to hold water in a mattress so they probably can do the same with air. Kits can be purchased online or at a bedding store that sells water beds.

• 8

  Test the fix. Fill up the air mattress and leave it out for 12 hours. Come back and check whether the air mattress has held air.