A typical query that we get requested about tents is why is there water in my tent and what do I do about it. Most individuals assume that tents come waterproofed however the truth of the matter is that almost all are waterproof at greatest. We wrote a basic article that covers all of the the explanation why a tent is likely to be moist right here.
Nonetheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms are usually not often waterproof. Whereas most tent producers do add a layer of waterproofing on the underside, it’s often lackluster and won’t maintain up for lengthy. Because the backside of the tent is uncovered to essentially the most put on and floor moisture, it is vitally more likely to be the offender in terms of moisture in a tent.
We are going to stroll you thru defending your tent flooring and stopping future leaks by waterproofing.
Defending your tent backside.
Many individuals don’t understand how vital this step is. The tent flooring is the bottom of your shelter and often has to carry as much as particles underneath the tent, individuals strolling on high of it, and having tools sitting on it. A technique to assist shield your tent flooring and preserve it waterproof is through the use of a protecting layer barely bigger than your tent footprint beneath the ground.
Some tents include a tarp-like protecting sheet that you should use underneath your tent to assist shield it from particles and add somewhat additional thermal barrier between you and the bottom.
In case your tent doesn’t have this sheet, you possibly can merely use a heavy-duty tarp. This may have the identical protecting options and also will assist shield in opposition to moisture from the bottom wicking by the underside of your tent.
We now have an awesome article on utilizing tarps underneath and over your tent right here.
You can even discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
An alternative choice is a water-resistant cloth equivalent to canvas. If you happen to use a cloth it’s crucial that it’s tear-resistant and that’s the reason we suggest canvas. The draw back is that tarps are often extra reasonably priced than heavy-duty waterproof canvas.
A trick that i’ve solely seen a handful of instances (and I personally have now tried) is utilizing interlocking foam pads as a footprint. You recognize those that appear to be puzzle items on the sides. You will have the heavy responsibility ones however it truly works nice. Not solely does this add a pleasant layer between your tent flooring and the bottom however you’re going to get a pleasant padded flooring as effectively.
The draw back is that if your campsite will not be near your car, you would need to carry these pads to your website and they are often heavy to hold for lengthy distances.
For extra nice studying we now have an article about why you want a footprint underneath your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles which you could earlier than you set down your footprint or tent.
I’ve been responsible of this, not solely can particles be uncomfortable as you’ll really feel it underneath your tent flooring, however rocks, sticks some other objects with sharp edges can tear your tent flooring. A tear is often fairly simple to determine however particles may result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a method in even by very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger harm however natural particles, equivalent to grass, and leaves retain water underneath your tent and the longer water is there, the extra probabilities it’ll discover a method in a gap.
Waterproofing a tent backside
As we mentioned above, including a footprint that’s waterproof will assist cease moisture from wicking from the bottom by your tent flooring however in case you are tenting throughout a rainstorm, this will not be sufficient. Since heavy rain can result in water getting between the protecting layer and the tent backside it will be significant that the tent flooring itself have an additional layer of waterproofing.
The simplest answer is so as to add a water-resistant sealant. Though most tents include a sealant on one facet, we extremely suggest including an additional layer of waterproofing to this since most tent’s preliminary waterproofing is not going to be superb. Additionally, we extremely suggest including waterproofing to each the highest and backside of your tent flooring. It by no means hurts so as to add an additional layer of safety.
One of many spray waterproofers we now have had nice success with is fairly reasonably priced and may be discovered on Amazon right here.
We now have an article that you’ll take pleasure in on waterproofing your complete tent right here.
Extra suggestions for stopping your tent backside from leaking.
This may occasionally sound apparent however we now have seen this many instances. All the time attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. This may preserve water flowing away out of your tent as an alternative of underneath your tent.
Even when on excessive floor keep away from depressions. you possibly can simply overlook this in grass or floor suffering from particles but when your tent is in a despair on the bottom, water will pool underneath your tent and this could result in moisture-wicking.
Be certain that the bottom underneath your tent is strong. Mushy floor can result in despair underneath your tent. The load of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the comfortable floor to compress and go away a gap or despair for water to gather.
Utilizing a tarp or cover above your tent may also help too. You’ll be able to angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a path away out of your tent. This will tremendously cut back the quantity of water that will get underneath your tent.
