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Subject Topic: WAS MY TENT LEAKING? Post Reply Post New Topic
12/8/2008 at 4:31pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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Just returned from our first camping trip. we managed to get the tent up in the dry and spent an OK first night. it then rained solidly for the next 18 hours. we were out most of this time. when we returned the inside of the inner tent was covered in droplets of water and everything was damp. We have a SIG. So was this a leaky tent or condensation? is this what i should expect from camping what am i doing wrong? Please help because we are off on our next trip in a coyple of days


12/8/2008 at 4:37pm
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6
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HI,

Welcome to ukcampsite

I would have thought it was condensation. Was it coming through just on the seams or just wet through out the walls and ceiling of the tent? We were away during a lot of rain a few week ago, and with all the windows and doors closed on the tent the condensation soon build up.

 



-------------
Jane x


Manor Farm cromer, Aug 8 days


12/8/2008 at 5:26pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore
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It could be either or both.  Normally a leak will cause a puddle in one or two (sometimes several) places.  Our last 2 tents leaked along several seams where they hadn't been sealed properly. 

Condensation tends to form as big fat droplets all over the inside surface of the flysheet which then drop onto the inner.  Even if it's raining you should keep the vents (if they have some kind of rain protection/cover) open to allow moisture to escape (not easy if it's 100% humidity outside!)  When you get up in the morning, if you run your hand along the underside of the flysheet and it feels wet then it's condensation.  Cooking in the tent makes the condensation worse - but it's when it's raining cats and dogs that you want to cook inside! Catch 22.

Good luck with your next trip - fingers crossed for dry weather for you.



12/8/2008 at 5:26pm
 Location: None Entered
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thanks for the reply. it had little droplets everywhere. we were out all day and evening so all the doors and windows were shut. I expected some condensation in the morning, after we had all been in the tent all night but was quite shocked by how wet everything was. is this really what camping is like?


12/8/2008 at 5:31pm
 Location: Cumbria (Upper Eden Valley)
 Outfit: Cabanons SunValley Michigan Khyam ABI
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Our new tent had it's first outing last week.

On waking up the first morning the inside roof near our sleeping pod had just he same. We imagined it to just be condensation and thought nothing of it. We never had it again the whole holiday even though it did bucket it down once and light most of day rain another day.

I'm sure I've read other threads that say new tents have to get wet to make them waterproof - ie it's recommended that you pitch it and give it a good soaking before using it the first time then it's OK.

 



-------------
Keely :-))


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12/8/2008 at 5:35pm
 Location: Warwick (Land of the Kingmaker)
 Outfit:  Espace Montreal Laguna Khyam Santiago
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This the problem with modern fabrics,that is why i went back to canvas tents. Cost more,heavier, last for years and always dry.

-------------
Dogdorne August 13


12/8/2008 at 5:41pm
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well, if they need to get wet to be waterproof it should stand up to this weekend's monsoon. Does the design of the tent affect the amount of condensation? our tent is a dome but was really cheap. I saw some tunnle tents whilst we were away that looked more suitable. If we take to this camping lark my decide to change. Maybe i am more of an indoors kind of girl? The kids loved it so I really want it to work.


12/8/2008 at 5:49pm
 Location: The Glorious East
 Outfit: None Entered
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Def sounds like condensation to me.  What i discovered for the first time this last week was condensation under the silver backed thermal picnic rugs we used as tent carpet.  It was deffinitely condensation as it only appeared where the rugs had been lying.  I panicked at first thinking we had a leak from underneath!  But I guess it was the warmth of the rugs against the cold of the floor.

Clare



12/8/2008 at 5:57pm
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Thanks for everyone's replies. So it sounds like condensation. Should i be doing something to reduce it. We didn't cook in the tent and gave it a good airing in the morning, before the heavens opened. 


12/8/2008 at 7:56pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Orchy 400 tent
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We have just come back from our first ever camping trip (we bought a Vango Orchy 400) and we had the same thing. It rained constantly and we found droplets of water everywhere on the inside of the tent. If you touch them you get wet and we thought our tent wasn't waterproof. But when I read the tent instructions (once we were back doh!), it said that you will get this and it's condensation and that you shouldn't touch it. I assume that you just have to try and keep the tent as airy as possible although this is hard in the rain!

Hope you have better weather on your next trip, we too can't wait for our next trip. Addicted to camping already despite the weather, but it seems to make it all more of an adventure!



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12/8/2008 at 10:21pm
 Location: EDGWARE
 Outfit: SUNNCAMP CONTINENTAL 6
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Hi,
Regarding the leaking tent situation, we have just returned from the weekend in Bodmin, Cornwall. Arrived friday and all was fine, but Saturday it really did let go and poured down with heavy wind. Our Sunncamp Continental 6 (Canvas frame tent) suffered from leaking. This was mainly around the bedroom area and appeared to be from where the steel frame came into contact with the canvas, causing drops of water to form and then to fall quite heavily inside.
Can I do anything about this? Do I need to reproof or was the tent just overwelmed but extreme conditions?
Regards,
Steve.


12/8/2008 at 10:52pm
 Location: Oxfordshire
 Outfit: tent vango 500
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Hi we have just returned from camping and found our tent did have lots of condensation so we dried it out by airing it in the dry spells between showers!!!!

However one day we returned to find huge droplets on the roof of the inner tent( bedroom area) This had not happened before and it had rained again so we were worried that is was indeed leaking!

We took it back today to the shop and they refused to have it as it was put away damp!(health and safety apparently) Also they would send it back to the manufacturers to be tested. So now we have to erect said tent and dry it out and return it to the shop(again)....bleeping health and safety  LOL! Is that incase they slip on the wet floor whilst attempting to throw buckets of water over the outside---just joking by the way.............

 

Oooerrrrr missus the joys of life under canvas

 

TWEETS X



16/8/2008 at 6:42pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6 Virginia 5
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Last week's combination of cold rain and warm air has caused a greater condensation problem than usual. We noticed a problem, with the fly sheet becoming wet inside, but solved it by keeping as much ventilation as possible through the tent.

The side porch on the Monty came in handy as we could keep the outer door open, with just the fly screen closed on the inner door. This allowed the tent to breath without allowing rain in.

It was unusual to have such long periods or rain (12hrs+) without a session of sun to dry things up a little. I think this is reflected in the number of messages regarding condensation.

Regards

Steve & Sheila



-------------
Sheve


16/8/2008 at 8:02pm
 Location: Milnrow Rochdale
 Outfit: Esvo Bedouin 240 Cabonon Guadolupe
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Hi Steve

How old is your canvas tent?  If its new the canvas needs to get wet so that the fibers swell and then this stops the water coming through, but if its a few years old then it probably needs re-proofing, you can get a spray to do this, or if its only small areas usually along seams or the sewn in loops you can get a small tube of reproofing stuff.

Hope this helps.



-------------
FIONA



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