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I was wondering what you do if you are miles away on your holiday and your tent starts to leak with the rain? Would you have to pack up and head home or is there something you can buy from a camping shop which means you dont have to cut your holiday short?

Depends on what is causing the leak.

New tent,    we recommend that everyone test pitches the new tent and put a hose pipe on it.  If there is a problem find out first.

Seams,     tube of seam sealer easily available

Fabric,      waterproofer also available from camping shops

Hole.        Small to medium   tenacious tape      Large rip then a tarp .  

Cheap and nasty never stood a chance tent.        Tarp again

Condensation,   this is the usual suspect  open vents

Going home.       Not an option

Quote: Originally posted by adamcolly on 22/7/2009

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I was wondering what you do if you are miles away on your holiday and your tent starts to leak with the rain? Would you have to pack up and head home or is there something you can buy from a camping shop which means you dont have to cut your holiday short?

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We went for a third option - stick a saucepan under the drip and carry on as normal

I really need to sort it out before our next trip though. It was only a very small leak and I'm sure it can be easily sorted with some of the seam sealer mentioned above.

I just need to work out how you do that though - presumably you have to do it while the seam is under tension? My problem is that the leak is right in the middle of the tent at the highest point - there's no way I'll be able to reach it when the tent's up - wonder if it would be sufficient to just have it in the arch shape on the ground?

Moomin

Highest point in tent tends  to be condensation I would check for that first.

Hi. Oldham's list says it all really. To deal with each of those eventualities, it is a good ideas to have a repair kit with you - seam sealant, tenacious tape, duct tape, spare pole bits (depending on type of tent).

And it is a good idea to test a new tent with a hosepipe (or just outside in the rain!) to look for leaks. If you spot a leak make a note of where it is as you need to wait until the tent is dry to treat it.

If using seam sealant you need to be aware that it is quite tacky stuff and needs 24 hours to dry properly. If you put the tent away too soon it could stick to itself and do more damage. If it is a fastening loop that is wicking water into the tent then weight the loop with a tent peg whilst the sealant dries in order to stop it sticking to the flysheet.

Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 22/7/2009

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Moomin

Highest point in tent tends  to be condensation I would check for that first.

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