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Topic: Leaky Tent

ShaunNR

16/8/2015 at 3:59pm
Location: Grimsby
Outfit: Gelert Saturn 8

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Hi,
We've just returned from a weeks camping in Brixham. While we where there it rained for 3 days. The first day we had a small drip from the window. However by day 3 all the windows were leaking, the roof had lots of water droplets all over the inside. As a consequence the carpet was soaked, all our sleeping bags got a bit damp and pools of water had formed in the corners.

Apart from buying a new tent is there anything we can do to waterproof it? I thought of Fabsil or just buying a huge tarp and throwing it over the tent at the first sign of rain, which isn't very practicable. This is the fist time its had a soaking so the first time we've seen any leaks.

Its a Gelert Saturn 8 which apart from leaking is a perfect tent for my family.I realise in tent terms its cheap but at the moment I can't really afford anything better.

Shaun.

Sleeper17

16/8/2015 at 4:18pm
Location: Rossendale Valley UK
Outfit: Karsten 300 FFW CA EA RA

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Hi Shaun

I will ask if you are sure this is a waterproofing problem ie leaking or if it is a condensation issue?

I know it sounds strange to ask but dependant on conditions condensation can create a lot of wetness.

I have been really surprised how much condensation has formed in our tent on occasion whilst other times it's not an issue.

Just worth being sure before you go to trouble and cost of replacing.

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2019 : 9 Camps 48 nights
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2015 : 6 Camps 28 Nights

ShaunNR

16/8/2015 at 5:28pm
Location: Grimsby
Outfit: Gelert Saturn 8

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Hi,
Sleeper17 thanks for the reply :)

I had a thought(Hoped)it maybe condensation too so you've put my mind slightly at ease :) We're away in September for a long weekend so ill give the theory a test.....as long as it doesn't rain!

Cheers,
Shaun.

Sleeper17

16/8/2015 at 6:10pm
Location: Rossendale Valley UK
Outfit: Karsten 300 FFW CA EA RA

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Hope that's all it is. Rain can be one of the contributing factors due to it's cooling on the outside and the relative warmth on the inside.

Try a hose on it if you can and check when nobody is in it to eliminate actual water ingress.

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2019 : 9 Camps 48 nights
2018 : 8 Camp 47 nights
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2015 : 6 Camps 28 Nights

Sleeper17

16/8/2015 at 8:43pm
Location: Rossendale Valley UK
Outfit: Karsten 300 FFW CA EA RA

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Strangely enough I came across this tonight

Condensation

and how much water does 1 ltr look like inside a tent

1 Ltr Water

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2019 : 9 Camps 48 nights
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ShaunNR

16/8/2015 at 9:23pm
Location: Grimsby
Outfit: Gelert Saturn 8

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Hey Sleeper17,
That's exactly what my tent roof looked like! You've saved me binning a perfectly serviceable tent. You're a star.

I would turn the hose on it but i've just spent all day drying it out lol

Cheers,
Shaun.

Bob61

16/8/2015 at 9:39pm
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As above and as the video says...depending on the weather conditions you can get an awful lot of condensation in a tent. Thankfully, the conditions that create large amounts of condensation are rare (even in the UK) and providing you open all vents at all times regardless of the weather outside this will help to eliminate it.

It is extremely rare for water to penetrate a polyester tent directly through the material because it is waterproofed during manufacture. Sadly, not all tents are totally waterproof through the seams. Despite being taped on the inside seams occasionally leak and this can be cured with seam sealer.

Sometimes the seams will leak the first time a tent gets wet but then never leak again and I believe that is because the stitching has dried out and just like canvas tents may need a soaking to swell the cotton and fill the stitch hole. Taped seams shouldn't allow the seams to leak the first time, but unfortunately sometimes they do.

Sleeper17

16/8/2015 at 9:49pm
Location: Rossendale Valley UK
Outfit: Karsten 300 FFW CA EA RA

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Quote: Originally posted by ShaunNR on 16/8/2015
Hey Sleeper17,
That's exactly what my tent roof looked like! You've saved me binning a perfectly serviceable tent. You're a star.

I would turn the hose on it but i've just spent all day drying it out lol

Cheers,
Shaun.

Result!

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2019 : 9 Camps 48 nights
2018 : 8 Camp 47 nights
2017 : 9 Camps 52 nights
2016 : 9 Camps 45 nights
2015 : 6 Camps 28 Nights

denny98

16/8/2015 at 10:05pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Outwell Montana and Birdland 3

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Out of interest is condensation becoming more noticable? I have an ageing Monty 6 but it has a vast number of ventilation flaps, which we have open whatever the weather, touch wood no condensation suffered as yet.
This year have been looking at newer tents and they seem to have vast windows and no real ventilation flaps.

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Denise

Gloucester

17/8/2015 at 7:19am
Location: Gloucestershire
Outfit: Royal Pescara 8 & Quechua pop-ups

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Our tent will always have some water in the corners at the end of a rainy camp, but I think it's condensation settling at the lowest point.

Why did your sleeping bags get wet? Most tents have waterproof pods - that's unusual unless you're pressing against the tent whilst sleeping which can cause water to wick through.

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2014
Far Peak & Whitemead- April
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2015
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Bob61

17/8/2015 at 11:40am
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Quote: Originally posted by denny98 on 16/8/2015
Out of interest is condensation becoming more noticable? I have an ageing Monty 6 but it has a vast number of ventilation flaps, which we have open whatever the weather, touch wood no condensation suffered as yet.
This year have been looking at newer tents and they seem to have vast windows and no real ventilation flaps.

That is a good question. Global warming maybe, or modern tents being skimped on vents?

After years of camping solo and never suffering any condensation, a couple of years ago I bought a Coleman tent which had 3 large vents and even erected in the garden with nobody in it, after a few days of rain condensation was dripping off the roof.

Apart from leaking seams to begin with my present Coleman tent only has 3 very small vents and so far I have had no condensation...so it's all a bit of a mystery.

There certainly seems to be a lot more complaints of leaking/condensation in tents these last 2 or 3 years than there ever used to be.

Davy / Jean

20/8/2015 at 2:43am
Location: Gateshead
Outfit: Outwell Montanna 600p

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Condensation let's hope that's all it is 😎

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Davy

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