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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 suppose that tents come waterproofed however the reality of the matter is that the majority are waterproof at greatest. We wrote a normal article that covers all of the the reason why a tent could be moist right here.
Nonetheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms should 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 rather prone to be the offender on the subject of moisture in a tent.
We’ll 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 beneath the tent, folks strolling on high of it, and having gear sitting on it. A method to assist defend your tent flooring and hold it waterproof is by utilizing a protecting layer barely bigger than your tent footprint beneath the ground.
Some tents include a tarp-like protecting sheet that you need to use beneath your tent to assist defend it from particles and add a bit of additional thermal barrier between you and the bottom.
In case your tent doesn’t have this sheet, you may merely use a heavy-duty tarp. It will have the identical protecting options and also will assist defend in opposition to moisture from the bottom wicking by way of the underside of your tent.
We have now an awesome article on utilizing tarps beneath and over your tent right here.
You may as well discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
Another choice is a water-resistant material reminiscent of canvas. When you use a material it’s crucial that or not 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 occasions (and I personally have now tried) is utilizing interlocking foam pads as a footprint. those that appear like puzzle items on the sides. You’ll need the heavy obligation ones nevertheless it really 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 shouldn’t be near your automobile, 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 have now an article about why you want a footprint beneath your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles that you may 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 beneath 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 also result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a approach in even by way of very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger injury however natural particles, reminiscent of grass, and leaves retain water beneath your tent and the longer water is there, the extra probabilities it’s going to discover a approach 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 way of your tent flooring however in case you are tenting throughout a rainstorm, this might 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 best resolution 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 have now had nice success with is fairly reasonably priced and could be discovered on Amazon right here.
We have now an article that you’ll get pleasure from on waterproofing your complete tent right here.
Extra ideas for stopping your tent backside from leaking.
This will sound apparent however we have now seen this many occasions. All the time attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. It will hold water flowing away out of your tent as an alternative of beneath your tent.
Even when on excessive floor keep away from depressions. you may simply overlook this in grass or floor affected by particles but when your tent is in a melancholy on the bottom, water will pool beneath your tent and this could result in moisture-wicking.
Be certain the bottom beneath your tent is strong. Smooth floor can result in melancholy beneath your tent. The burden of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the tender floor to compress and depart a gap or melancholy for water to gather.
Utilizing a tarp or cover above your tent may help too. You possibly can angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a course away out of your tent. This will tremendously cut back the quantity of water that will get beneath your tent.
In case you are new to tent tenting or have been doing it some time, remember to take a look at our tent tenting articles right here. We have now articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.
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