A standard 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 truth of the matter is that almost all are waterproof at finest. We wrote a common article that covers all of the the explanation why a tent is likely to be moist right here.
Nevertheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms should not normally waterproof. Whereas most tent producers do add a layer of waterproofing on the underside, it’s normally lackluster and won’t maintain up for lengthy. For the reason that backside of the tent is uncovered to probably the most put on and floor moisture, it is vitally prone to be the wrongdoer in the case 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 notice how vital this step is. The tent flooring is the bottom of your shelter and normally has to carry as much as particles underneath the tent, folks strolling on prime of it, and having gear sitting on it. A method to assist defend your tent flooring and maintain 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 utilize underneath your tent to assist defend it from particles and add slightly further 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 defend towards moisture from the bottom wicking by means of the underside of your tent.
We have now an incredible article on utilizing tarps underneath and over your tent right here.
You may also discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
Another choice is a water-proof material corresponding to canvas. For those who use a cloth it’s crucial that it’s tear-resistant and that’s the reason we advocate canvas. The draw back is that tarps are normally extra inexpensive 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 understand those that appear like puzzle items on the sides. You’ll need the heavy responsibility ones nevertheless it truly works nice. Not solely does this add a pleasant layer between your tent flooring and the bottom however you’ll get a pleasant padded flooring as properly.
The draw back is that if your campsite just isn’t near your automobile, you would need to carry these pads to your web site and they are often heavy to hold for lengthy distances.
For extra nice studying we’ve an article about why you want a footprint underneath your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles that you would be able to earlier than you place 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 another objects with sharp edges can tear your tent flooring. A tear is normally fairly straightforward to establish however particles can even result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a manner in even by means of very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger harm however natural particles, corresponding to grass, and leaves retain water underneath your tent and the longer water is there, the extra probabilities it’s going to discover a manner 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 means of your tent flooring however in case you are tenting throughout a rainstorm, this is probably not sufficient. Since heavy rain can result in water getting between the protecting layer and the tent backside it will be important that the tent flooring itself have an additional layer of waterproofing.
The simplest resolution is so as to add a water-proof sealant. Though most tents include a sealant on one aspect, we extremely advocate including an additional layer of waterproofing to this since most tent’s preliminary waterproofing won’t be excellent. Additionally, we extremely advocate 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’ve had nice success with is fairly inexpensive and may be discovered on Amazon right here.
We have now an article that you’ll take pleasure in on waterproofing your complete tent right here.
Extra ideas for stopping your tent backside from leaking.
This will sound apparent however we’ve seen this many instances. All the time attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. This may maintain 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 melancholy on the bottom, water will pool underneath your tent and this may result in moisture-wicking.
Be sure that the bottom underneath your tent is stable. Delicate floor can result in melancholy 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 melancholy for water to gather.
Utilizing a tarp or cover above your tent will help too. You may angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a course away out of your tent. This may tremendously scale back the quantity of water that will get underneath your tent.
If you’re new to tent tenting or have been doing it some time, be sure you try our tent tenting articles right here. We have now articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.