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 the majority are waterproof at greatest. We wrote a basic article that covers all of the the explanation why a tent may be moist right here.
Nonetheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms aren’t 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 essentially the most put on and floor moisture, it is extremely more likely to be the wrongdoer relating to 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 essential this step is. The tent flooring is the bottom of your shelter and normally has to carry as much as particles beneath the tent, folks strolling on high of it, and having tools sitting on it. A technique 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 need to use beneath your tent to assist defend it from particles and add a little bit additional thermal barrier between you and the bottom.
In case your tent doesn’t have this sheet, you’ll be able to 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 way of the underside of your tent.
We have now a fantastic article on utilizing tarps beneath and over your tent right here.
You can even discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
An alternative choice is a water-resistant material equivalent to canvas. When you use a material 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 reasonably priced 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 realize those that appear to be puzzle items on the perimeters. You will have 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’re going to 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 got an article about why you want a footprint beneath your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles you can 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 another objects with sharp edges can tear your tent flooring. A tear is normally fairly simple to determine however particles can even result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a means in even by way of very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger injury however natural particles, equivalent to grass, and leaves retain water beneath your tent and the longer water is there, the extra probabilities it’s going to discover a means 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 important 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 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 got had nice success with is fairly reasonably priced and might be discovered on Amazon right here.
We have now an article that you’ll get pleasure from on waterproofing your entire tent right here.
Extra suggestions for stopping your tent backside from leaking.
This may increasingly sound apparent however we’ve got seen this many instances. At all times attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. This may maintain water flowing away out of your tent as a substitute of beneath your tent.
Even when on excessive floor keep away from depressions. you’ll be able to simply overlook this in grass or floor affected by particles but when your tent is in a despair on the bottom, water will pool beneath your tent and this will result in moisture-wicking.
Be certain the bottom beneath your tent is strong. Tender floor can result in despair beneath your tent. The load of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the mushy floor to compress and depart a gap or despair for water to gather.
Utilizing a tarp or cover above your tent might help too. You’ll be able to angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a path away out of your tent. This will tremendously scale 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, make sure to try our tent tenting articles right here. We have now articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.
