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 assume that tents come waterproofed however the truth of the matter is that the majority are waterproof at finest. We wrote a normal article that covers all of the the reason why a tent is perhaps moist right here.
Nonetheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms usually are 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 essentially the most put on and floor moisture, it is extremely prone to be the wrongdoer on the subject of moisture in a tent.
We’ll stroll you thru defending your tent ground and stopping future leaks by waterproofing.
Defending your tent backside.
Many individuals don’t notice how vital this step is. The tent ground is the bottom of your shelter and normally has to carry as much as particles below the tent, individuals strolling on prime of it, and having tools sitting on it. A technique to assist defend your tent ground 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 should use below 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. It will have the identical protecting options and also will assist defend towards moisture from the bottom wicking by the underside of your tent.
We now have an incredible article on utilizing tarps below and over your tent right here.
You can even discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
Another choice is a water-resistant cloth reminiscent of canvas. Should 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. 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 ground and the bottom however you’ll get a pleasant padded ground as properly.
The draw back is that if your campsite is just not near your car, 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 below your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles which 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 below your tent ground, however rocks, sticks another objects with sharp edges can tear your tent ground. A tear is normally fairly simple to determine however particles may also result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a manner in even by very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger harm however natural particles, reminiscent of grass, and leaves retain water below your tent and the longer water is there, the extra probabilities it would 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 your tent ground 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 is necessary that the tent ground 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 is not going to be excellent. Additionally, we extremely advocate including waterproofing to each the highest and backside of your tent ground. 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 now have an article that you’ll take pleasure in on waterproofing your entire tent right here.
Extra suggestions for stopping your tent backside from leaking.
This may occasionally sound apparent however we’ve got seen this many instances. At all times attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. It will hold water flowing away out of your tent as an alternative of below your tent.
Even when on excessive floor keep away from depressions. you possibly can simply overlook this in grass or floor plagued by particles but when your tent is in a despair on the bottom, water will pool below your tent and this could result in moisture-wicking.
Be sure that the bottom below your tent is stable. Mushy floor can result in despair below your tent. The load of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the tender floor to compress and go away a gap or despair for water to gather.
Utilizing a tarp or cover above your tent may also help too. You possibly can angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a route away out of your tent. This could tremendously scale back the quantity of water that will get below your tent.
If you’re new to tent tenting or have been doing it some time, you should definitely try our tent tenting articles right here. We now have articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.