Sο i јυѕt gοt back frοm a camping trip аnd wе hаd a surprise thunder storm around 1 аm luckily wе рυt thе flу’s up јυѕt іn case bυt thе tent i wаѕ іn hаd a leak іn thе flу аnd οf course іt wаѕ rіght over mу bag аnd thе οnlу thing i сουld dο wаѕ cuddle up tο thе person next tο mе tο avoid getting wet. fοr future refrence іѕ thеіr anything thаt i сουld οf done tο ѕtοр thе leaking during thе storm.
wаѕ nοt mу tent іt wаѕ a friends mу tent hаd nο problems whаt ѕο еνеr during thе storm.
Once the storm hits, you are stuck (unless you have a waterproof tarp to cover the leak.
In advance of camping, waterproof your tent seams and your fly seams. And, by all means, avoid anything from touching the tent while its raining (from the inside). It will draw water in.
Best bet would be to throw your rain gear (poncho, jacket, etc. , which you should always bring when camping) over the leaking spot outside the tent. Do so in a way that wold make the water go away from the hole.
You can also use duct tape as a quick temporary fix, but it might not work,, and the tent would be done for after that (your not getting the tape off and can’t fix/re-seal).
I take a small roll of Gorilla tape with me. its like waterproof outdoor duck-tape on steroids. one of its many potential uses when camping is patching a leak in a tent.
As one write has said, waterproof you tent and fly before camping. You might set up your tent in the back yard and lightly spray it with water if you can’t visibly see the hole to determine where exacly the leak is. . Once you have located the hole you might try patching materials that are used for inflatable air mattresses and the adhesive that comes with them to patch the hole. I would waterproof it thoroughly once you have fixed it.
I will second the Gorilla tape suggestion, I use that as well not for leaks so much as my tents are guaranteed against that (Coleman Tents), and I set my tents properly to start with. All my tents get a thorough inspection before the season starts and any defects are repaired or sent back to the manufacturer. The main problem we get are punctures and that’s where the gorilla tape comes in very handy. Punctures can be avoided by proper tent setting and packing. Tent poles not properly packed will rip a hole with ease as will tent stakes. With proper care and packing a good tent will last many years.
A quick cover for rain protection that a lot of people forget that they have in there emergency kits are the mylar space blankets these little items fold up so small and get packed away and then forgotten. They cost about a dollar in the sporting goods store and they unfold to the size of a twin blanket big enough to cover a 1-2 man tent’s leaking rain fly. You take a little bit of the gorilla tape to make tie downs and presto the fix is done.
Duct Tape the leak, sure it`ll look bad and leave glue on the fabric but you`ll be dry. Or you can get out throw a tarp over the fly and go back to bed.
Be Prepared
If I ever discover a leak in my canvas tarps or tent I carry a chunk of bees- wax and just rub the hole till it quits leaking. . . . . or toss a 10×10 chunk of plastic tarp over the leak area.