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 reality of the matter is that almost all are water resistant at finest. We wrote a normal article that covers all of the the reason why a tent may be moist right here.
Nevertheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms aren’t 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 vitally prone to be the offender relating to moisture in a tent.
We are going to stroll you thru defending your tent ground and stopping future leaks by waterproofing.
Defending your tent backside.
Many individuals don’t understand how essential this step is. The tent ground is the bottom of your shelter and often has to carry as much as particles beneath the tent, individuals strolling on prime of it, and having tools sitting on it. A technique to assist shield 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 beneath your tent to assist shield it from particles and add just a little 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 shield in opposition to moisture from the bottom wicking by means of the underside of your tent.
We’ve got an incredible article on utilizing tarps beneath and over your tent right here.
You can even discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
Another choice is a water-proof cloth equivalent to canvas. In case 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 inexpensive 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. You recognize those that appear to be puzzle items on the sides. You have to the heavy obligation 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 nicely.
The draw back is that if your campsite will not be 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 now we have an article about why you want a footprint beneath your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles which you could 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 ground, however rocks, sticks some other objects with sharp edges can tear your tent ground. A tear is often fairly simple to establish however particles also can result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a approach in even by means of very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger harm however natural particles, equivalent to grass, and leaves retain water beneath your tent and the longer water is there, the extra possibilities it’ll 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 means of your tent ground however if you’re 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 significant that the tent ground itself have an additional layer of waterproofing.
The best answer is so as to add a water-proof 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 excellent. Additionally, we extremely suggest 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 now we have had nice success with is fairly inexpensive and could be discovered on Amazon right here.
We’ve got 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 may increasingly sound apparent however now we have seen this many occasions. At all times attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. It will hold water flowing away out of your tent as a substitute of beneath 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 beneath your tent and this could result in moisture-wicking.
Make sure that the bottom beneath your tent is strong. Delicate floor can result in despair beneath your tent. The load of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the delicate floor to compress and go away a gap or despair for water to gather.
Utilizing a tarp or cover above your tent may help too. You may 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, be sure you take a look at our tent tenting articles right here. We’ve got articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.