Let’s talk about camping gear. There are lots of pieces of gear we bring with us when we camp, but few items are quite as important as a quality tent. Tents help block out the wind, the rain, the snow, and the sun. They are our temporary homes away from home. Tents also block out animals and insects making your sleeping environment safer. Certain tents also insulate in some of your body heat at night. Of all of these advantages, keeping you dry is probably at the top of the list.
So let’s go shopping for a tent. You do your research and find the perfect tent online or at a local store. You make the purchase confident in the words ‘water-resistant’ that were listed on the box. Surely a brand new tent can handle some rain, right? Not necessarily. Last year I had a similar situation in which I purchased a tent and ended up waterlogged on our first camping trip.
Many high-end tents are considered waterproof as the design has additional features using higher quality materials to keep water out. That does not necessarily mean that they are 100% waterproof. Even if they were, seams and tent material will degrade over the years. This is true whether you use the tent every month or if it stays in the garage every year.
Exposure to the sun, rain, and debris just speeds up this degradation. Regular use causes everything to stretch from setting up the tent and breaking it down. As materials and seams stretch, they will be more prone to let in moisture. You really should waterproof your tent to ensure that this does not happen.
The truth is that tent manufacturers can list on the package that their product is ‘water resistant’ and the tent really does not have to do much to keep water out. There is no need to worry about this with high-quality products, but you must question waterproofing when you find a really good deal.
When you buy lower quality tents to save money, waterproofing is even more important. However, even applying the products we are discussing may not make your tent 100% waterproof. Every time you waterproof your tent, you are simply increasing its water resistance. You may be satisfied after the first round, or it may take a few. In this article, we will discuss why you should waterproof your tent and how you can DIY the project.
Wear and Tear
Let’s face it. Tents take a lot of abuse. When they are treated properly, the material and seams are still stretched. Even if you use a tent footprint, the material often comes in contact with rocks and sticks. Even if it doesn’t rain, the dew on your tent in the morning affects the material as it dries in the sun. The tent is rolled up and stuffed into a bag until the next time you camp.
If I am honest, there are times I do not care for my tent properly and I roll it up wet. Sometimes you just don’t have time to dry out the tent, but that can cause mildew that does further damage to the tent. All of this abuse makes materials thinner and more porous, so moisture will be more likely to get inside the tent. Waterproofing your tent extends its life. The products we apply will help fill in pores and small holes so that moisture cannot build up and seep inside.
Sun Damage
One of the elements that do the most damage to our tents is the sun. This is evidenced by how quickly the color fades from our tents. We have to put on sunblock to protect our skin from UV rays. Why would tent materials be any different? Waterproofing will help with protecting the tent from UV rays. If you use your tent a few times a year, the sun could do serious damage in just a few years. Be sure you remember that waterproofing protects from the sun as well.
Seals on Seams
The seams on most tents are different than the seams on your clothing in one important way. Most tent manufacturers will apply a seal on the seams to keep water from seeping through. Some seals are better than others, but any seal is a good thing. One of the first issues your tent can have is the seals on the seams going bad.
As you use a tent and seams are stretched, they will lose their seals. Unfortunately, seams are often areas where water will pool. This also makes It a key spot for water to seep inside. As part of the waterproofing process, you will want to apply a seam sealant to repair this seal. This should be a key point of focus for this project.
How to DIY Waterproof a Tent
Every time you waterproof a tent, you add a layer of water resistance. This has a cumulative effect over time. To an extent, the more frequently you waterproof the less likely your tent will be to leak. There is a point of diminishing returns. Obviously, you don’t want to waterproof once a month or anything.
Figure out how often you waterproof your tent based on how often you use it. You should also consider how well you take care of the tent and what weather conditions you camp in. For example, you should waterproof more frequently if you camp in the snow and rain versus just camping in nice weather. Also, you should waterproof more if you pack your tent wet and use it a dozen times a year versus using it once or twice and packing it up properly.
Just use some common sense on this. The more abuse your tent endures, the more protection you should add through waterproofing. I suggest waterproofing at least once a year before your first trip, but two or three times a year would be better.
Prepping and Waterproofing Material
To start the waterproofing process, you need to figure out where the weakest points are in the tent. As you inspect the tent, you could find that there are just a couple of problem areas or could find that the entire tent needs help. To inspect your tent, set it up in the backyard under a sprinkler. Once it has been soaking for a while, open up the tent and look for wet areas. Specifically, look at the seams and look for any rips or holes. The floor of the tent is the most likely part to have damage, so check it carefully.
You will need to get the tent good and clean before you apply any waterproofing. It is already set up and wet, so just rub it down with a sponge and soapy warm water. Focus on the seams as they collect more dirt. You are also removing loose pieces of seal that cannot be there when you add a new seal. Then rinse it off to eliminate debris and soapy residue. Never try to clean your tent in the washer as it will likely ruin the tent.
While the tent is still wet, you will apply your waterproofing product. You can buy sprays which I find to be the easiest option, but you can apply product with a brush or sponge as well. If you get a buildup of product in one spot, use a wet cloth to wipe it down. It will not dry properly if you apply too much product in one spot. Once it has completely dried, you can move on to the more detailed work.
Sealing Seams and Patching Holes
I like to work on the seams next. You will need to break the tent down and lay it out flat with the seams facing up. Apply some rubbing alcohol on the seams to remove debris and pieces of seal that are hanging on. Remove these pieces by hand if needed. Each product is a little different, but you will likely apply the sealant with a small brush. You will then need to let it dry completely before moving on to patching.
If your tent has tears or holes in the walls or floor, they will need to be patched from the inside. You can find patch kits online or in camping or outdoor stores. Generally, there is an adhesive and a plastic or fabric patch to apply over the hole or tear. You can also get patch kits for mesh or netting on the windows and doors, so this would be the time to fix these problems as well. Once your patches have dried, you are ready to roll up your tent.
Waterproofing Products
There are lots of different waterproofing products on the market, so take the time to read up on your options. You can save some money by buying a pack with both a waterproofing treatment and a cleanser. Some products are specifically designed with more UV protection. If you really hunt you might even find a package deal with waterproofing, seam sealant, and patch kits. Just make sure you know what you are buying.
Preventative treatments are generally what I look for. Products like Nikwax Tent Solarproof are designed to be applied to the tent right out of the box. These treatments can significantly improve the durability of the tent. You can also find products like Kiwi makes that will repel water on tents but also on other items. For tents, it is suggested that you apply the product twice for maximum effectiveness.
Canvas Wall Tents
People who are serious about camping often use canvas wall tents. They completely block the wind, hold in heat, and keep out rain and snow. These tents are large and heavy, so they are intended for camping in one spot for an extended period of time. Many people building a homestead in the wilderness will live in a wall tent while they construct their homes. The military uses wall tents all four seasons for shelter.
These tents are also designed to work with a wood stove and smokestack for keeping warm and toasty. We stayed in canvas wall tents in both Missouri and Colorado for Boy Scouts when I was younger, and they were great. In addition to being heavy and taking up a bunch of space, they are quite expensive.
Often campers will spend hundreds or even thousand of dollars on a canvas wall tent and instantly want to waterproof it. The weird thing is that no waterproofing is needed. Canvas is made of cotton which by nature will be more waterproof after a few uses. The very first time you use a canvas tent you may notice a few small leaks at the seams. Normally this will be over by the third use.
When the cotton fibers in the seams and fabric come in contact with moisture, they swell. This moisture could be from rain, snow, or even just dew. Then the cotton fibers will constrict, and the seams and pores will seal up even tighter. If you really want your brand new tent to be more waterproof, set it up in the back yard and douse it with the sprinkler. Wet it and dry it two or three times and you should be good.
Camping is one of my family’s favorite ways to enjoy time together. We love getting out in nature and unplugging for a while. The last year or two, this has been even more important. The normal vacations we used to take are no longer a feasible option, but camping is a great substitute. Dealing with camping gear can be frustrating, and nothing is quite as bad as a leaky tent.
If you want to be sure that your camping experience is enjoyable, you just need to take good care of your gear. Clean your tent after use and dry it before packing it up. Use a tent footprint and be sure the area is clear of debris before you set up the tent. Finally, waterproof your tent regularly and repair any damage you notice. If you take care of your gear, it can last a lifetime and keep you dry for years to come.