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 almost all are waterproof at finest. We wrote a normal article that covers all of the explanation 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 should 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. Because the backside of the tent is uncovered to probably the most put on and floor moisture, it is vitally more likely to be the wrongdoer in terms of 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 below the tent, folks strolling on prime of it, and having tools sitting on it. A technique to assist shield your tent flooring and preserve 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 need to use below your tent to assist shield it from particles and add a bit further thermal barrier between you and the bottom.
In case your tent doesn’t have this sheet, you may merely use a heavy-duty tarp. This can have the identical protecting options and also will assist shield towards moisture from the bottom wicking by means of the underside of your tent.
We have now a fantastic article on utilizing tarps below and over your tent right here.
You may as well discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
Another choice is a water-proof material akin to canvas. Should you use a material it’s crucial that it’s tear-resistant and that’s the reason we suggest canvas. The draw back is that tarps are normally extra inexpensive 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 already know those that seem like puzzle items on the sides. You will have the heavy responsibility ones however it really works nice. Not solely does this add a pleasant layer between your tent flooring and the bottom however you’ll get a pleasant padded flooring as properly.
The draw back is that if your campsite will not be near your car, you would need to carry these pads to your website and they are often heavy to hold for lengthy distances.
For extra nice studying we now have an article about why you want a footprint below your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles that you would be able to 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 flooring, however rocks, sticks some other objects with sharp edges can tear your tent flooring. A tear is normally fairly straightforward to determine however particles also can result in very small and hard-to-find holes. Sadly, water will discover a means in even by means of very small holes.
Not solely can particles trigger harm however natural particles, akin to grass, and leaves retain water below your tent and the longer water is there, the extra possibilities it is 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 means of your tent flooring however if you’re tenting throughout a rainstorm, this will not be sufficient. Since heavy rain can result in water getting between the protecting layer and the tent backside it will be significant that the tent flooring itself have an additional layer of waterproofing.
The simplest resolution 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 superb. Additionally, we extremely suggest 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 now have had nice success with is fairly inexpensive and may 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 will likely sound apparent however we now have seen this many instances. All the time attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. This can preserve water flowing away out of your tent as a substitute of below your tent.
Even when on excessive floor keep away from depressions. you may simply overlook this in grass or floor suffering from particles but when your tent is in a despair on the bottom, water will pool below your tent and this will result in moisture-wicking.
Ensure that the bottom below your tent is strong. Mushy floor can result in despair below your tent. The burden of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the comfortable 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 may angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a route away out of your tent. This may tremendously scale back the quantity of water that will get below your tent.
In case you are new to tent tenting or have been doing it some time, you’ll want to take a look at our tent tenting articles right here. We have now articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.
