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 could be moist right here.
Nonetheless, on this article, we’re going to cowl tent bottoms solely.
So are tent bottoms waterproof?
Tent bottoms should not 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 probably the most put on and floor moisture, it is rather prone to be the perpetrator in relation 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 vital this step is. The tent ground is the bottom of your shelter and often has to carry as much as particles beneath the tent, folks strolling on prime of it, and having gear sitting on it. A method to assist shield your tent ground and maintain 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 beneath your tent to assist shield it from particles and add a bit of further thermal barrier between you and the bottom.
In case your tent doesn’t have this sheet, you’ll be able to 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 the underside of your tent.
We have now a terrific article on utilizing tarps beneath and over your tent right here.
You can even discover tent tarps right here on Amazon.
An alternative choice is a water-resistant material akin to canvas. When you use a cloth it’s crucial that it’s tear-resistant and that’s the reason we advocate 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 realize those that seem like puzzle items on the sides. You’ll need the heavy responsibility ones however it really 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 shouldn’t be near your automobile, 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 beneath your tent right here.
Take away all of the particles you could earlier than you place 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 every other objects with sharp edges can tear your tent ground. A tear is often fairly straightforward to determine however particles can even 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, akin to grass, and leaves retain water beneath your tent and the longer water is there, the extra possibilities it should 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’s important that the tent ground itself have an additional layer of waterproofing.
The best answer is so as to add a water-resistant sealant. Though most tents include a sealant on one facet, we extremely advocate including an additional layer of waterproofing to this since most tent’s preliminary waterproofing is not going to be superb. 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 now have had nice success with is fairly inexpensive and will be discovered on Amazon right here.
We have now 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 we now have seen this many occasions. At all times attempt to place your tent on excessive floor. This can maintain water flowing away out of your tent as an alternative of beneath your tent.
Even when on excessive floor keep away from depressions. you’ll be able to simply overlook this in grass or floor suffering from particles but when your tent is in a despair on the bottom, water will pool beneath your tent and this may result in moisture-wicking.
Be certain that the bottom beneath your tent is strong. Smooth floor can result in despair beneath your tent. The burden of your gear and simply merely strolling round inside your tent will trigger the smooth 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’ll be able to angle a tarp to direct rainwater above your tent in a path away out of your tent. This may tremendously scale back the quantity of water that will get beneath your tent.
If you’re new to tent tenting or have been doing it some time, be sure you try our tent tenting articles right here. We have now articles for tent newcomers in addition to seasoned tent campers.
