Here in the UK, you never can quite trust the weather. It might be glorious sunshine one minute, and before you know it, the rain is coming down in buckets. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your tent is properly waterproofed.
With the summer months on their way, you could be planning your first outdoors trip for a while – and so you’ll want to make sure there are no nasty surprises lying in wait when you pitch up at your campsite.
The good news is that most tents are either covered in a waterproof membrane or treated with some kind of waterproofing agent in order to stop moisture soaking through the fabric.
However, after a while, this coating will wear away and it will need replacing with tent waterproofing spray – if you don’t then you and your things could wake up a bit soggy after a downpour!
Read on discover everything about waterproofing your tent, and be ready for anything nature can throw at you, in spring, summer or winter…
But of course, you want something a bit more detailed than that, so here’s our in-depth guide with a few handy hints and tips thrown in.
The waterproof coatings on your tent should last a while, so if you’ve only just bought it, then you shouldn’t need to apply any further coating.
It may become visibly noticeable that the coating on your tent is flaking off, at which point it will definitely need reapplying.
The best way to check is to simply test it yourself using a water spray. If the water doesn’t bead on the outside or you notice it soaking through at some places then it could do with reproofing.
Where the different parts of fabric have been stitched together is a prime spot for water to leak in, so it’s important you ensure the seams are well sealed. Like the rest of the tent, seams should have a waterproof coating, but this will wear away in time. Some seams may also have flaps covering them to protect them further.
Tip: Even if only a small part of the seam is letting in water or appears worn, it’s advisable to reproof as many of the seams as possible to be safe. If the seams are damaged or coming apart, then you’ll need to get them repaired.
The urethane coating can flake off over time, so if you’ve noticed any flakes anywhere under the rainfly or on the floor of the tent, then you’ll need to apply a new coating.
The DWR (durable water repellent) is what makes water bead up on the outside of your flysheet and prevents it from soaking through.
Polycotton tents and canvas tents are a little different from regular tents when it comes to waterproofing.
Although they have a water-repellent coating, they need weathering before you use them. This is because there are small holes where they’ve been stitched, which can let water in. By giving the tent a light hosing down, the weave tightens up and expands the material, making it more waterproof.
Even if you’re confident that you’re going to have perfect weather for the entirety of your camping trip, it’s always wise to ensure your tent is properly waterproofed.
You don’t know if the weather is going to suddenly change or if you’re going to have to take a detour and camp somewhere with less favourable weather.
You also need to be aware of early morning dew on your tent. If your tent isn’t water repellent, then the dew can soak through.
If you know the weather is going to particularly inclement or has the potential to be, then it might be worth applying an extra waterproofing coat to make extra sure.
Leave your tent to dry after the first coat before applying the second.
If your groundsheet isn’t up to scratch, then that could be a cause of water getting into your tent. Having a bathtub sewn-in groundsheet, where the groundsheet is part of the tent and the sides are turned up, is a great way of keeping water out.
The tent waterproof rating, also known as the hydrostatic head (HH), dictates just how waterproof the tent is.
The hydrostatic head shows the depth of a column of water the tent can withstand before it starts to leak through. For example, a tent with a 4,000mm HH would be able to keep a column of water 4,000mm deep.
As you’d expect, different tents have different hydrostatic head waterproof ratings. If you want a tent that is more waterproof, go for one with a higher HH.
Hopefully, you are now fully filled-in on how to re-proof a tent so you are ready for not only the new camping season but whatever the British weather tries to throw at you. If you do feel as though your tent is beyond saving, Winfields stock the latest tents from the biggest brands, so you’re guaranteed to find the ideal home-from-home.
Click on the links below for more camping and tent essentials.
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