Waking up to water dripping through the ‘waterproof’ rain fly or the small tributary that seems to be making its way down the center of your tent can be a disturbing feeling, especially at two in the morning.
Once waterproofed, always waterproof doesn’t apply in the outdoor realm. Time, heat, ultraviolet light and the storage of gear have a way of degrading the water repellency of even the most expensive technical fabrics.
While we will be going over the steps to re-waterproof that pre-existing shelter, the same holds true for a new tent as well.
Here is an overview for waterproofing your way to a wonderful wilderness (or campground) experience:
Step 1:
Always use a tarp or preferred custom-cut ‘footprint’ (made by many tent manufacturers) that has the same floor plan as the tent. While this adds a first layer of defense against moisture from below, it also prevents rocks and other objects from damaging the tent floor.
Step 2:
Clean your tent. Using a non-abrasive sponge, cold water and non-detergent soap, gently clean the tent fabric to remove any debris. Allow the tent to dry completely.
Step 3:
Gently peel away any flaking existing sealant. Reapply a thin coat of paint-on polyurethane sealant on worn areas.
Step 4:
A product that we really like for increasing the life expectancy and effectiveness of your tent is Nikwax Tent and Gear Solarproof. While the name can be a little misleading, Solarproof adds Durable Water Repellency (DWR) and helps to protect your tent from ultraviolet light.
••• Solarproof is water based, non-aerosol, non-flammable, non-hazardous and environmentally friendly. It contains no harmful solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and is completely fluorocarbon free.
Step 5:
And, finally, never store your tent wet. Upon returning home from any camping trip, allow your tent to adequately dry before storing. Never machine dry a tent or rain fly.
Step 6:
Plan your next trip.
