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Soulpad leaking - what are we doing wrong?

12 replies

MandragoraWurzelstock · 12/04/2013 19:30

It's been heavy rain here for a couple of nights, the tent is up in the garden and I've just found a huge amount of water has got in.

We haven't pegged out every line particularly thoroughly - is this the reason?

Or do I need to re-proof it or something? I have no idea how!

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nizzy99 · 12/04/2013 22:57

How long have you had it? Has it been "weathered"?

It shouldn't have leaked a huge amount of water regardless I wouldn't think, is the leak in a particular area ie near a zip ?

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MandragoraWurzelstock · 13/04/2013 10:37

It seems to be all over, but having read up on their website this seems to be what's called weathering - thankyou for pointing it out! It's only been used once, we got it second hand and she said it had been rained on that time, I think I'll peg it out properly and just wait for it to sort itself out.

I can't see any holes or anything - so I'll have to assume it's just new, and it was an awful lot of rain we had.

I thought it might need proofing with some chemical or something but very relieved to know that's not the case.

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VivaLeBeaver · 13/04/2013 10:44

I had this a bit the first time I used ours. But I hadn't pegged it out properly and the overhang bit from the roof kept sagging and touching the sides and it seemed to drip through there. Wasn't loads though, just needed a bit of a wipe up now and then. And it was the awful jubilee weekend last year where it was like a monsoon for a week.

So I'm suprised you've had a huge amount of water, though if you've not been going in I suppose it might just have accumulated over a few days?

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MandragoraWurzelstock · 13/04/2013 10:48

Thanks Viva, I'm now wondering if it was the night that ds1 left the windows unzipped - he said a bit had got in, but the top of the sleeping bag looked dry and it was only when I picked it up that I noticed all the water.

So maybe it got in that night and he just didn't notice.
Hmmm

same as you re the pegging though, I did it very lazily as a 'test run' sort of thing and couldn't get all of them into the ground so it was very saggy.

Hoping it will resolve as it's a lovely tent!

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VivaLeBeaver · 13/04/2013 11:02

I've only used mine once since. Just as I got the last peg in the heavens open and there was the most awful thunderstorm with loads of rain. It was fine that time so I'd either pegged it out better or maybe the first time it was a weathering issue. But I don't think you'll have any problems.

Open windows does sound a possible cause!

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MandragoraWurzelstock · 13/04/2013 13:38

Oh that is very good to know, thankyou!

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hz · 13/04/2013 16:38

Pegging it out properly will make a huge difference! Otherwise water will accumulate in the wrong place and soak through.

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MandragoraWurzelstock · 14/04/2013 19:22

Thankyou - yes it could well have been that. I've been in with a couple of old towels now and mopped it up, also pegged out the guys a bit more tightly. Do you peg out the second layer as well?

Currently have pegs thru lowest straps, with the eyelets in them, but not the next level up - just at the top of the groundsheet iyswim? Should I peg those too - there's no string in them at present.

I have obvs pegged out the guy ropes from the top bit.

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TheRealMBJ · 14/04/2013 20:53
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MandragoraWurzelstock · 14/04/2013 21:14

Brilliant - thanks for the link. I've just read the entire manual for our tent! Smile

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bltglark22 · 18/04/2013 10:18

Hi,
Did you sort this out? I'm just about to buy a bell tent and am nervous about problems with it been so expensive!
thanks

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nizzy99 · 18/04/2013 19:09

I would think that it's just down to weathering although I obviously can't confirm in this case, customer service for soulpad is amazing so you shouldn't have any problems if you do have problems (that's confusing) its just a case of the fibres expanding to form a seal, spraying it with a hose in the garden before 1st use should sort it out quickly.

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