Weatherproofing A Family Tent

Weatherproofing a family tent is essential if you do not wish to find yourself waking up in the morning surrounded by water from last night’s rainfall. Whether you are looking to purchase a new tent, or are considering weatherproofing your existing family tent, you will need to understand precisely how watertight tents can be.

The majority of happy campers believe that tents labeled as being “water-resistant” or “weather-resistant” will keep them warm and dry. However, this may only mean that the material your tent is made of will resist leaks in modest rainfall. Weather-resistant or water-resistant family tents usually lack additional weatherproofing treatments and this means that, in heavy rainfall, water may start to penetrate your tent’s fabric.

If you are prone to setting up your tent in locations in which regular rainfall is likely, you will need greater protection from your tent. If purchasing a new tent, you will need to look for tents that are labeled as being “waterproof” – this is different from “water-resistant” or “weather-resistant”. A tent described as waterproof will have had its fabric treated with a quality sealing agent. Waterproof family tents may also have been made from tightly woven fabrics that keep water out.

If you are looking to weatherproof your existing family tent, you may wish to purchase a rainproof cover. A rainproof cover can be hung over your entire tent to protect it from the elements. Alternatively, you could treat your family tent with a sealant. You can seal new or existing tents. A chemical sealant increases the water-resistance of your tent’s fabric. Sealants can be bought in the majority of camping supply stores.

In the event that you decide to seal your tent, you should ensure that your chosen product is able to work with the fabric your tent is composed from. It is essential that you purchase a sealant designed for use with tents. You should ideally seal your tent well in advance of your camping trip as you will usually be required to apply a minimum of two coats of sealant, allowing around 48 hours for the sealant to dry in between coats. Sealing a tent can therefore take time and effort. Tent seams are particularly prone to leaking. To weatherproof seams, it is necessary to apply a brush-on gel sealant or wax sealant. Again, at least two coats – applied both outside and inside of seams – will be required.

It is essential that you try your tent out before you embark on your camping trip. Pitch it in your backyard and soak it with your water hose. This will help you to determine whether all your efforts weatherproofing a family tent have proved successful.