How To Guides
- How to undertake a professional quality repair of your PVC or Hypalon RIB, inflatable boat and SIB tubes
- How to clean inflatable boats, protect RIB collars, tubes and sponsons, clean Hypalon and PVC inflatable boat fabric
- How to find a leak in my inflatable boat, RIB, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar or tubes
- How to fit a replacement screw-in type inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or dinghy inflation deflation valve
- How to fix or glue inflatable boat PVC fabric patches and accessories to Hypalon fabric RIB collars and tubes (and vice versa)
- How to identify the fabric of your RIB, inflatable boat, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar, tube or sponson. Hypalon or PVC?
- How to repair inflatable boat, RIB, RHIB, SIB and kayak collars, inflation tubes or sponsons
- How to replace a Leafield Marine A4 inflation/deflation valve older inflatable boats, RIBs, RHIBs and dinghies
- How to replace an inflatable boat valve
- How to service and/or fit a replacement diaphragm to the Alfons Haar type SF1 inflation valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine A7 or B7 inflatable boat valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine C7 inflatable boat valve
- How to clean your RIB with August Race products
- How to winterise and store inboard engines and outboard engines
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type A to a Hypalon inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other Hypalon / rubber inflatable structures
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type B to a PVC inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other PVC / vinyl structures
- How to check your lifejacket
- How to install a TRIB airCap HR
- How to install a TRIB airCap LF for Leafield Marine C7 & D7 valves
- How to store your inflatable boat over winter
- How to look after and maintain the ropes on your boat
RIBs & Inflatable Boats
Safety Data Sheets
Blog
How to find a leak in my inflatable boat, RIB, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar or tubes
It can be so frustrating when your inflatable boat or dinghy just will not hold air or maintain air pressure. You think you have a leak or puncture in your inflation collar or tube, or perhaps your inflatable boat valve is leaking air. Either way you need to find the source of the leak or puncture and get your inflatable boat, RIB, dinghy, inflatable kayak or life raft back on the water. This is how the professionals find leaks or punctures:
Inflate your inflatable collar or tubes to maximum working pressure (see your owner’s manual) or so that when tapped with the flat of your hand they sound like a drum.
Carefully inspect all areas of the inflatable collar or tubes, including the inflatable keel (if present) for any obvious signs of fabric wear.
Inspect all inflation valves by removing the caps and ensuring that the rubber diaphragms are correctly seated and there is no obvious sign of air leakage through the valves, replace the caps tightly. Correctly seated valve diaphragms often leak minor amounts of air, the valve cap is designed to be used as a secondary seal and should always be in place for optimum valve performance. See https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/advice-information for help and advice on how to repair or replace a boat valve or fit a new valve diaphragm.
Using a plastic spray bottle (you can use an old detergent spray application bottle but ensure that the bottle is thoroughly rinsed-out first), mix mild/neutral Ph washing-up liquid with warm water in equal proportions.
Spray the soap solution over one section of the inflatable boat collars or tubes at a time, including the tube seams, closely inspecting all areas of the sprayed inflatable boat tube before moving onto the next section. Bubbles forming will show where any leaks are evident. Using a chinagraph pencil or waterproof marker, mark each leak on the inflatable collar to highlight the exact position of the leak.
Spray the soap solution over all the previously inspected, and tightly capped, inflation valves (and over-pressure relief valves, if present). Again, small bubbles will form if there is a leak in the inflatable boat valve. Inspect the source of the bubbles to see if the leak is from the valve body/cap or from the reinforcing fabric seam/joint surrounding the valve.
Once the inflatable boat has been fully inspected and the leaks identified hose-down the boat with fresh water and allow to dry thoroughly.
Carry out any tube fabric repairs using the correct fabric, solvent adhesive and/or replace/repair valves as necessary – see https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/advice-information
For repairs to inflatable dinghy floors/soles
Ensure that the inflatable dinghy is fully dry and lay the boat on a level table or trestles.
Turn the fully inflated dinghy upside down and sprinkle talcum powder over the base of the boat. Use a dry brush to spread the powder to ensure that the whole area is coated.
Turn the dinghy back over and carefully pour about a litre of fresh water into the boat. Gently agitate the water inside the boat to ensure that all areas have been covered with the water, taking care not to allow water to spill down the side of the boat.
Carefully lift the boat and observe any ‘wet patches’ on the powdered area of the inflatable boat floor or sole indicating that a puncture is present. Mark the leak with a chinagraph pencil or waterproof marker.
Empty the remaining water from the inflatable dinghy and allow to dry thoroughly.
Carry out any puncture repairs using the correct fabric, solvent and adhesive – see https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/advice-information for help and advice on how to repair inflatables.
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