Need ideas on how to find a slow leak in an air mattress. (Vanity)

Free Republic | 01/15/2011 | BuckeyeTexan

[BuckeyeTexan]

Please excuse the vanity, fellow FReepers. I need some ideas on how to find a very slow leak in a Sleep Number interlocking-chamber air mattress.

When the mattress is aired up all the way, it will fully deflate by morning with body weight on it. (So 8-9 hours?) With no body weight on it, it holds air for days.

With/without body weight on it, there is no audible hissing sound, no current of escaping air that can be felt by hand, and no obvious tears or pinholes. The seams appear to be intact. The air hoses aren't twisted or crimped and also don't have any obvious holes.

Possibly irrelevant details: mattress is six years old and is black/blue in color.

Does anyone have any ideas or tips/tricks on how to find the leak?

Thanks, Tex

[library user]

Have her over for a visit:

[omega4179]

Lean it in a bathtub with max inflation
make leak detector out of water, with a little dishwashing liquid in it, spray on with spray bottle or pour slowly over inflatable item.
look for bubbles.

[screaminsunshine]

Spray with soapy water look for bubbles.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I think there is a separate level of hell reserved for people who do what you just did...

[Popman]

Drop it in your pool to find the leak !

[tumblindice]

I used to find pin-hole leaks in bicycle tubes by slowly dipping them around in a tub of soapy water. There are air bubbles around the hole.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

See if this will help:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7412239_leak-sleep-number-bed.html

[TribalPrincess2U]

That’s a mighty stool.

[JPG]

Her? Not a second time. She’s already destoyed my couch.

[beebuster2000]

wait until dark. get a cylinder of radioactive gas, then use that to fill the mattress. put on special googles, and watch for plumes that glow.
worked for me.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I’ll bet she can turn loose a mighty stool as well...

[Gadsden1st]

“That’s a mighty stool”

I think its a chair.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Air up the mattress as full as possible, take a pump spray bottle and fill it with liquid dish soap and water. (Only use about a teaspoon of dish soap.) then spray a fine mist of the solution over the top half first, watch it closely for about 5 minutes. You will see a bright white pile of foam develop around the leak and it will stand out like a sore thumb. Repeat the process on the bottom half if nothing shows up on the top. Watch the side seams in particular. Also the valve area.

If you find a leak, mark it well and follow repair instructions. Leaks on seams are very difficult to fix. Use caution here. Hope this works for you.

[sheikdetailfeather]

And how do you repair the leak? With super glue or a plug like a tire? Just asking!

[aquila48]

Definitely the best solution so far! LOL

[TribalPrincess2U]

LOL

[Upstate NY Guy]

Well I can tell you about a technique we sometimes use to find very small leaks in gas lines.

Add about one tablespoon dish washing detergent in a half cup of warm water. Gently stir until dissolved but not foamy. Spread the solution on, with a small paint brush, to any areas where you think the leaks may exist. Look for bubbles forming in the suspected leaking areas. The bubbles will continue to grow if a leak is present.

[Delta 21]

Try one of these.

[Defend Liberty]

You should be zotted. ;O)