Tent repair

[farafield]

Some of the tapes on the seams of my tent have come adrift resulting in the tent leaking. The manufacturers manual recommends a PU seam sealant for the tent. Does anyone have experience of this type of repair? Does it involve simply applying the sealant to the seams and if so was it successful?

[VanDeRooster]

Your best bet is to remove lose tape and then get some seam sealant. Pitch the tent with the flysheet inverted with the seams on the outside, coat the seams with a reasonable amount. Leave it to dry for as long as possible. You'd be surprised how long it stays tacky ...

In my experience McNett is the best I've used. Cotswold Outdoor sell it.

Failing that you may be able to get it re-taped by the original manufacturer (I may be able to help) or try EquipCare.

[pjclinch]

McNett Seam Grip is indeed an option. See http://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/blog/tent-seam-sealing

And if you get another tent in future be aware that seam taping on flysheets isn't necessary if the seam is properly made, even if it isn't properly made a little time with suitable goop will render them waterproof, and that seam taping adds weight to the tent and actually weakens it by heat-aging the fabric as it is applied.

Seam taping on groundheets is a Good Thing. Heavier duty, more contact with water under pressure and under less tension to start them coming off. But on flysheets it's a marketing bullet point more than a genuinely useful feature.

Pete.

[farafield]

Many thanks for the advice I'll give the recommended sealant a go! The last time I used the tent was during a very wet tour of the Outer Hebrides. I'm hopeful that the forthcoming trip to France will be a little drier..

[andymiller]

If you need to tape any of the seams the McNett Tenacious Tape is good (avoid the transparent tape). Look on eBay - US sellers offer the best range of options.