Air mattresses are not without their flaws. One of the most frustrating issues is when air mattress bubbles form, which can be caused by over-inflating the mattress or putting too much weight on it. These bubbles often pop easily and have been known to result in a loss of sleep as they can be discomforting.
The presence of an air bubble on the air mattress may seem like the end but you need not worry as this can easily be fixed. Some may prefer to order a new air mattress but by understanding the causes of the air bubble, you can easily fix the problem.
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What Causes The Formation Of An Air Bubble?
Over inflation of the air mattress is the primary cause of a lump in the air mattress. Exceeding the capacity of the bed will cause the weak part of the material to pop up. However, other factors may cause the formation of an air bubble. This includes the following.
1. Over inflating Of The Air Mattress
By over-inflating the air bed, you will be stretching the seams and the connections and it is likely to form a bubble. Over-inflating the air bed may also cause the bubble to burst and lead to the total loss of an expensive air mattress. Read this article to have an idea of how much air mattresses cost.
2. Excessive weight on the air mattress
An air bed is designed to carry a particular weight. When the weight carrying capacity is exceeded, the material undergoes too much strain making it weak from the inside. When the material weakens, it is likely to form an air bubble and maybe a weak point for tears and fractures to occur.
Ensure you read the label on the specified weight of an air mattress to avoid putting too much weight on it and damaging it.
3. Wear And Tear
The air mattresses are designed for light usage and last just a couple of years. As the air mattress ages, so do the seams and the material undergoes wear and tear.
The worn-out materials will be weak spots where a lump is likely to form as the bed is inflated. Whereas a regular mattress can have a life span of up to 20 years, air mattresses with regular use rarely exceed 3 years in good condition.
Inappropriate storage may also cause the air mattress to undergo rapid wear and tear. Always fold and store the air mattress as per the manufacturer’s instructions and store it in its designated storage bag.
4. Material Quality
The quality of the materials making the air mattress will vary considerably and it has a direct bearing on the strength and durability of the air mattress.
Though cheap does not always indicate low quality, most cheap air mattresses are made of low-quality materials and are therefore more likely to form lumps than air mattresses made from higher quality materials.
The air mattress may at times be made from high-quality material but may have poor and low-quality seaming from the factory.
How To Fix The Bubble In An Air Mattress?
As we have said earlier, air bubbles in the air mattress can be fixed if you understand the cause of the air bubble. Some air bubbles may be so small u may not notice them at first but some may be large and conspicuous to easily identify them. You can fix the air bubble by following these steps.
1. Prepare The Air Mattress
You will need to prepare the air mattress to fix the lump. You prepare the air mattresses by removing the beddings on them, mattress toppers, clothing, and any other item lying on the bed. Ensure the bed is free and you can turn it over easily.
2. Gradually Deflate The Air Mattress
It is difficult to fix an air mattress while it is fully inflated. You will need to deflate the air mattress to very low inflation levels to start fixing the air bubble. You can look at this article on how to safely deflate an air mattress for more guidance.
Simple open the air mattress valve and let the air out. If you use a pump, turn it to deflate and it will suck the air out of the mattress.
3. Apply Pressure On The Bubble
As the mattress deflates, you need to apply pressure on the air bubble to force it back. Do not deflate the mattress completely but leave some air in.
You can kneel on the air bubble or use other pressure application means to press it down. You should be careful not to apply excessive pressure on the bauble to avoid damaging the air mattress.
4. Inflate The Mattress
After the air bubble has disappeared, re-inflate the air mattress slowly. Ensure you do not overinflate the air mattress beyond the required levels. Be on the lookout for other air bubbles and repeat the steps above to remove them. Securely replace the valve to the air mattress to keep the air in.
How To Prevent Air Bubble Formation
An air mattress will stay in good condition if you take good care of it. You can prevent the air bubble from forming in the mattress by taking care of the mattress. Some of these include.
1. Avoid Excess Weight
Ensure you only subject the air mattress to the weight it can carry. Do not sit on the mattress edges or put unnecessary weight on the mattress
2. Ensure The Air Mattress Is On A Firm Base
Put the air mattress in a firm place where there are no protruding objects. The protruding objects will weaken the mattress and make the bubble formation possible. Use a mattress raiser to raise the mattress off the ground.
3. Regulate The Temperature
Ensure the temperature inside the mattress and the one outside do not vary so much. When there is great variation in temperatures, weak points will appear in the seams and may cause bubbles to appear
4. Store The Air Mattress Deflated
When the air mattress is not being used, it should be stored in a deflated state. Storing the air mattress while inflated is putting unnecessary pressure on the air mattress material. Store the air mattress deflated.
Final Thoughts
Air mattress is a quick fix when you have extra guests or you are out camping. The presence of air bubbles in the air mattress does not signify the end of the mattress but can be fixed. The best way to fix air mattress bubbles is to prevent the bubbles from forming in the first place. Take good care of your air mattress and it will serve you well.
