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Imagine you are preparing to set up your tent, only to check the weather and realize there’s rain in the forecast. Uh oh…now what? If you don't have a tent from American Tent, your tent might not be as water resistant as it should be. We can’t go letting the rain put a damper on your festivities! Repairing a tent with rain damage can be a hassle, so waterproofing before use is the best way to avoid any damage to begin with!
A simple guide for how to waterproof a tent: you can (A) use a waterproof spray on the gazebo fabric, or (B) seal the seams of the canopy with silicone.
Are tents waterproof? Well, the answer to that question depends on the type of tent you have. Most tents have some water resistance capabilities, but some--like tents from American Tent--offer more protection than others.
This provides the first degree of protection. Tightly knit fabric creates a barrier to keep the water out.
A water repellent tent offers second-degree protection. These tents resist rainwater due to an extra coating, allowing the water to bead up and roll right off of your canopy top!
The final and highest degree of protection would be a waterproof tent. These tents have sturdier fabric with a solid layer of waterproof coating and they can withstand higher pressure than the other two options.
While nothing can be 100% waterproof, knowing the right preparation and material options will provide you with the best possible outcome.
Below are the steps to create a waterproof canopy:
If you are interested in seeing someone perform this process, check out this video.
You don’t want to try waterproofing your canvas while it’s already raining--that would just be silly! Instead, wait for a sunny, dry day to undertake the project of making your canopy waterproof.
The waterproof spray makes waterproofing a canopy easy! Below is a step-by-step guide on how to waterproof a canopy.
Let’s make a DIY waterproof canopy! Avoid the cost of buying a pre-made seam sealer by just mixing up your own.
You will need:
Before starting, make sure you have cleaned your tent, which can be done with either a canopy cleaner or simple soap and water. Add equal parts of 100% clear silicone caulk and odorless mineral spirits; then, mix the products together with your paintbrush until it becomes a homogeneous paste. Here is a perfect example of how your mixture should look! Once your mixture is made, it can be used to safely protect your tent from water seeping through the cracks.
You can either DIY a seam sealer as shown above, or purchase a pre-made seam sealer. Knowing how to waterproof a pop-up canopy is vital because a seam sealer will help increase the longevity of your tent.
As with any waterproofing, how should you start the process? You guessed it, clean your canopy! Apply the sealer to the seams of your tent and make sure to let it dry completely. Now, you can trust that the seams of your tent will not leak any water into your special occasion--whatever that may be!
The best way to know the waterproof capabilities of your tent is to ask the supplier! If you purchase from us at American Tent, regardless of the type of tent, you can be confident in knowing that the canopy you receive will stay waterproof for plenty of uses.
However, while we pride ourselves in our canopies' water resistance capabilities, not everywhere has waterproof tents, so you will definitely want to ask about their products’ waterproof rating before buying. If you already have a tent and you discover that it is not waterproof, you can follow the steps previously mentioned to apply a seam sealer and waterproof spray, creating a rainproof canopy.
If your tent is exposed to rain, check all of the seams closely for any spots that seem to be letting water seep through. If you’ve had your tent for a while and notice any weak areas during the inspection, just apply a little extra spray and you’re good to go!
If your gazebo material is not waterproof or it’s starting to leak, consider purchasing a new heavy-duty waterproof commercial tent top from American Tent! Or, if you don’t have a canopy yet, now is the perfect time to invest. We’ll make sure you will have a tent that can withstand the weather, as we have some of the best pop-up canopies for rain around!
If you enjoyed today’s entry, be sure to bookmark our blog page and check back frequently for the latest updates.
We regularly post helpful resources that can help you plan great events and learn more about our event tents.
Reach out Call: (920) 431-0938
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