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Discover easy, step-by-step tips to patch and repair your bounce house, from vinyl kits to sewing techniques, so it stays durable and fun.
Bounce houses are loads of fun for children and even for adults, but they’re also prone to tears and holes that eventually need repair.
Whether it’s due to an accidental puncture or natural wear and tear, a leak in your bounce house is an issue you’ll need to tackle. You could call in a professional, or you might try fixing it yourself.
In this article, I’ll explain how to identify holes and leaks in your bounce house and outline various methods to patch them up.
Repairing a Bounce House
Even a tiny leak in a bounce house can lead to long-term damage and pose a safety risk for kids using it.
To ensure a fun and safe jumping experience, bounce houses and inflatable castles need to stay properly inflated when in use. While large leaks are easy to spot, smaller holes can be harder to detect, making regular checks essential to prevent small issues from turning into bigger ones.
How to Identify Holes
If your bounce house is leaking air, it’s important to find the hole as quickly as possible. When holes aren’t easily visible, here are a few methods to help you locate them:
- Use your ears and hands:
Start with a basic approach. Walk around the bounce house, using your ears and hands to locate holes. Smaller holes usually make a hissing sound, while larger ones might sound more like a gust of air. If you don’t hear anything, try feeling for escaping air with your hands. Tiny leaks may not produce much sound, but you’ll likely feel some air escaping when the bounce house is inflated. - Use soap and water:
This method takes a bit more effort but can quickly reveal leaks. Mix soap and water, then apply it to the bounce house’s surface, focusing on areas where you suspect a hole might be. Look for small bubbles forming where air escapes. - Submerge in water:
This is a more drastic option and works best for smaller bounce houses or inflatable toys. You’ll also need access to a pool or large container of water. The concept is similar to the soap and water approach; when submerged, bubbles will form where air escapes, helping you spot the leak.
Once you’ve identified a hole, it’s time to patch it!
How to Patch a Hole
You can patch a hole in a bounce house either while it’s inflated and set up or when it’s deflated and lying flat on the ground.
The key to a successful repair is using a material that’s both durable and stretchable. For example, duct tape isn’t suitable for bounce houses because it doesn’t stretch well and won’t hold up over time.
I’ll walk you through three effective methods for patching a bounce house:
- Vinyl Patch Repair Kit
- TPU Patch Repair Kit
- Sewing Awl Kit
1. Vinyl Patch Repair Kit
The easiest and quickest way to repair an inflatable is by using a vinyl patch repair kit, which can be applied whether the bounce house is inflated or deflated.
Some kits include glue, while others provide only tape. The tape-only option is, of course, simpler and less messy, but it’s essential to ensure the vinyl tape is strong and durable.
Using glue can add an extra layer of sturdiness, but high-quality vinyl tape can also deliver excellent results for fixing minor tears and holes.
- TEAR-AID Repair Patches provide a simple and easy method of patching holes and...
- The TEAR-AID Type B vinyl repair patch sticks to - Vinyl and Vinyl-coated...
- The TEAR-AID patch is see-thru to work on any color and is UV resistant to...
Steps to patch a tear with vinyl tape:
- Clean the area that needs patching.
- Cut a piece of tape large enough to cover the tear.
- Stick the tape onto the hole and press.
- It glues instantly, but it’s best to let it rest for an hour.
2. TPU Patch Repair Kit
TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane and is supposedly stronger than vinyl. I have tried Vinyl and TPU patches, and both have worked quite well for me.
TPU tape is waterproof and high-temperature and UV resistant, suitable for patching any type of inflatable, such as kiddie pools, pool floats, sprinkler splash pads, sofas, inflatable water slides, and also tents.
- SAVE YOUR INFLATABLES: The pool patch repair kit provides easy and quick method...
- DURABLE & RELIABLE: The repair patches are made of high-strength TPU material...
- WIDE APPLICATIONS: Suitable for repairing small slits or fix a leak on swimming...
Steps to patch a tear with TPU tape:
- Clean the area around the hole thoroughly.
- Cut the repair tape to the required size.
- Peel the film, place the repair tape over the hole, and press firmly.
- Let it rest for one hour before using the bounce house.
3. Sewing Awl Kit
Sewing is the most technical and challenging way to patch a bounce house. While you might consider calling a professional for this, DIY sewing awl kits are available if you want to try it yourself.
A sewing awl, or stitching awl, allows you to puncture holes in heavy materials like leather, canvas, or plastic for stitching. This tool is particularly useful for repairing bounce houses with damaged seams or stitching.
For this type of repair, it’s best to fully deflate the bounce house.
This video explains the process:
Further Reading
Finding and repairing a hole or tear in your bounce house can be challenging if you haven’t done it before, so there’s no harm in hiring a professional for the job.
One way to prevent damage is by regularly cleaning the bounce house, which includes removing debris and dirt. This routine can also help you spot minor tears and holes before they grow larger.
For small holes or tears, though, a patch repair kit may be all you need to tackle the repair yourself. Hopefully, the steps above will guide you through the process.
Thinking of buying a new bounce house? Check out my guide with recommended inflatable bounce houses that you can set up in your backyard. Some of these may even be suitable for adults as long as care is taken.
