Author Topic: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?  (Read 3424 times)

Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« on: 11 July, 2010, 08:28:51 pm »
My lovely, comfy Exped Downmat 7 has a slow leak, the last couple of times I've used it it's been almost flat by morning.

There are no obvious holes, there is no dirt in the valve.   I've just spent a happy afternoon trying to trace the leak in my sisters bathtub (I've only got a shower) but could see no trails of bubbles even when applying pressure.

Can anyone suggest a way to find the leak before I put Expeds 5 year warranty to the test ?  (bought through Wiggle)
Not fast & rarely furious

tweeting occasional in(s)anities as andrewxclark

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #1 on: 11 July, 2010, 08:31:49 pm »
Apply soapy water and look for bubbles?

andygates

  • Peroxide Viking
Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #2 on: 11 July, 2010, 08:40:40 pm »
Cut your losses: declare it a slowie and send it back.
It takes blood and guts to be this cool but I'm still just a cliché.
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Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #3 on: 11 July, 2010, 08:54:52 pm »
I believe their warranty to be very good. :)
Quote from: Kim
^ This woman knows what she's talking about.

Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #4 on: 11 July, 2010, 10:03:34 pm »
This happened to me last year.

Nothing worse than waking halfway through the night on a cold hard floor - especially after getting used to the comfort and luxury of a downmat.

I have an older model with a pillow stuff/pumpbag.
Dunking in the bath eventually found the leak for me - it was just by a valve.
I reckon pumping up the mat with the pumpbag in a vertical position was bending the mat corner with the valve under pressure and had eventually worn a tiny hole in the material where the valve rubber wedge ended and the mat outer materials came together.

A blob of seamgrip restored normal airtightness and a full nights sleep.


Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #5 on: 14 July, 2010, 03:34:14 pm »
Posted the downmat back to Wiggle yesterday.   I've just had 2 emails.  The first telling me that my postage has been credited to my Paypal account,  the second saying that a new mat is on the way.

:thumbsup for Wiggle
Not fast & rarely furious

tweeting occasional in(s)anities as andrewxclark

Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #6 on: 14 July, 2010, 06:52:33 pm »
I thing the original Downmats with the two external valves have caused Exped a few problems. Hence the new ones have flat valves and an internal pump. Much better arrangement.
Most people tip-toe through life hoping the make it safely to death.
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Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #7 on: 14 July, 2010, 06:59:47 pm »
This one was 18 months old and had the integral pump.
Not fast & rarely furious

tweeting occasional in(s)anities as andrewxclark

Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #8 on: 15 July, 2010, 09:08:35 am »
More Emails.  Wiggle have no Downmats in stock, so they've given me a full refund and a £9 gift voucher for the inconvenience.
Not fast & rarely furious

tweeting occasional in(s)anities as andrewxclark

Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #9 on: 15 July, 2010, 01:38:30 pm »
I now prefer to use the Synmat Pump. It is the same bed but with synthetic insulating.
Most people tip-toe through life hoping the make it safely to death.
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woollypigs

  • Mr Peli
    • woollypigs
Re: Deflating Downmat - how to find the leak ?
« Reply #10 on: 15 July, 2010, 10:08:57 pm »
A friend of mine had the older version and send it back to Exped and got a new one back right away no question asked. By the sound it they have suffered problems with the older version and I now hope that the ones we got a year ago are problem free. But then again their service sounds to be very good.
Current mood: AARRRGGGGHHHHH !!! #bollockstobrexit