Inflatable kayaks are one of the most commonly used kayaks as they are lightweight and easily portable.

Repairing Common Kayak Faults

There are various components that need to be regularly checked and if they develop any faults then they need to be addressed immediately. Even a small quantity of liquid soap is a good idea to clean the valves. This can be easily sorted out.

Before starting the repair procedure, clean the punctured area thoroughly. In case the moisture content is low, then partially inflate the kayak, do not fix the cap and leave it in a dry area.

Fixing Kayak Valves:

Often, due to some minor problems with the valves, kayaks when inflated start having air leaks.

Points to Remember

Paddlers must analyze the fault properly before starting repair work on it. Just inflate and deflate the kayak for 5 7 times and all the dirt and dust would be released, thereby cleaning the valves. This would help in evaporation of the moisture completely.

The first step is to cut a piece of the fabric that is at least 5cms greater than the puncture. One reason can be due to loosening of the valves. Also, kayakers must handle the repair materials and equipments very cautiously and avoid any possible injury.
The kayak can be ready to inflate after 24 hours of drying.

Cleaning all Moisture

It is extremely important to completely dry the kayak before storing, especially when putting it away for a longer period of time.

Repairing a Puncture:

Kayak punctures are fairly common and a puncture of up to 1cm can easily be repaired at home. If the kayak has developed a major fault (large tears or major seam damage), then it is often not worth spending too much on the repair. Once the last layer has properly dried out, place the patch on the hole gently. Sticking the fabric needs three layers of glue so that the patch does not get removed.

With Gate Valves Manufacturers decent mechanical skills, kayakers can easily maintain and store an inflatable kayak for a lifetime. Instead, it would be more cost effective to do away with it and get a new kayak. To stop the air leaks, kayakers simply need to tighten the valves and fix them with a valve tool. Remember to leave a gap of 5 10 minutes between each layer. For the repair the list of things required includes fabric and glue used to repair kayaks. Gate Valves Manufacturers Keep the kayak in a shady and well ventilated place to dry.

Yet another reason for the air leaks can be accumulation of dirt in the valves. If kayakers take care of the inflatable kayaks and maintain them well, then these kayaks can last for several years to come. If the moisture content is high, then use a vacuum to suck out all the moisture from the kayak. If the kayak is made of hypalon fabric, use a pumice stone and if it is made of strongan then use grease remover with alcohol content. Do not press it and smoothen it just with the help of a spoon from the center to the edges. Regular and proper repair of inflatable kayaks is a critical part of maintaining inflatable kayaks and can be easily done by paddlers themselves.

The glue must be applied to the patch as well as to the punctured area