Ensuring your tent is dry and warm inside is essential to being able to enjoy rainy days while camping. While many canvas tents for camping are already made from waterproof material, some tents need to be waterproofed separately or retreated after a few years of use. Here, we’re discussing what it actually means for the fabric to be waterproof, how to waterproof your tent, and extra measures you can take to have a dry camping trip.
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What exactly is waterproofing?
Three words: durable water repellent. DWR is the secret to what makes clothing and materials able to withstand moisture without soaking through. DWR’s are distinct from other factory-applied water repellents that tend to be thinner and therefore weaker. For DWR to be as effective as they are, they are usually applied to other breathable waterproof fabrics as an outer coating. This combination ensures that the first layer of fabric cannot soak through and water rolls off of it.
What shape of the tent are you using? Cabin tents, yurt tents, dome tents, A-frame tents, and more all involve sloped walls or roofs that allow rainfall to sluff off the sides, rather than pool on top. Regardless, it is always a good idea to waterproof the tent.
Throughout a tent’s lifetime, it will be exposed to many harsh elements and precipitation. Eventually, the waterproofing wears down and reapplication becomes necessary.
Waterproofing a canvas tent
Let’s say your tent is well-loved and has seen its fair share of rough weather. With extended exposure to the elements– like heavy rains, winds, and heat– the water-repellency decomposes. At this point, it may be easy to assume your tent has reached the end of its prime. But the truth is, many heavy-duty tents, like four-season canvas tents, are made to last for decades. Knowing how to retreat your canvas tent for waterproofing will allow you to get endless use out of it for years to come.
Clean and dry your tent
Firstly, you’re going to want to clean and dry the tent. Any dirt or debris in the canvas is going to prevent the treatment from actually sticking to the fibers themselves. Give your tent a good scrub down with soap and water, then leave it in the sun to dry completely.
Apply the product
Once the clean tent has dried out completely, you can apply a waterproof treatment liberally and evenly. Most importantly, follow along the recommended method on the product label. Some helpful application methods include: using a paint roller, spray application. Some waterproofing treatments come in a solid form like wax, in which you manually rub on a layer.
Most camping retailers and tent makers sell waterproofing treatments. Check with your specific tent manufacturer to make sure you’re using one suitable for your model. A couple popular universal brands include Seamseal and Nikwax Tent & Gear Solarproof.
Remember that every time you clean your tent is also a good time to reapply or spot-apply waterproofing. Ensure the product has dried completely before storing it away in a cool, dry place before its next use.
Taking extra measures
Besides regularly cleaning and retreating your canvas tent, there are always a few extra ways to protect your tent so you can stay nice and dry inside on your camping trip.
Reinforce and mend tent seams
In your camping repair kit, you should always keep a little tube of seam sealant– an excellent tool for reinforcing your tent seams– nylon thread, and a needle. During your regular tent check-up at the start of the season, examine the tent seams. Carefully run your hands over and check both the interior and exterior seams for fraying or splitting. If this is occuring in any area it will allow water to seep into the tent. This creates not only discomfort, but also allows mold and mildew to grow. By reinforcing or mending seams, you minimize the chances of further damage.
Rainfly
Your camping tent accessories should always include a rainfly. This waterproof tarp or piece of material should be slightly larger than your whole tent, and positioned over the tent to protect it from rainfall, sort of like a roof. Bring extra guy lines and stakes to pull it taut and secure it to the ground.
Tent footprint
Yet another piece of waterproof material or a waterproof tarp, only this one goes underneath. It is slightly larger than the whole tent and works to protect not only the bottom layer of the tent from soaking, but also protects from dirt and debris that could damage the canvas and wear down its waterproofing. A tent footprint is also useful in blocking out the cold.
Retreating your trusty canvas tent is an important part of camping equipment maintenance. The process may be straightforward, but it is essential to the health of your tent and its performance in wet conditions. Take time picking out the right products, cleaning and drying your tent, and applying the treatment with care. With a well prepared and maintained canvas tent, you can confidently enjoy the great outdoors for years to come no matter what the weather throws your way.
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