My biggest fear when investing in a bounce house for our kids was what we would do if it got a rip or tear in it. I had thought that a bounce house was similar to a balloon that my kids pop and deflate so easily by mistake; a bounce house would surely never last their abuse. I was wrong! After a bit of research, I learned that they are not that hard to repair at all, and after years of experience I am pleased to share that they DO NOT rip as easily as I had imagined!
There are three main ways to repair your bounce house:
- Apply a special elastic clear sticker over the rip that can be purchased online in a basic vinyl repair kit.
- Glue a patch of vinyl with rounded edges on top of the rip using a strong vinyl cement glue.
- Using a repair kit with the necessary materials, poke holes around the rip and sew the two sides together and then glue a vinyl patch on either side of the sewn tear.
Knowing which one of these three options to use will depend on a few things. Is your bounce house a commercial grade inflatable with thick durable vinyl or is it a smaller bounce house used mostly by your own children? Is your tear on a seam or heavily used area of the bounce house? How large is your tear? Does your bounce house have to survive an upcoming huge party or can your repair be tested slowly over time? The details described below should help you solidify which type of repair to use with specific details on how to perform each type of repair.
Clear Elastic Vinyl Sticker
I was surprised at how effective and durable this method is. The most common type of sticker I found is called “Tear-Aid” and can be purchased on Amazon for less than ten dollars depending upon how much you need. (There are a few different kinds of Tear-Aid- make sure you get the “Type A” that is specifically designed for repairing vinyl inflatables.) Before applying the sticker, make sure the area is clean and dry and the sticker is cut to the right size to cover a few inches beyond the tear on all sides. For added durability, put a layer on either side of the tear. This is not simply tape. It is durable and flexible to be able to stretch and bend with your bounce house. Depending upon how you use your bounce house it can even hold up on the seams of household use bounce houses. Not only is this the easiest repair to do, but it is also the quickest. If you need a fast repair or have time to test the durability of the repair before a huge party, this is by far the simplest method.
Patch Repair
For larger holes or for a repair on a more durable, commercial grade material that will hold up to more use, the patch repair may be the best method for you. To repair your bounce house using a vinyl patch, you need a piece of vinyl cut a few inches larger than the rip. When possible, use a circular vinyl patch. If you cannot use a circle, make sure the edges are rounded to prevent places for the vinyl patch to pull off. For a stronger hold, use a piece of vinyl on the inside and outside of the tear. Clean the area with a fast-drying alcohol swab and make sure it is dry before putting on the glue. Brush on the vinyl cement glue onto both the tear and the vinyl patch. Press the two together keeping it as flat as possible. Use a towel so that the glue does not get on your hands. Try to remove any air pockets. There are special tools that you can get to roll out the air bubbles for the best result or use what you have available the best you can like a credit card or kitchen rolling pin and press carefully. Follow the directions on your specific brand of vinyl cement to see how long it needs to dry and be sure to give it ample time to dry before you use the bounce house.
Here is a product I found on Amazon to patch rips or holes in our bounce house – It has great reviews and is inexpensive compared to other products on the market.
Sewing Patch Repair
For the best, most durable repair done at home, use a sewing patch repair. The materials needed for this repair would be hard to find and guarantee to find correctly on your own so I would recommend buying a kit online specifically designed for this use. This repair is done by gluing an extra piece of vinyl on the inside of the tear as described above and then puncturing precise holes through both pieces of vinyl. Make sure the area is completely cleaned and dry before starting the process. Using a curved needle and special string you essentially sew the tear together. When the hole is sewn, another patch of vinyl is glued on top. Similar to the repair described above, try to get every air pocket out so that the vinyl patch can seal securely. Because you will now have the sewn pieces under the repair, take your time to firmly press out any bubbles carefully with your fingers and press firmly around the bumps of the sewn tear.
Do I need to Patch Everywhere that I feel Air Coming Out?
The first time we inflated our bounce house and I felt air seeping out through the seems the little holes at the top, I immediately jumped to the conclusion of my worst fear that our inflatable already had tears all over. This is not the case. You bounce house will most likely always have air seeping through the seams and built-in pockets at the top for air to flow out. This is actually an amazing feature of your bounce house as the constant stream of air flow is what keeps it so strongly inflated while so many little bodies jump all over it. The continuous air flow is what makes it different from a balloon that could pop at any moment and essentially adds to the incredible durability of the inflatable.
How do I Prevent Tears in my Bounce House?
The best way to repair a bounce house is to prevent the tear from happening altogether! If you have just repaired your bounce house you may be looking for some simple tips to prevent it from happening again. Here are some of our favorite:
-Make sure that you do not set up your bounce house by any sharp sticks or low hanging branches and use a tarp underneath your bounce house for an extra blanket of protection.
-Store your bounce house properly. Make sure you have a thick bag protecting your bounce house and store it in a place where mice cannot get to it.
-Don’t allow shoes or sharp objects on the bounce house. Hopefully, this is a common rule for your bounce house fun for the safety of the children, but it can also protect the bounce house as well.
– Cleaning your bounce house properly will prevent abrasive sand or dirt from wearing down the vinyl material that can eventually rip.
Related Questions:
Can I use Gorilla Tape or Duck Tape to Repair my bounce house?
It is not recommended to use Gorilla Tape or Duck Tape to repair a bounce house. Even if it is waterproof, these types of tape do not have much flexibility or elasticity to them so they will rub off and not last. They will also leave a sticky residue behind.
How do I repair the netting part of my Bounce House?
This location for a tear can be a lot simpler to repair than a vinyl rip. Simply sew the netting together with a strong, durable string and needle.
How much does it cost to repair a bounce house?
It’s cheaper than you may think to effectively fix a torn vinyl rip on a bounce house. It will depend upon the type of repair you decide from the options listed in this article and the kit you purchase, however, an effective, simple repair can cost about $10 on Amazon.