{"id":4383,"date":"2022-06-23T08:52:48","date_gmt":"2022-06-23T08:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.paddleboardtips.com\/?p=4383"},"modified":"2022-07-22T10:24:59","modified_gmt":"2022-07-22T10:24:59","slug":"do-inflatable-paddle-boards-lose-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/do-inflatable-paddle-boards-lose-air\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Inflatable Paddle Boards Lose Air?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re new to SUP, and you\u2019re worried about if your board will lose air, you can rest easy. Today\u2019s quality built inflatable paddle boards do a great job holding onto their air, and gradual or repetitive air loss is not something you should really have to deal with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normally, any air loss in a SUP board should not be substantial enough that you\u2019d be able to notice it. So, in the event that your paddle board feels like it\u2019s lost air you may want to do some closer investigation. A leaky inflatable could signal that there is something else going on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, I\u2019ll go over the details of what is normal and what\u2019s cause for concern when it comes to your inflatable paddle boards leaking air. I\u2019ll also share with you my proven tips for limited air leakage, no matter the type of inflatable stand up paddle board you have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: Discover the Best All Around Inflatable SUP Boards of 2024<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Inflatable Paddle Boards to lose Air?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air loss in an inflatable paddle board can happen for a variety of reasons, with some reasons being more worrisome than others.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be normal for inflatable paddle boards to lose a bit of air, especially if you are storing them while inflated for an extended period of time. However – you shouldn\u2019t be losing all the air! If you find your inflatable stand up paddle board has deflated between uses, this is surely a sign that you have a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality SUPs should not lose air for no apparent reason. Cheaper models might lose more air over time due to poorer materials and poor construction like weakly glued seams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air loss can also happen because of pinhole punctures, tears, seam issues (such as a broken seam) or exposure to the elements. Here are some of the main culprits to blame for leaky air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Why are paddle boards so expensive<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A General Loss of Air Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you store your SUP while it\u2019s fully inflated, then you can expect to deal with a general loss of air. However, this will really only happen if you\u2019ve stored your inflatable for longer than a couple of months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A general loss of air can happen when air seeps out through the pores of your SUP\u2019s material. If the temperature of the air drops, your inflable\u2019s pressure can drop as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, if the temperature rises, the air in your inflatable can expand and put extra pressure on the seams, causing small ruptures that way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Puncture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the more common ways you\u2019ll experience loss of air pressure in your inflatable is due to a puncture. If you accidentally rip, tear, or pop your inflatable<\/a>, it will gradually lose a substantial amount of air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on how big of a tear you have, you\u2019ll start noticing the loss of air within a couple of minutes or hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Leaking or Faulty Valve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A leaking valve is another common culprit for loss of air in an inflatable SUP. If you have damaged your valve system, this can cause air to escape. Sometimes, it\u2019s as simple as incorrectly closing up your valves, or not noticing a loose valve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A leaking valve can result from sand, dirt, and other debris getting caught in your valve\u2019s ring. If the ring is damaged or does not close properly this is enough to create a passage for air to leak out. You\u2019ll need to repair or replace the valve to keep air from seeping out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Broken Seam <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Broken seams can also result in leaking air. This type of leaks are usually the hardest to figure out because it can be difficult to locate a leaky seam. A faulty seams can happen for a variety of reasons, with over-inflating your SUP typically being the culprit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike a puncture or faulty valve, you’ll have to carefully inspect the seams of your inflatable paddle boards to find the leak. Along with being the trickiest to find, they are also the most difficult type of punctures to repair too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sun Exposure <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s right\u2026 too much sun can cause air to leak out of your inflatable paddle board. The sun\u2019s UV rays can cause the surface of your inflatable board to weaken, as can extreme heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the rubber or PVC material is weakened, air can seep out much easily. This weakened material of your inflatable is more likely to suffer tears and pinhole leaks as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over Inflating Your Paddle Board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common culprit for leaky inflatable paddle boards are ones that are overinflated. When you are over inflating an SUP, you are creating more air than you should. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This extra air pressure will push against the seams of your paddle board as the air looks to escape. Overtime, the seams will weaken and may cause little ruptures or tears which air can escape out of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Minimize Air Loss in Your Inflatable Sup <\/h2>\n\n\n
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Very minimal and gradual loss of air inside your SUP over an extended period of time is normal. Still, there are ways you can minimize air loss in inflatable SUPs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number one way to minimize air loss is by taking proper care of your inflatable paddle board. Caring for your board properly allows you to maintain the integrity of the material of your paddle boat. Let\u2019s go over easy to implement methods that will keep the air inside your paddle board right where it should be.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n