How To "Weather" Waterproof Your Tent Or Awning

What Is Weathering?

Weathering is the process of getting your tent/awning wet, allowing the factory sewn stitching to swell up and plug the holes left by the sewing process. Once this stitching/material swells up all the gaps will seal up, making the tent fully water proof for future use.

When To Weather Your Tent?

The short answer is between the months of April-August, in good, sunny weather. Ideally on a groundsheet, with any accessories that also need to be weathered.

In more depth, the point of weathering is to get all seams wet, therefore it would need to be planned ahead and ideally done multiple times before using your tent for the first time.

Pick a day with dry weather and ensure the tent or awning dries fully before doing it again, ideally up to 3 times before putting your tent or awning away fully dry.

If you purchased your tent or awning during winter months, make sure to do the weathering process when you can ensure that the product will not suffer from mould.

If you don't weather your tent you will experience water being able to seep through the seams. This will make it seem like your product is leaking, after the weathering process has been followed and all seams and fabric have been treated water will not be able to get in through the seams.

How To Waterproof Your Tent?

1. Pitch your product at home or in a local space that you can get water to.

2. Use a hosepipe or watering can and allow the outer skin of your product to get soaked, allow to fully dry. Repeat the process two or three times to ensure that the seams become completely watertight.

3. Ensure that the structure is completely dry before packing it again.

If you're pitching your product in a local area you may want to space this process across a few days, ensuring to pack it up before leaving to ensure that all your goods are safe and sound.