How to find leak in an insulated sleeping pad?

[JPeters218]

So I have an exped 7r that I borrowed out and it came back with a hole in it. Was about a 1/2” slice, I bought a repair kit from thermarest (that’s what Amazon had). I patched the hole according the their instructions. Still leaked. So I covered the whole patch and past the edges a bit in their glue and let that cure. Better, but still leaks. Took about 4 hours to go flat last night. I’ve sprayed soapy water on and around the patch, as well as around the “out” valve. No bubbles.
Everything online says to submerge them in water in the bathtub. This is insulated with down, am I going to ruin it if I do that? I don’t know a ton about how down works or if you can get it wet.
I understand that it’s ruined as in, in its current state. But if I find the leak in the water and fix it, I’d rather not ruin the insulation value

 

[ianpadron]

You can submerge in water, that's what I did with mine. Found the leak right away and no issues since.

 

[gostovp]

So I have an exped 7r that I borrowed out and it came back with a hole in it. Was about a 1/2” slice, I bought a repair kit from thermarest (that’s what Amazon had). I patched the hole according the their instructions. Still leaked. So I covered the whole patch and past the edges a bit in their glue and let that cure. Better, but still leaks. Took about 4 hours to go flat last night. I’ve sprayed soapy water on and around the patch, as well as around the “out” valve. No bubbles.
Everything online says to submerge them in water in the bathtub. This is insulated with down, am I going to ruin it if I do that? I don’t know a ton about how down works or if you can get it wet.
I understand that it’s ruined as in, in its current state. But if I find the leak in the water and fix it, I’d rather not ruin the insulation value

If the air is coming out it should keep it from leaking into the pad. Only keep submerged until u can find the leak. Patch it, test it, and then store it flat or hang it with no folds with both valves open and you should be good

 

[Lawnboi]

Better keep a spare in the truck.

8 have a the rarest that I burned a quarter size hole in, patched it with clear tenacious tape and it’s held for years. Maybe try slapping on a big patch of that.

 

[JPeters218]

If the air is coming out it should keep it from leaking into the pad. Only keep submerged until u can find the leak. Patch it, test it, and then store it flat or hang it with no folds with both valves open and you should be good

That makes sense, but I kinda figured getting it wet would soak through the fabric into the down

 

[realunlucky]

I had to send my exped back once when I couldn't find a pin hole leak. They found like 3 pin holes, patched them and sent it back. Don't remember the exact details or cost as it's been a few years still using that same exped 7

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[JPeters218]

So I put it in the bathtub. Patch and valves are holding good, but I did find a new leak. Got it hung up to dry, will try and patch tonight and give it the night to cure.

It’s not that easy to stick a pad this size in a normal tub lol

 

[rclouse79]

I am about to just buy a new pad. I have gone so far as to inflate my thermarest as much as my lungs can, and then inspect it from the bottom with goggles while my kid laid on it in the pool. I can’t find air bubbles to save my life, but I have to blow it back up a couple times a night.