If you have your own backyard pool, how can you resist having a selection of pool toys? Not only do they add to the fun, but they’ll also come in handy when you just want to relax and float around. But nothing spoils the fun like finding a leak in one of your pool toys. In this article, we’ll go over the steps involved in how to patch vinyl pool toys. This will ensure they live to see another day and don’t end up in the landfill.
Find the Hole
The first step for pool toy repair is to find the hole that’s causing it to lose air. This is done by dunking it in the water and finding where the air bubbles are escaping from. If you’re having a tough time finding the bubbles, you can also spray a mixture of dish soap and water over the toy surface working from area to area. Soap bubbles will point to the location of the tear. Mark the hole with a marker or grease pencil to allow you to find it easily later on.
Prepare the Toy
You’ll need to ensure the area around the hole is completely dry. It’ll also be much easier to work with and attach a patch when it’s blown up, so temporarily cover the hole with a piece of duct tape and fill the toy up with as much air as possible.
Prepare A Patch
Make sure you have the appropriate patch kit for the toy you’re trying to repair. Some are made for vinyl repairs whereas others are specifically made for rubber. You’ll want to cut your patch material to size. Make sure it’s large enough to cover the hole with a good quarter inch border around every side of the hole. Add a coating of glue to the entire side of the patch that will be in contact with the toy. Don’t just put glue on the edges of the patch. You can lay the patch right over the duct tape that’s covering the hole. Hold the patch in place long enough to allow the glue to set.
Allow It to Dry
Make sure the glue is allowed to completely dry before using your pool toy or placing it back in the water. You’ll end up causing the patch to separate if you try to use the toy too soon. Once the patch has been allowed to thoroughly dry you should be able to use the pool toy again. Hopefully, your patch job has extended the life of your pool toy, preventing you from having to buy another one and saving some space in the local landfill.