How to Repair Leaks in Your Blimp or Balloon

Leak Repair in Helium Advertising Blimps and Balloons

LEAKS in your polyurethane blimp or balloon:
Leaks are usually caused by the balloon or blimp coming in contact with something
sharp or rough, which punctures the material.

Any questions please contact us: Sales@ArizonaBalloon.com.

Balloon and Blimp REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

Your balloon should fly three to ten days before any additional
helium is needed. If after only a few hours or one day you notice the strip of
material is not tight up against the balloon and temperature change or an
improperly sealed fill plug is not a factor, you may have a leak.
If it is a loose fill plug, you must apply a thin application of Vaseline around
the inner lip of the red fill plug and close again.

FINDING A LEAK:
You can estimate the size hole you are looking for by the amount of helium
lost. Large holes can usually be found visually or by slowly moving your
moistened palm and forearm back and forth over the balloon surface to feel
the escaping helium or air.

The most effective way to locate a very small hole is to shine a light
(headlights, spotlight, etc.) (a LED floodlight works great) on the one side of the balloon as you look over the opposite side for any pinpoints of light shining through. Work in a
darkened area during this inspection and mark the point(s) of light with tape
or grease pencil so it can be patched.

polyurethane helium balloon patch

Polyurethane helium balloon patch on balloon.

Another method for finding small leaks is to wipe a soapy cloth over the
balloon’s surface and look for small bubbles formed by the escaping air.
Again, mark your hole and be certain to let the balloon dry completely
before deflating.

polyurethane helium balloon with patch

Polyurethane balloon patch

REPAIRING A LEAK:

A tiny pinhole can usually be patched with the polyurethane patch material.
Cut a tiny piece off to fit over the pinhole and stick it on.
Larger holes, up to ¼ inch diameter, can be patched while the balloon is still
inflated. Wipe the damaged area to remove any dirt or grime with the
alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol. Take the patch material and peel off the
backing and stick over the hole.

polyurethane helium advertising blimp material

Polyurethane Helium Balloon Patch Material

Your balloon should be deflated before patching a hole larger than ¼ inch in
diameter. Place masking tape over the hole on the outside of the balloon and
pull the damaged spot inside out through the inflation hole. Working on a
flat surface, apply your patch to the inside of the balloon using the same
method as above. The masking tape is needed so that you do not patch the
balloon material to itself while working with the balloon deflated. Then,
pull your balloon right side out and patch the outside of the balloon.

NOTE: ALWAYS CHECK YOUR PATCH JOB FOR LEAKS WITH
SOAPY WATER WHEN THE BALLOON IS REINFLATED BEFORE FLYING IT AGAIN.

FACTORY REPAIRS:
If the balloon is damaged beyond your capability it can be repaired at the
factory. Contact us at 1-800-791-1445 before shipping the balloon or blimp to the factory.

See more balloon and blimp inflation suggestions.

Call 1-800-791-1445 for more information on balloon and blimp leak repair.

Sales@ArizonaBalloon.com

 

 

Summary
Advertising Balloon and Advertising Blimp Repair
Article Name
Advertising Balloon and Advertising Blimp Repair
Description
How to repair polyurethane helium advertising blimps and advertising balloons. Call 1-800-791-1445 for more information on how to repair your polyurethane blimp or balloon.
Author
Arizona Balloon
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