A common problem in this industry, is unplanned weather. Rain can really mess up an event for you and your customer, not to mention what it can do to your inflatable unit.

If you do not take the proper steps to dry out the inflatable after it gets wet, you will be looking at potential needed repairs or replacement sooner than planned. Moisture causes mildew. Mildew causes “dry rot” of stitching in the inflatable. This weakens the inflatable and causes heavy stress areas to open and suddenly you are faced with a major repair. Most if not all inflatable manufacturers will not offer a warranty if the damage to your inflatable is caused by your negligence in properly drying out your inflatable.

To properly dry out your inflatable after is gets wet, you need to remove climb & slide covers along with all replaceable wear covers, that detach. This allows the loop Velcro to dry as well. Inflate the unit fully. When completely filled with air, open up (1) deflation zipper about 12 inches. This will allow air to actually circulate through the unit. This is the mistake most people make when doing this. When the inflatable is fully inflated, and there are no open ports to allow air to escape... the unit becomes pressurized. This is very similar to the effect of pressurization in an air plane. But, once you allow air to escape, turbulence is caused because more room for air is being formed by the air escaping. The fast moving air circulates throughout the inflatable and starts the drying process.

Next step, if the inflatable is very wet, such as in a water slide unit, have a wet and dry vacuum available. The moisture finding its way to the open deflation zipper will bring puddles with it that are lying on the bottom inside the inflatable. Reach in with the vacuum and remove the excess water.

When the unit has been inflated for several hours, apply a mildew killing product with a deodorizer. Open a portion of the blower tube and spray while the blower is connected. Add a generous amount of this product to circulate throughout the unit.
This may seem to some as a lot of work each time the unit gets wet, but compare a little bit of prevention with a whole lot of expense repairing or replacing the inflatable for not taking steps to keep the inflatable looking and functioning like new.