What should I do if my Airtrack loses air?

You’re enjoying practicing on your Airtrack. Until… you suddenly notice that it’s getting softer and softer. Help! Your Airtrack is deflating!
Is your Airtrack leaking? Broken? Or is there a hole in it? How to move forward? This article will tell you more about deflating an Airtrack. If this happens, there are a few steps you can take. Maybe your Airtrack is not leaking at all and you can get back to practicing very quickly. Airtracks are generally very strong and durable and are made to last. They won’t break down easily.

1. Make sure your Airtrack is completely ready to use

This step might be a little crazy: “Make sure your Airtrack is completely ready to use.” You pump it up and you use it. Right? No, it’s important to check the pin first after inflating it. Check that the white pin, located in the center of the valve, has come back out. If not, your Airtrack will deflate again. Even if you quickly turned the cap on the valve. The pin is pressed down by your pump during docking, allowing air to be blown into the Airtrack. Therefore, it is also important that you use the included pump.

Sometimes it can happen that, because of the spring behind it, the pin just doesn’t quite come loose. For example, if your Airtrack is brand new, the spring may still be a bit stiff and may not spring back smoothly. Push the pin in and out a few times. Or spray some WD40 in it for some more smoothness.

Also, when inflating the Airtrack with the electric pump, make sure that no sand, grass or other debris is blown into the valve through the pump. This can also cause the pin to jam. Did this happen? The solution is to install another valve, which can be ordered from our website.

2. Tighten the valve

You always receive a repair kit with your 12SPRINGS Airtrack. This set is very handy for maintaining and possibly repairing your Airtrack. This set includes a plastic wrench with which you can tighten the lid of your Airtrack. On the valve it says which direction you have to turn (open/close). If you feel that your Airtrack is deflating or perhaps leaking, check the valve of your Airtrack. Tighten it with the wrench and see if your Airtrack stays hard again.

The valve may loosen slightly over time from inflating and deflating the Airtrack, so it is advisable to check the valve from time to time. So keep your repair kit safe!

The valve can take a beating, but can also be broken by jumping on it. Be sure not to jump on it when it is not inflated.
The front part of the valve can be replaced. The rear part cannot be removed and unfortunately cannot be replaced.

Is the front cover broken? Then replace it. You easily unscrew the valve with the plastic wrench, which is included. You can then remove the flap and replace it with a new one.

3. Put your Airtrack inside

Weather conditions can cause the pressure in your Airtrack to vary. So it may look like your Airtrack is leaking, but maybe your Airtrack has been outside in the cold for days. This is because in colder weather, your Airtrack softens and it naturally hardens again as the temperature rises. Do you feel like your Airtrack is deflating? Then put your Airtrack inside for 24 hours to see if it still slowly softens even then.

4. Check your pump

If your Airtrack doesn’t get very hard at all while inflating, there may be something wrong with the electric pump. If the pump is out of order, then too little pressure is built up, so it does not have enough blowing power. A new pump then provides the solution.

Still a hole in your Airtrack?

Completed all the steps above? And still your Airtrack drains slowly? If so, there may be a hole in your Airtrack. What can you do then? How can you look for this hole? Because you don’t just put your Airtrack in a tub of water, which you can easily do with a flat tire.

Tip! Fill a bucket with water and dish soap. Take a sponge or cloth and dip it in the soapy water. Rub piece by piece over the Airtrack. At the spot where the hole is, a little suds will then bubble. Hole found!

Plugging hole
Mark the hole and then deflate the Airtrack completely. You can then start gluing it. Before gluing, make the hole around the Airtrack free of grease using a degreaser. Cut a round piece out of the PVC material provided, not a square piece. You can get stuck behind the corners of a square piece with clothes and socks, which makes it easier to loosen.

Put a little glue (preferably PVC glue) on the round piece of PVC and let it air dry very briefly before sticking it on your Airtrack. This makes it adhere better. Now press the round piece firmly onto the Airtrack and remove any excess glue. Preferably put something heavy on the glued piece and let it dry for 24 hours. Afterwards, the Airtrack can be re-inflated and used without any problems.

Prevention is better than cure

Nothing is more annoying than not being able to use your Airtrack. And then again, prevention is better than cure. Take away as much risk as possible to avoid deflating your Airtrack and any future holes. Our tips at a glance:

1. Make sure your Airtrack is completely ready to use
2. Check your Airtrack in between uses
3. Do not wear shoes and prevent your Airtrack from coming into contact with sharp objects outside, such as pebbles or sticks
4. Place a special anti-slip mat under your Airtrack.

Must-have: anti-slip mat
An anti-slip mat not only keeps your Airtrack from sliding during practice, but also ensures that any small pebbles under your Airtrack cannot damage it. 12SPRINGS has these available in various sizes.

If you have any questions about the above steps and tips? Feel free to get in touch. We are happy to help.