Contrary to what some people may think, repairing rubber boots when they get damaged is fairly easy; you just need to have a little knowledge and the right technique.
In case you don’t, the information provided below will tell you the proper way to repair and protect your rubber boots.
Protecting Rubber Boots And Fixing A Leaky Pair
One of the very best things about rubber boots is that they are waterproof. The benefit for you, of course, is that they protect your feet from water, mud, and dirt better than any other type of footwear.
For this reason, they have come to be the preferred footwear for a lot of different outdoor activities and jobs like gardening, farming, and fishing, to name just a few. Individuals working in chemical plants, mines, and other industries also wear rubber boots as protection from dangerous items and other harsh substances.
On the other hand, the only negative associated with the boots is that they can get a rip or a hole in a perfect storm of boot damaging circumstances. If your boots do sustain any kind of damage that lets water inside, then, obviously, they won’t be able to protect your feet from mud, water, and snow.
The elements you’re trying to keep out will seep through the damaged areas and eventually get to your feet. To avoid such a situation, your best option would be to repair your rubber boots – especially if you’ve invested in good quality rubber boots in the first place. The following techniques mentioned below can help you with this effort.
How To Repair Small Holes
Before you start repairing your leaky rubber boots, you should clean them thoroughly. You can do this with a little water and soap. Don’t skip this step, especially if your boots are very dirty.
Then find the location of any cracks or holes on the surface of the boots. In case a hole is too small for the naked eye, and you cannot find it, you will have to fill your boot with water and look for any place where water is leaking through the boot. Once you find it, you can start the repairing process with silicone glue.
You will then have to dry your rubber boots properly and proceed to sand the hole you found with sandpaper. Once you are done, rinse off the sand dust on your boots using plain water and give them time to dry again.
Finally, fill the hole with silicone glue. Put the sealant on the exterior surface of the boot and don’t touch it for 48 hours. This will allow the adhesive to cure properly. Once this time has elapsed, fill up the boot with water to make sure the hole has been properly sealed. In case it hasn’t, you will have to repeat the procedure of sealing the hole with glue.
Repairing Large Holes
When it comes to covering up large-sized holes and cracks on your rubber boots, you will need more than silicone glue. In most cases, such issues require a repair kit that contains adhesive, an applicator brush, and a repair patch.
Before using the repair patch on the damaged areas, it is essential that you read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. One reason for this is that some kits have stick-on patches with pre-applied adhesive.
You would have to cut out a patch to fit the size of the hole or tear and then proceed to stick it on the damaged area. The drying time is always given in the manual, and it’s important that you wait until the adhesive is cured before putting on the boots.
There is also another kind of repair patch to which you must apply the adhesive manually. When using this particular brand, you will first apply a thin layer of glue around the damaged area of the boot.
You will also apply adhesive to the patch so that it’s able to stick better and much longer. You should apply some level of pressure on the newly covered area and smooth out any wrinkles to be found.
Just like with other repair patches, you should wait 48 hours before you put on your rubber boots again. Another idea you can implement is to place a moderate weight on the repaired portion so that the patch sticks firmly on the rubber surface.
Other Factors You Should Consider
Boot Cleaning
It’s a good idea to clean the outside of your boots after every wearing to ensure they remain in tip-top condition. You can use a small sponge to brush the dirt, debris, or mud away. This will help to protect your boots over time and keep them looking their best.
In some cases, you might have to use an outdoor hose in order to completely remove any tough mud or grime. If this doesn’t work, it’s recommended that you use dishwashing soap and a boot brush to get stains out.
Looking After The Inside Of Your Boot
Most people who own boots don’t know that looking after the inside is also important. The thing is that while rubber boots do a good job at keeping your feet dry, failing to look after the inside allows odors to build up. Once this happens, your socks will always smell bad when you take your boots off.
The good thing is that all this can be avoided by spraying vinegar inside them. This will help to absorb any bad smells. Another ideal way of getting rid of foot odor is through the use of a shoe odor eliminator.
It’s important that you remember your rubber boots will quickly deteriorate if their insides are not properly looked after. Other ways you can ensure this does not happen is by using moisture absorbing sachets or a boot dryer.
Conclusion
In case your brand of rubber boots are expensive, and you believe that you may end up doing more harm than good if you try to repair them, then it’s advisable that you go to a professional cobbler and have them handle any necessary repairs. If your boots happen to be in very bad condition, then you may be forced to buy a pair of brand new rubber boots.
