Checking the waterproofness of an old rug

[catherine22]

I have a rug I haven't used in ages, I know it was fully waterproof when I stopped using it and since it has only been in a bag under the stairs so I know it hasn't got damp or eaten by mice.
I want to start using it again but don't want to risk it leaking so do I
1. Get it cleaned and reproofed anyway or
2. Put it over the top of another (known waterproof) rug, on horse, in the rain and see if rug stays dry underneath it? - would this even work?

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

get tent re-proofer from your local camping shop and paint it on. then it's perfectly water proof and won't have cost you very much at all. I am about to do this with the rug my pony fell in the river with!

 

[MissChaos]

Hijacking, hopefully helpfully - is this the stuff? Have previously only used Nikwax etc. but posters on a thread in Oct rated the tent reproofer from Halfords:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_762785_langId_-1_categoryId_165465

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Hijacking, hopefully helpfully - is this the stuff? Have previously only used Nikwax etc. but posters on a thread in Oct rated the tent reproofer from Halfords:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_762785_langId_-1_categoryId_165465

I go to Millets or Blacks and get a huge paint pot of tent re-proofer and a big paint brush and get slopping!

 

[MissChaos]

Could be in for a messy weekend, then!

 

[Shavings]

I wouldn't put it over top of other rugs as I didn't this with rugs that were 100% water proof put the water gets down the neck line so it's wouldn't tell you if it's water tight
But I to as above grab tent reproofer

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Oh yes! the pony fell in the river with the rug on so it's no longer waterproof- luckily he's absolutely fine... that makes the fact he rolled over the fence down the bank and into the river very funny- he was rescued by some people in the villagers after he dragged himself out who said a goose egg fell out from under his rug! Fool! It's Christmas! not Easter!

 

[Izzwizz]

If your rug has been stored in a dry place then you really shouldnt have a problem with it's waterproofness. I would just go ahead and use it.

 

[daydreambeliever]

Are you able to put it on, on a rainy day when you are able to go back and check its ok? Just for peace of mind. That said i think that if its been well stored that it should be fine.

 

[catherine22]

Thanks everyone, I'll give it ago when I'm staying at the yard for a couple of hours and its raining then if it does leak i can change it to her other one, then get cracking with the tent reproofer!!!

 

[dotty1]

I would think its still waterproof if its just been in storage, but to check I would put it over a wheelbarrow and tip water on it and see if it soaks through or makes a pond.

 

[catherine22]

good plan dotty1, the only way i could think of testing it was putting it over the washing line in the rain, but then I thought it would get all inside the rug if it was windy. Hung over a wheelbarrow seems a much simpler idea!!