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A small hole in a waterproof rollbag can often be patched, but a split structural seam is a different problem. First identify the bag’s material and construction, then choose a compatible repair product and follow its instructions. If a seam has separated or the interior coating is peeling, get the maker’s guidance before relying on the bag to protect anything that must stay dry.
Identify the leak and the bag construction
Empty the bag and let it dry. Check its label or the manufacturer’s information for the fabric or coating—such as TPU, PVC, or vinyl—and whether the seams are stitched, taped, or welded. Repair products are not universally interchangeable: Aquapac, for example, lists its TPU puncture pads as unsuitable for PVC and vinyl, while its PVC pads are unsuitable for TPU (Aquapac product instructions). Confirm the exact product’s compatibility before applying anything.
Inspect the bag for a pinhole or cut, a leak along stitching or a fold, a separated seam, or peeling interior coating. These are different kinds of damage, and the sources do not establish one diagnostic test that works for every construction.
Locate a small hole
EXPED suggests holding a drybag against sunlight or a headlamp and marking the point where light passes through. This can help reveal a small puncture, but it is not guaranteed to expose every leak or work with every fabric construction (EXPED drybag FAQ).
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Repair a small puncture or cut
- Prepare the area. For SealLine bags, the maker recommends cleaning with soap and water or low-concentration rubbing alcohol, then lightly scuffing the area around the damage. Let it dry before applying adhesive (SealLine repair guidance, updated April 22, 2025).
- Choose a compatible product. SealLine recommends Gear Aid Aquaseal FD for small punctures or cuts in its dry bags. EXPED names Seam Grip + WP or Aquaseal UV for most drybag punctures and advises following the manufacturer’s instructions. Neither recommendation means that a product suits every material or a failed seam.
- Apply it as directed. SealLine’s method is to apply Aquaseal FD to the outside, let that application dry, and then apply it to the inside. A second layer may be needed. Follow the current product label and the bag maker’s directions; application and cure instructions vary by product.
- Let the repair cure fully. Do not fill or use the bag until the product’s stated cure time has elapsed. Once cured, check the repair with a cautious water test suited to the bag and its intended use before trusting it with contents that must stay dry.
Choose a patch or liquid sealant by material and damage
| Damage or material | Source-backed direction | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Small puncture or cut in a SealLine dry bag | SealLine recommends Gear Aid Aquaseal FD; its guidance describes cleaning, lightly scuffing, and applying on both sides, with the exterior application drying first. | This is SealLine’s guidance for its bags. Confirm material compatibility and follow the current adhesive label. |
| Drybag puncture, material not specified | EXPED names Seam Grip + WP or Aquaseal UV for most punctures. | “Most” does not cover every material, cut, or seam failure. |
| TPU-coated or otherwise listed compatible material | Aquapac lists its TPU pads for TPU and several other materials. | Aquapac excludes PVC and vinyl from its TPU pads; check the actual bag coating. |
| PVC or vinyl | Aquapac lists its PVC pads for PVC and vinyl. | Aquapac excludes TPU from these pads; do not treat the two pad types as interchangeable. |
| Leak at a fold or stitching | Aquaseal+FD kit instructions describe working adhesive under folds and into stitching, then keeping the repair level until cured for 8–12 hours. | That cure time applies to the kit’s described procedure. It does not establish that a separated welded seam can be restored. |
A self-adhesive patch and a liquid flexible sealant are different application methods, but the sources do not establish one as best for every bag. Use the product specifically identified as compatible with the bag’s material and damage, and follow its own preparation and cure instructions.
When a leaking seam or peeling coating needs maker advice
A pinhole is not the same as a structural seam that has split. The available manufacturer guidance does not establish a universal do-it-yourself method that restores every separated rollbag seam to its original waterproof performance. If a seam has opened—or the bag’s waterproof coating is peeling—contact the bag maker about repair or warranty options before depending on it for critical contents.
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- All surface: Our specially formulated adhesive tape conforms to the surface to repair holes, cracks, gaps, and tears
- Weather resistant: The backing of this heavy duty tape is designed to withstand moisture and UV rays without yellowing
- Fixes leaks: A waterproof tape for leaks in roofs, rubber, plastic or vinyl pool liners, and so much more
Peeling interior coating is also distinct from a puncture or split seam. SealLine says an aftermarket urethane product such as Seam Grip TF may be tried to re-coat a peeling interior (SealLine repair guidance). That suggestion concerns coating delamination; it is not evidence that a separated structural seam is repairable.
How to check the repair before using the bag
After the adhesive or patch has fully cured, test the repaired bag cautiously in a way appropriate to its construction and intended use. The cited guidance does not prescribe a standardized validation test for every rollbag, so do not assume a repair has restored the bag’s original waterproof rating without a successful check or confirmation from the maker. Keep vulnerable contents protected separately until you trust the repair.
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