How to Mend A Leak In A Sports Ball

There are multiple reasons a sports ball can go flat, including temperature changes, a small hole, a hole in the bladder or just the passage of time. If a small hole is the culprit, this article will show you how to fix it.

Things You'll Need

  • Leaky ball
  • Bathtub
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Ball sealant
  • Sealant syringe (usually comes with the sealant)
  • Air pump
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Instructions

  1. How to Mend A Leak In A Sports Ball

    • 1

      Fill your bathtub with enough water to cover the ball, and add a little bit of dishwashing liquid.

    • 2

      Submerge the ball in the water.

    • 3

      Turn the ball around underwater slowly and look for bubbles. A tiny hole in the ball will cause bubbles to rise up in the water. As you turn the ball, look to see where those bubbles are coming from.

    • 4

      Fill the syringe with ball sealant.

    • 5

      Locate the air valve on the ball and insert the syringe, just as you would an air pump.

    • 6

      Depress the syringe plunger to squirt sealant into the ball.

    • 7

      Remove the syringe and insert the air pump into the air valve.

    • 8

      Fill the ball with air.

    • 9

      Bounce the ball to move the sealant around inside. Now your ball is ready to use. It should remain inflated as if there were no hole at all!