Pulled out my name brand light weight tent this year, less than 5-6 years old, well cared for, and found that coating at the seams flaked off inside the tent. Very disappointed. Plan to contact manufacturer. I have never had this happen with a tent before. Still have my old 2 person tent that is over 30 years old and never had this problem, but updated to a lighter weight option that was not inexpensive. Has anyone else seen this? I have always stored my gear in the packs during the winter months in my basement.

I store tents, bags/quilts and sleeping pads loose. I never leave in their stuff sacks or little bags.

Just curious why or advantage? Do others agree? I clean everything up when I come out, air / clean out tent, bags, run bleach through my water pump and platypuses and pack away for the next trip or year for easy protected storage. I use the Seal line bags except for the kitchen pack. Guess I have been doing this for a long time ..25 years or so and never had trouble until this year... but open to any suggestions. Opinions? Would that make a difference for the seam coating?

More than likely it was just due to bad batch of seam tape. Tent manufacturers occasionally have supply line troubles- urethanes that lose their bond to the fabric etc. Contact the manufacturer- good chance you could end up with a new tent.

Most manufacturers suggest that tents be stored loose but also usually say the equivalent of "if you don't have the space storing thoroughly dry in the stuff sack is fine".

this will happen on most tents eventually

I had good luck applying marine grade 100% silicone with a small paintbrush.

use a windex soaked paper towel (several of them actually) to clean up the the worst of the flakes before applying.

Got torrential rains one nite while camping in a low spot on Gebe last trip - seams held up just fine despite water pooling under tent.


https://www.amazon.com/3M-08019-Marine-Silicone-Sealant/dp/B000H8W9V8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1534338059&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=marine+caulking+silicone

100% silicone

I find this is much more of a problem if stored where warm - like an attic in summer or even a garage. I've move most my gear with synthetic fabrics for garage attic into a spare bedroom for the summer.

I seal my seams every year. Just to be on the safe and waterproof side.

Ardwich

I noticed my Marmot Limelight edge of floor seams peeling this last trip. In one hour of sleeplessness I deflaked three inches. This will take some time to do!
We store ours loose in the attic of an unheated barn.. So it could be 90 degrees or minus thirty.

BobDobbs I will have to try your method of refreshing the seam . I can't imagine getting new tape to adhere so silicone it will be.

You can thin the silicone with Naptha to make it easier to brush.

I had this same thing happen to me with a North Face tent that was only one year old. It was a manufacturing flaw for sure. Luckily I purchased the tent at REI and they took it back and gave me credit towards a new tent. I replaced the North Face with a Big Agnes and I haven't had any problems with the seams on the BA going on 4 years. If you can't return it then scrape off what you can and seam seal.