How to seal raincoat seams

A raincoat is, as the name suggests, a coat for the rain. And for it to be fit for purpose, it has to do just that. Protect you from the rain.

But if a raincoat does not have its seams sealed, it will leak and cause the wearer discomfort in the rain.

But what if the fabric is waterproof?

It doesn’t matter. The seams of a garment is one of their weak points. If a seam is stitch bonded then the need needle and thread process punctures the fabric with hundreds of little holes as the thread that holds the pattern together is woven through. These holes, though small offer the perfect opportunity for water to pass through. Weather Resistant Jackets are a perfect example of this. The fabric of the garment may be windproof and waterproof but the seams are not sealed which can cause water to enter and the wind the blow in.

So how are raincoats made waterproof?

There are a lot of factors to make a garment waterproof but without question, one of the most vital components is seam sealing tape.

What is seam sealing tape?

Seam Sealing Tape is simply an adhesive tape that is used on seams of clothing and other manufacturered products to prevent humidity and water penetration whilst adding strength to the products seam joint.

What is seam sealing tape?

How do I know if my raincoat has been seam sealed?

You will commonly find seam sealing tapes used in:

• Outdoor Clothing such as Waterproof Jackets, Fishing Gear etc.
• Sports Clothing
• Waterproof Boots and other footwear
• Camping Tents, Sleeping Bags and Rucksack/Backpacks
• Wet Suits, Dry Suits and Diving Equipment
• Military Clothing, Packs, Vests, Helmets and other equipment
• PPE covering masks, gowns, suits and so much more.

To find out if your raincoat has been seam sealed, simply look to the inside of the garment and the seams. If there is a tape which has been bonded to the garment (using adhesives) then you have a seam sealed waterproof rain coat. If there is no evidence of seam sealing tape and you can clearly see the stitched seam, then you have a showerproof coat rather than an out and out raincoat.

How are seam sealing tapes applied?

Seams are taped with an adhesive single (1 layer), 2 layer or 3 layer seam sealing tape. Seam Sealing Tape is simply an adhesive tape that is used on seams of clothing and other manufactured products to prevent humidity and water penetration whilst adding strength to the products seam joint.

You can find out more about how to apply seam sealing tape by clicking the button below.

How to apply seam sealing tape

ARE ALL THE SEAMS OF A WATERPROOF JACKET SEAM SEALED?

Not always. Heavy duty jackets generally will be in what is called ‘Fully Taped Seams’. However on some garments, to make them lighter and more packable, they may only have seam sealing tape on some of the more important and critical seams in what is called ‘critical seams’. These will be found around the garments hood, neck and shoulder areas. These are the areas where rain most easily penetrates a jacket.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEAM SEALING TAPE?

Yes there are. The seam sealing tapes used on a garment can depend on what the garment is used for. There are single layer, double layer and triple layer seam sealing tapes. There are fabric tapes so that (for example) on waterproof soft shells jackets, the seam sealing tapes can match the inner fabric lining. They can also be used to create more comfortable contact points that may otherwise cause body rub.

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From seam seal tapes, heat sealing and ultrasonic cutting technologies to engineering semi-automatic and fully automatic manufacturing equipment to maximise efficiencies and de-skill operations to improve output.

We have, for nearly 50 years, developed Award Winning construction technology for customers worldwide and have built our reputation on developing and delivering high quality machinery and seam sealing tapes that are usable, adaptable and have a real focus on producing a quality finish.

To find out more about our seam sealing machines, tapes and bespoke garment construction solutions, please contact our Global Head Office today by filling out the form below.