Reproofing

The main reason to wash and reproof waterproof items is to revive the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating on the product and clean the product of dirt and debris. This helps to restore the waterproof properties and breathability of the fabric.

Virtually all waterproof clothing has a coating on the outside known as a durable water repellent (DWR), this includes products by GORE-TEX®, Sympatex®, eVENT®, Aquafoil®, and HyVent®. This system is most commonly referred to as DWR. The DWR coating is essentially a products first line of defence against water and is an essential part of a product’s overall performance. Its primary job is to prevent water saturating the material by altering the surface properties of the fabric. When the DWR is performing well, water droplets maintain a rounder shape resembling a bead and should roll off the product.

When the DWR coating is breaking down, water will stop running off the jacket and start to saturate the jackets exterior. It generally looks like dark wet spots around the product. If the product has a waterproof membrane on the inside, the DWR failure doesn't necessarily mean you will get wet but will instead leave you feeling damp and clammy.

There are a few reasons why your DWR may begin to fail but the most common causes are age and dirt build up.

There is no strict rule on how frequently an item should be re-proofed and it can be confusing given the number of product variations. We would say it depends on three key factors. How often it is used, the intensity of the activities and the type of membrane you have.

If your item has an older PTFE style membrane and is used regularly, it should probably be re-proofed every 3-4 months to keep it performing at its best. If your item isn't used often, reproofing every 6-12 months should be sufficient.

Newer ePE style membranes need more care to keep them performing at their best and should be washed on a monthly basis if used regularly.

Once an item arrives with us, we will complete a visual inspection for any immediate problems that may reduce the effectiveness of the wash and re-proof. The main thing we will be looking out for is signs that the waterproof membrane is beginning to delaminate. Once this inspection is completed, we then test small areas of the item on a hydrostatic head to look for any potential abrasions and to see how well the membrane is performing. If you believe there is a particular area of your product that is leaking, please let us know so we can test that area. Once an item has passed the inspection and test, we will schedule it for the wash and re-proof. Alternatively, should we identify any problems, we will call you to advise and discuss other options where possible.

We stock a variety of reproofing products including sprays and wash-in agents from leading brands such as Nikwax and Grangers.