USVI-On-Line

Okay all you snorkel gurus - I have a snorkel mask that leaks alot. It is probably 4 or 5 years old, and did not leak until just last year - I did buy a replacement, because I just couldn't enjoy snorkeling.

So my question is - Is this mask just trash - or can anything be done to remedy a leaky situation? It seems to seal when I first start out, but it's not very long into a snorkel when it starts filling up. What is the life-span of a mask?

It was not a cheap mask, but not a real high-priced one either. It was bought at one of the dive shops on St John.

I am trying to decide whether or not to take it along this trip.

Leaky masks can be caused by:
being too tight
sunblock on the seal area
mask not fully cleaned from prior use.
Good luck. If it still leaks I would get another mask. The cost is minimal considering the cost of the vacation.
ED

Did you grow a mustache recently? If you're a woman, please ignore that question

I remember asking our local dive shop person how long a good quality mask lasts... he was vague, understandably, and said "for a long while". I guess it depends on how frequently it is used and how well it is cared for, etc. and maybe some luck is involved.

Have you let anyone else use your mask? That could also cause your perfect mask to start leaking.

My 4-year-old mask started leaking on St. John several years ago. I paid about $50 for it and I hated to just trash it. After I bought a replacement on the island, my husband carefully checked the leaking mask and found the cause of the leak. In my case, there was a tiny disjoint between the glass part of the mask and the silicone part. He put them back together and the mask was fine.
If the cause of the leak is a deformation of the silicone/rubber part, I don't know if it's fixable... I kind of doubt it but I'm not a snorkel gear expert.

The big question is where is it leaking from?
If it is around the edge of the glass, you may very well be able to fix it by either readjusting the plastic or using some silicone type sealant. If its from the skirt area ( the soft part that molds to your face), it is less likely that you can fix it. Another cause of mask deterioration is if it is exposed to too much sunlight, or is stored in a way that distorts the skirt for a long time. Good luck, DD

Certainly can't hurt to give the seal a good cleaning with some toothpaste (gel kind, not too abrasive). That's helped me in the past.

Maybe the strap has stretched over time and needs to get tightened a notch?

I was surprised that my mask leak problem a couple of years ago was caused by a too tight strap.