Buying an Awning is one of the most effective investments around that is sure to do its job cost-effectively and efficiently but, what some folks don’t realise is that buying an Awning does require somewhat of a commitment.
It’s no secret that Awnings need a bit of yearly love and care and the reason for this is mainly due to the weather.
Since winter is upon us and winter can put quite a bit of strain on your Awning, we thought we would share some tips on how best to take care of it during the winter months to ensure that it serves its purpose and is well-taken care of and prepared for the changes in weather throughout.
The first and most important tip is cleaning your Awning. Cleaning your Awning at the start of winter simply sets a president for the rest of the season – it’s like starting off on the right foot – making sure that your Awning is clean and free from debris and dust can prevent further damage such as dents and scratches due to the movement of debris and dust granules during periods of high wind or rain.
While we’re on the topic, we’d like to remind you exactly what causes debris and dust or dirt to collect on your Awning.
If you have any surrounding trees, plants or bushes that may hang over or grow alongside your Awning, be sure to trim back any overgrown branches that could potentially break off and fall on top of your Awning or cause an excess of leaves, twigs and other forms of smaller debris to start collecting. Not only is this a great precautionary measure but it also means your property will have a fresh new do before winter starts!
For those of you who have a Retractable Awning, the solution is simple, you need only ensure your awning is clean and dry and then simply retract it for the winter months. If you find yourself potentially hosting functions outside and needing the Awning as a form of shelter then you can quickly extend the awning, give it a quick brush with a soft bristled brush or a simple rinse with a hose to remove any dust that may have collected whilst retracted (We don’t supply and fit retractable awnings but just some helpful tips if you do own one)
Some of you in the colder areas such as the Drakensberg, inland as far as Johannesburg and even on the West Coast as far as Cape Town who experience possible snow fall or at the very least frost in the early mornings and evenings due to the drastic drop in temperatures, we haven’t forgotten about you. If you find an excessive amount of frost or icicles developing on the edge of your awning, we suggest taking a hard-bristled brush and gently scraping as much of these off as possible. Generally speaking, these do not have much a of an impact on the Awning itself as they form where condensation and water run/drip off the edge and aren’t entirely covering your Awning. If you experience snowfall during the winter months be sure to sweep excess snow off your Awning so as to prevent the Awning from sagging or tearing from the weight. This will also prevent hard ice from developing under the layers of soft snow (you may have to do this a few times but you’ll thank us at the end of the Winter months when you still have a strong, sturdy Awning in place that is free from any unnecessary damage.)
Now that you have a clean and dry Awning that is prepared, in an area that is free from the reach of plants or trees and has been fully inspected to make sure there is no damage prior to the winter months that needs to be fixed, essentially you are ready for Winter but that does not mean that the maintenance and care is over. Weather is rather unpredictable and there may be a time throughout the winter that requires you to conduct another clean or two so be sure to conduct regular checks to ensure your Awning is not at risk of damage.