Retractable awnings provide you with a cost-efficient way of protecting you from the harsh Aussie sun while simultaneously creating a comfortable and ventilated exterior entertainment area to host friends and loved ones. Although retractable awnings do not require rigorous maintenance, they do need some care to ensure that they have a long lifespan. Moreover, proper care for your awnings would also ensure that they remain pristine, which will retain the kerb appeal of your property. This handy guide should aid you in maintaining your retractable awnings, keeping them in optimum condition for much longer.
Do not let debris collect on the awnings
If you have several trees in your yard, debris in the form of twigs, broken branches, leaves and more will eventually make their way onto your awning. Some people make the mistake of leaving this organic matter to stay unfettered will have a couple of negative effects on your awnings. Firstly, the twigs and jagged limbs could end up tearing your awnings as they blow across the surface of the shelter and snag on the fabric. Secondly, as the leaves rot, they could end up staining your awnings, which would eventually make your awnings unsightly. Lastly, if this debris becomes caught up in the retractable mechanism, they could damage the functioning of your awnings. It is therefore recommended to gently brush away the awnings whenever you notice there is debris accumulating on top of it.
Routinely clean the framework of the awnings
When it comes to cleaning their awnings, homeowners tend to focus on the fabric and end up neglecting the framework of the structure. However, without a functioning framework, your awnings will lose their structure and will soon be inoperable. Fortunately, cleaning the framework is not unnecessarily complicated. The main thing to keep in mind is to avoid any abrasive cleaning agents, which would end up eroding the surface of the framework. Instead, stick to mild detergents and soft cloths to wipe the grime away. Also, take note to lubricate the moving parts so that the retractable mechanism does not begin to stick.
Give the awnings adequate time to dry
You may be meticulous with the cleaning of your awnings, but if you do not let them dry sufficiently, you would be accelerating the onset of other issues such as mould, mildew, water stains and more. Once you are done cleaning your awnings, you should mop up any excess water and leave them to air-dry. The same applies to waterproof awnings too as they could still suffer from water discolouration and end up yellowing from inadequate drying.
Share28 November 2017
Welcome! My name is Ian. I have spent the last 6 months working on the interior of my home. After bringing up two kids, my home wasn't looking the best. I just hadn't had the time to carry out any work on it. Not only did the interior of my home look like something from the 1990s, it had also been damaged by my kids. I called in a team of interior design experts and they helped me to redesign the space. I am now really happy with how my home looks. I have written a series of articles which will help you to transform your home.
