There are few things better than sitting out on your patio or deck on a nice day. When the sun is beating down or rain begins to fall, you’ll be glad you’ve got a retractable awning that’s there when you need it. However, these convenient home advancements won’t last very long if they aren’t well taken care of. Sometimes that means getting professionals to come out for awning repairs, and other times that means performing regular maintenance. Here, the pros at Giglio Awning have prepared a retractable awning maintenance checklist to help keep your awning working for years.
Clean It Properly
The cover of your retractable awning is made of fabric, which is resilient but still needs to be cleaned regularly. Regardless of if your awning is motorized or manual, it will be exposed to a lot. Not only does the weather have an impact, but dirt, bird droppings, insects, and airborne pollutants can cause it to become filthy if not kept in check.
You’ll want to clean it with a hose and a broom a couple of times a year for residential awnings and every month or two for commercial awnings. This helps keep dirt and dust from piling up. Cleaning solutions can be used if there are stubborn stains, but research if the solution is safe with your awning’s material. In some cases, dish soap and water should be fine, but non-chlorine bleach or vinegar may need to be added. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure to rinse the metal frame clean. In general, the frame won’t need to be cleaned as often.
Close It During Inclement Conditions
Being able to sit under your awning and have a cup of coffee outside on a rainy morning is certainly a perk. However, it’s smart for homeowners to retract their awning to prevent it from getting soaked in a storm. If snow, heavy rainfall, or strong winds are expected, retract your awning to help protect against damage.
Keep the Awning Open if Wet
After the rain has stopped, you’ll want to make sure to open the awning. This is because a wet, retracted awning is a perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Opening it up when wet allows it to dry more quickly.
Be Conscious of the Motor
If you own a motorized retractable awning, make sure you don’t damage the motor when cleaning it. You might turn to a pressure washer for a deep clean during electric awning maintenance, but this can cause the motor to stop working.
Keep Plants Away
Shrubbery and vines can creep their way near your awning. These plants have chemicals and acids that can stain the fabric or damage the frame. Trimming plants near the awning is a smart way to help it last.
Lubricate
Depending on the materials and construction, basic awning maintenance means you should use a dry silicone spray lubricant once a year. Lubricating the moving parts of the awning will help ensure it can move in and out effortlessly when needed.
Protect It When Not in Use
While today’s awnings are built to handle a lot, keeping them out in direct sunlight constantly can result in the fabric fading. When you’re not using your awning and don’t plan to be in your outdoor space for some time, it will help to keep it retracted.
Look to the Professionals for Help with Retractable Awning Maintenance
At Giglio Awning, we sell high-quality awnings, do necessary repairs, and perform fixed and retractable awning maintenance services for those in Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, Burlington, and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey. We even provide fast installation to help you enjoy your new awning more quickly. Contact us if you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment.