Retractable awnings are designed for shade, not rain, and not to hold any extra weight when out. To make them last longer, it is best to hose down the awning frame with fresh water once a month. The best care is to use a long-handled nylon bristle brush to sweep away any dust, dirt, or leaves that should land on it. If you choose to use cleaners, use only mild soap, or use anything more toxic than those, you will risk losing the ultraviolet, mildew, and water resistance that the fabric came with.
The following are some of the most common problems:
extending and retracting difficulties;
fungus and mould multiplication;
colour fading;
difficult-to-remove dirt;
fabric cover tearing, and many more.
Unfortunately, most people realize too late that they must maintain and clean their retractable awnings. Regular maintenance can prevent such issues and ensure the awning’s trouble-free operation for many years. We will provide critical cleaning and retractable awning maintenance tips in this regard.
How to Care for a Retractable Awning
To begin, cleaning your outdoor awnings regularly is best. Then, you can keep it in good condition in addition to keeping it clean.
The first step is to inspect your retractable awnings before you begin cleaning. Next, examine the joints to ensure they are not bulging and are snug against the wall.
If there are any signs of bending, they must be repaired. This will be much easier if the joints are still in good condition. If you do not fix the joints, your awning will eventually stop working.
You can clean your retractable awnings after inspecting them. You should take the following steps:
1. Using a brush, remove any loose debris from the awning.
2. Begin cleaning the fabric from the bottom up.
3. Hose down the fabric to remove any remaining debris.
4. Remove stains from the fabric with a soft brush and mild soap.
5. To avoid leaving marks on the product, thoroughly rinse and remove all soap residue.
6. Before retracting, allow the fabric to dry completely.
7. Once a month, repeat the cleaning process.
Apart from cleaning the awning, you should also consider its surroundings. To avoid damaging the fabric, keep vines, branches, and shrubbery as far away as possible.
Battery Care
Furthermore, many customers call to report that their motorized retractable awnings have stopped working. Changing the battery in the remote is usually the quick fix for this one. That is the issue nine times out of ten. You can contact the office for further assistance if that doesn’t work.
People who have wind sensors report that their awning is acting strangely. For example, they put the awning out, there is no wind, and it suddenly pulls itself back in, and the cycle continues. This is most likely due to a battery problem in the wind sensor. Replace the wind sensor’s battery. This is how it works: after installing a wind sensor, it is paired with the motor. As long as the two are linked, the motor will periodically search for the wind sensor to protect the awning. If the wind sensor’s battery is dead, or if the wind sensor has been removed and driven to another country, the motor will be unable to locate it and will automatically retract the awning. It’s a safe situation. If someone no longer wants or needs a wind sensor, it must be unpaired from the motor for the motor to stop looking for it.
We hope these retractable awning maintenance tips were helpful. If you need more help with maintenance service, please contact us.