Three Helpful Awning Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
If you’re a homeowner in Houston, TX, attractive awnings add to the enjoyment of your outdoor space. They provide some much-needed shade from the sun, which can be harsh most of the year in a place like Houston. Regular care is the key to keeping your awning in excellent aesthetic and functional condition. Here are three helpful awning maintenance tips to keep you well protected from the sun for seasons to come.
Clean the fabric
An outdoor awning is a significant investment, and proper awning fabric care is a key component of awning maintenance. You should clean the top side of your awning at least once a year—it helps keep the material in good condition and helps it retain its original color. If you have a small awning, you can probably stick it in the washing machine to clean it quickly. With larger awnings, simply remove the fabric, then scrub off dirt, grime and other elements of nature with a mild, eco-friendly dish soap. Always consult your manufacturer’s instructions for specific information about proper awning fabric care.
You might be tempted to use a power washer on your fabric, but be warned that damage can occur even on a low setting. If manually cleaning an awning doesn’t sound like your idea of a fun afternoon, get in touch with your local awning company. They’ll be happy to bring your awning back to beautiful condition with a thorough cleaning.
Remove paint
Accidents happen—especially when paint is involved. If you’ve been painting things like window trim or making touch-ups to your exterior walls around your awning, it’s easy to have a few spills. If you’re using an oil-based paint, don’t feel like all hope is lost. For natural material and acrylic awnings, use a general oil or grease remover to scrub off the paint. If you have a vinyl awning, an orange-based citrus cleaner helps eliminate all signs of the spill. Water-based paint is much easier to clean up—just scrub some liquid dish soap around the spill area, gently working it into the paint. In no time, all traces of the spill should be gone.
Remove rust
If your awning has metal components, there’s a likelihood that these pieces can rust over time due to exposure to the elements. Just because you see a little rust, though, doesn’t mean your awning needs to be replaced. Gently work a mixture of citric acid and water into any areas of rust and corrosion. Wash and rinse and repeat the steps as needed until all signs of rust are removed. If the components are just too far gone, consult your local awning specialist to receive a quick replacement.
If you’re a homeowner in Houston, TX and you’ve invested in a quality awning, you need to perform regular awning maintenance to keep it looking and functioning at its best. It’s often helpful to consult an awning expert to check your unit for signs of damage and to make any necessary repairs. Contact ABC Awning Company for advice to give your current awning new life and enhance the look and feel of your outdoor living space.
Categorised in: Awning Maintenance