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Tag: awning issues

Tips to Keep Your Awning Safe and Secure During the Winter

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

Peterson Canvas Awnings are a fantastic addition to any residential or commercial space. Whether it cozies up your back porch or your outside seating, keeping your awning pristine is a task that requires a lot of care. Here are some recommended treatment methods and tips to consider to keep your awning fresh.

 

Look for Mildew

Mildew is the primary killer of fabric awnings. It can appear quickly and without consistent inspection can cause serious damage to your awning. You should inspect your awning for mildew buildup once a month, twice a month if you live in a humid climate and during the colder months. If your awning has cleaning directions from the manufacturer, follow them! Otherwise, use a low strength liquid soap and lukewarm water. Soak the top of the awning from the lowest end to highest, letting the soap work the dirt out slowly. Then, rinse the awning from the highest end to the lowest.

 

Consider storing inside

Some may find their awnings useful in the winter, especially in rainy climates. However, a buildup of cold water and snow combined with harsh winds can rapidly age and damage awnings, especially if they see regular usage. Consider storing your awning in a garage or otherwise protected area.

 

Repair tears immediately

If you notice a tear in your awning when inspecting it, DO NOT USE IT. Even a small tear can rapidly grow in harsh weather conditions, eventually ruining the awning entirely. Make sure to stow the awning immediately and call Peterson Canvas and Awning for repairs.

 

Watch the forecast

Keeping an eye on the forecast is a great way to ensure the long-term health of your awning. Consider staying inside and keeping your awning closed on windy days to lower the odds of stray debris costing you big time. If you tend to leave your awning open (or it is not retractable), make sure to get it out of harm’s way before any major snowfall might jeopardize its health. 

For more information about awnings and maintenance, call Peterson Canvas & Awning  at (970) 493-4033 today! We carry a large variety of residential retractable awnings, commercial awnings and sail shades.

Common Awning Installation Issues & Solutions

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

If you are looking to spend time outdoors with family under a retractable awning, this is the perfect time! During nice, warm and sunny weather many homeowners choose to sit under an awning or shade to enjoy their outdoor living areas. Yet, after many months of not using it, you may come across some problems when trying to take it out. Here are some common awning installation issues and solutions.

 

Issue: The awning makes a knocking or cracking noise when extending or retracting

Solution: The awning brackets have not been tightened completely. Be sure the square torsion bar is completely seated in the back of the mounting bracket and tighten the mounting bolt until the locking lip on the inside of the mounting bracket is drawn down over the torsion bar.

 

Issue: The fabric sags and is not tight

Solution: The arms are locked out (over extended), causing the fabric to sag. Reverse cranking direction and retract the awning in until the fabric is taut. Important: The fabric should always rollover the top of the roller tube, not from underneath.

 

Issue: The motorized awning stopped working while you were rolling in and out

Solution: Your awning motor has a built-in thermal override to prevent overheating. Prolonged use, in and out several times in a row can cause the motor to temporarily shut down. Let the motor cool down for 10 to 15 minutes and try the remote again. The unit should begin to operate again.

 

There are also some things to be aware of to ensure the beauty and strength of your awning.

 

DO NOT leave the awning extended when you are not home. Strong winds may damage your awning and this is typically not covered by the warranty.

 

DO NOT hang plants or small children off the front bar for the safety of your family members and the safety of your awning. Hanging heavy items may cause the awning to collapse and break.

 

DO retract the unit when not in use or if severe weather is predicted.

 

DO occasionally clean your awning as described in the care and maintenance section.

 

DO retract your motorized awning with the manual override feature if you lose power.

 

At Peterson Canvas, we offer many styles of awnings and shades for the Fort Collins area. Our experts can recommend the perfect solution to any awning need you may have. Contact us today at 970-493-4033.

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