Having a patio shed is interesting as it makes you feel comfortable whenever you are outdoors especially with the scorching sun. One of the most commonly used shades is the patio umbrella. Most homeowners can afford to install these whenever they want to have a shaded patio. But how does one ensure that it serves them long enough without requiring a replacements or constant repairs? Below are simple tips you can apply to prolong the life of your patio umbrella.
1. Rinse the umbrella shades regularly
Make a point of spraying the umbrella shades with mild soap and water mixture to help rinse away any dust. It would be best if you allowed the soap mix to soak the umbrella for a few minutes before rinsing it off with clean water. Once done, it will enable the umbrella to dry naturally.
2. Remember to Wipe off Bases
The base of your patio umbrella can easily accumulate a lot of dirt that makes it unsightly and ugly. Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub off the dirt and a soft cloth to clean after. This will ensure that all the debris, including soil, is removed.
3. Constantly Brush Off Dust
As you clean and rinse off the dirt from the umbrella, make sure to brush off any loosely sitting debris. This ensures that you get a clean rinse each time you wash the umbrella.
4. Keep Inspecting the Umbrella
You may want to keep an eye on your umbrella for small tears and cracks. Make sure to repair these as soon as they appear on the umbrella. Ignoring them only encourages the cracks to become bigger and may cause serious leaks due to the magnitude of the damage.
5. Touch Up on Paint Work
Patio umbrellas fade with time because of exposure to sunlight. While they do a great job protecting you and ensuring the harsh rays do not get to you, they lose their color and brightness over time. Regular washing also makes to this fading scenario.
As such, you are advised to consider touching up the paintwork. You can ask a professional painter to help avoid making amateur mistakes that make the umbrella look weird. When painted correctly, the umbrella will serve you for a long.
6. Store the Patio Umbrella Properly
It would be best to consider getting a proper patio umbrella storage unit. Fortunately, there are several options, with the most popular being the patio storage shed. You can dismantle the umbrella and store it away in pieces, ensuring that the canvas part is safely secured in a bag. Proper storage goes a long way in ensuring that the umbrella lasts long. However, make sure to keep the umbrella away after it has been cleaned and properly dried.
Taking good care of your patio umbrella is part of the steps you need to follow when carrying out routine maintenance in the patio area. Your dedication will pay off as the patio umbrella will look perfect for long, meaning that you do not have to invest more money replacing it.