How to Prepare Your Retractable Awning for the Winter

Now that summer has officially ended, fall is here and winter is right around the corner, you might be updating your wardrobe with some warm, waterproof layers. In addition to making adjustments in what you wear, it’s important that you take steps to get your home prepared for the colder, wetter months that are coming up. If you have a retractable awning, it’s a good idea to take some steps to prepare it for the winter so that it stays in the best condition possible all year round:

• Inspect your awning: Before you can prepare your awning for winter, it’s a good idea to inspect it for signs of excessive wear or damage. Looking for these signs early on can prevent more extensive damage to your awning from occurring. If you spot tears in your fabric awning or signs of mechanical problems, make sure to get them repaired by a qualified awning manufacturer in Austin, TX that also offers repair services.
• Clean your awning: Once you’re inspected your awning, you should clean it thoroughly. Dilute some dish soap in warm water and use a soft brush to scrub your awning and clean the frame. Make sure that you plan your cleaning so that your awning has plenty of time to dry before temperatures dip below freezing.
• Avoid use during heavy frost: If you have a retractable awning, avoid setting it up when temperatures are below freezing or frost has accumulated overnight. Trying to use your awning when it’s frosty outside can cause damage to its motorized mechanisms or fabric.
• Remove your valance: If you have a fabric awning valance, you should consider removing it and storing it during the harshest winter months. Heavy snowfall, rain, freezing temperatures and wind can seriously damage your valance, especially if it’s older or it already has some tears and damage. Take a look at the weather forecast and bring down your valance if there’s a big storm or some inclement weather coming up.
• Clear away debris and precipitation buildup: During the fall and winter, your awning will inevitably accumulate some leaves, debris, snow and frost, and it’s important to remove this debris as soon as possible. Leaving this debris on your awning can lead to staining, attract pests and put excessive weight and stress on your awning fabric and mechanisms. Simply brushing off debris, snow and ice doesn’t take long, and it can make a big difference for the longevity and condition of your awning.

At Hill Country Awnings & Shades of Texas, we know that you can’t always avoid some winter damage to your awning, which is why we are proud to offer repair services in addition to being among the premier awning manufacturers in Austin, TX. If your awning is nearing the end of its life, we would be happy to design and create a customized shade solution that fits your space, preferences and budget perfectly. We would be happy to provide you with a free service estimate—just give us a call to get started!

Categorised in: Retractable Awnings