April 12, 2012. Samuel Valero
Shade maintenance is the most simple and easy regimen one can have to double up or at the least add up to the life of one’s shade structures. Sail canopies need to be kept in a good shape since they are just like portfolios of investment.
There is however, cost, time and manpower to think about when taking care of one’s outdoor piece.
If you want to know which “regimen” will help you maintain your shade structure and keep it in an almost perfect condition then the following tips will help you understand how to keep your sail canopies in good shape in a cost effective and time efficient manner.
Clean to the Top
The shade cloth accumulates a lot of dust, dirt, mold and other foreign particles when it’s hanging out side and especially when it’s done so all year round. The sail surface should be cleaned so that no darkening or discoloration occurs. In order to thoroughly wash the canopy one should take it off the poles and hang vertically in the air and run down with low pressure water. The sail should then be washed by a mild soap using a soft- bristle brush or foam. The Sail should be hand washed and not dry cleaned so that its UV protection capability is not reduced. In order to keep your investment in good shape, cleaning it once every year is adequate.
Store for More Years
All sun shade sail canopies are designed for semi permanence. One should take the initiative to take off the shades in seasons in which the canopies wouldn’t be needed much like in the winter and rainy months, this helps the outdoor accessories last for a very long time. On storing however, it is important that you make sure that the sail’s surface is dry otherwise molds will start growing on the fabric. One should also make sure that the fabric is stored in a place where no pests thrive since this will keep it safe from possible damage.
Prevention is Better than Cure
A regular checking of the sun canopy for cuts, tears and spot abrasions must be done. Since the canopy is always outside and is open to extreme wind currents any untended tears can lead to even more pronounced perforations which can lead to total damage of the sail shade.
Preventing smaller cuts will avoid the development of bigger rips.
Taking care that the poles which hold the sail shade are maintained is very important. This is so because the shade sail posts also form the outdoor structure. If you maintain your shade sail foundation it reduces the chances of the shade structure from collapsing or disengaging especially during unexpected and unfavorable weather conditions.
The 3 step regimen of the maintenance of shade sails is consisted of regular cleaning, storing when not in use and monitoring. There won’t be much trouble taking care of your sun canopy since the material associated and the degree of work needed are not as complicated as one might have imagined. In the end you will come to know that the more you spend time and tend to your investment, the more you will enjoy the benefits of your shade sail structure.
Updated April 12, 2012. Published October 5, 2011. Samuel Valero
