How to know when you need a new Umbrella

A brief overview of three checks to look out for, as well as tips for extending the longevity of your cantilever umbrella, follows below.

1. The Canopy Fabric

Understanding a little about the material of your canopy and its warranty can go a long way in determining what you should expect timewise for durability, but to visibly see its condition will help you know how its handling the conditions:

• Stains
• Tearing
• Colour fade
• Stretching
• Stubborn staining and mould

Regularly spot cleaning your umbrella as dirt appears will reduce the opportunity for abrasion on the fabric. For an itemised listing of how to clean different stains, check out our blog here.

A sign of wear and tear is, well, tearing. Patch work can be effective for covering holes, however, tearing is a sign that the fabric’s UV protection is not as effective as it used to be. Canopies in which tears keep appearing indicate ageing, and considerations towards a new canopy/umbrella are recommended.

Another sign of wear and tear is colour fade. The fabric is being altered by sun exposure, which also reduces its ability to protect from harmful UV rays, assuming it was UV resistance to begin with.

Stretching…

Stubborn stains and mould…

2. General Functionality

You may notice over time that your umbrella doesn’t function with the smoothness it once had. Whether that is in its winding mechanism, its tilting and rotating or even an excessive loosening of parts, maintenance should be considered for both ease and convenience of use, and to avoid potential harm.

Again, some of these diagnoses could simply mean maintenance or a part replacement (more on this below), but they may just as likely mean your umbrella is on the brink of failure. Not considering these until a breakage occurs could be dangerous for your family and friends.

3. Arms and Framework Check

What is, however, a clear sign you may need a new umbrella is the condition of your frame. You may find either damage on arms, bending at the frame, or rust and corrosion.I think we need another sentence here.

Particularly for a premium umbrella, the frame should certainly last longer than the canopy. So signs of damage here are going to be the strongest evidence for your need to find a new umbrella.

What Can You Do To Maintain Your Umbrella?

Here is what we recommend  to maintain your umbrella:

• Purchase a bag cover for your umbrella if it is available
• Keep your umbrella closed when not in use (particularly in windy conditions)
• If your umbrella is on a movable base, store your umbrella in a safe place
• Avoid creasing your umbrella by packing it down incorrectly
• Hose your umbrella and spot clean any stains*
• If you identify resistance in a function, spray the necessary areas with WD-40
• For strong umbrella frames, invest in a canopy replacement if that is available

*Tip - see if you can find any information regarding how to remove specific stains. Not all stains are equal and need to be treated with different solutions. See our blog here for an itemised solution.

What Can Revolvashade Offer?

If you are looking for a new umbrella for your outdoor setting, we do offer a variety of premium cantilever umbrellas that are designed to last.

It is not uncommon for us to service and issue canopy replacements on 10+ year old umbrellas, or receive orders from repeat customers.

To see our entire range of umbrellas, be sure to check out our products page.

Get in contact with our team if you have any questions or would like to place an order.