Rain can feel endless during West Coast winters, with long stretches of wet, windy weather pummeling homes and businesses. Punishing storm systems beat relentlessly at outdoor structures. Fortunately, a small amount of pre-winter maintenance can keep your patio cover in good working order all season long. Read on for simple autumn maintenance tips.
How Can I Protect My Patio in Winter?
In addition to rain, winter wind is sometimes strong enough to fling debris. Snow can weigh structures down in areas of higher elevation. Patio covers, awnings, and roofs face extended, repeated stress. Moisture collects in gaps and seals, and wind batters everything from fabric to retractable apparatuses. Snow and water collect on damaged roofs, adding further strain. Even seemingly small maintenance issues can cause outsized damage. Clogged gutters create pools of water that eventually overflow, while hairline cracks and loose screws get worse with each storm, causing leaks, mould, corrosion, and warped parts. Damaged motors and sensors can fail right when they matter most.
Luckily, seasonal check-ins are doable for most property owners, not to mention a lot less expensive than waiting to notice severe damage. It rarely takes more than a few hours to clean and inspect a structure, tighten screws, and make small fixes for patio rain and snow protection. Fall is the perfect time to inspect your deck cover before the weather turns inconveniently wet.
Winter Awning Maintenance and Patio Roof Care
What exactly should you check during seasonal maintenance? Winter awning care revolves largely around three issues: fabric, movement mechanisms, and structural integrity. To clean fabric, brush off dirt and debris before washing with gentle soap. Don’t use pressure washers or harsh chemicals, both of which can damage covers and awnings. Inspect for frayed edges, tears, fading, and stubborn stains. Allow fabric to dry before retracting to avoid mildew. Replacement is called for if you find expanding tears, entrenched mildew, or loss of water-resistant coatings. To test mechanisms, extend and retract your cover a few times after cleaning debris from the tracks. Listen for unwanted sounds like squeaking or grinding, and look for uneven or jerky movement. Last but not least, check sensors, switches, and remotes.
For patio covers and fixed roof systems, start by getting debris out of gutters, drains, and downspouts. Run water through to make sure it flows and drains properly. Next, look for warping and cracks in roof panels. Check underneath for water stains, which indicate leaks. Sagging panels and leaning posts indicate a lapse in structural integrity, as does severe corrosion on metal parts or rot in wooden components. Seals, fasteners, and joints should be inspected as well. Though most checks and fixes are fairly easy to do yourself, some call for professional work.
Seasonal Roof System Checks: When to Call a Professional
Professional help is critical for any fix that requires specialized equipment or expertise. A trustworthy contractor can also spot early signs of big problems. There are several signals to look for when deciding whether to call an outdoor living specialist. Stubborn leaks, compromised structural integrity, significant rust, and notable fabric damage all benefit from expert work. So do cracked and failing seals where the house and cover meet.
Seasonal service visits typically include thorough inspections; testing of motors, retractable mechanisms, and sensors; needed replacements of fasteners, hardware, and seals; assessment of fabric; and repair guidance. Many property owners schedule routine autumn retractable patio roof checks from professionals, keeping their awnings and roof systems in good repair while protecting their wallets.
