Some awnings come with a waterproof facility, but it’s not always reliable. Hence, you should know, how to waterproof your awning for long-lasting performance and continuous sitting facility even in the rainy season.
An awning is quite an investment. So, it is apparent that you want it to protect you from sun rays as well as raindrops. For this, you need to waterproof the awning with a standard waterproofing sealant or other waterproofing material such as waterproof tent sprayers.
Fortunately, the waterproofing method is pretty straightforward. So, let’s get to see it. But before that, knowing why an awning leaks might help you fix the problem better.
Reasons for A Leaky Awning
You must have known that all kinds of awnings come with some sort of waterproofing or water-resistant facilities. Then, why does the canopy start leaking water after a few months of use, or why should you make it waterproof?
Most awnings are made of either canvas, acrylic, or 280g polyester fabric. All these fabrics under regular sunrays expand the thread that loosens the internal thread contraction. The continual expansion and then contraction create gaps in the fabric. Consequently, rainwater drips through the gap.
Moreover, oftentimes wind power pulls the fabric thread from the frame. As a result, the awning starts leaking.
But you can stop it by waterproofing the awning with ease.
5 Different Ways on How to Waterproof Your Awning
We are going to discuss the 5 different canvas awning waterproofing techniques that you can apply for your awning in the patio, balcony, backyard, and more.
1. Start with The Cleaning
Since a patio awning or even other kinds of canopy regularly takes the toll under the sun and exterior elements, it tends to get dirty over time. As a result, it tends to get dirty, and when you apply waterproof material to it, the dirt may get trapped inside forever.
Hence, you need to clean the awning thoroughly before proceeding to the waterproofing step.
At first, take a bucket full of soapy water. If you want to have favorable suds going on the rinsing procedure, you may apply dishwasher soap or regular laundry detergent. After that, use the soapy water on the awning and wait for a few moments. At this time, the chemical of the soap or detergent softens the grime and dirt combination.
Then, you need to remove the already softened grime and dirt with a soft brush. The brush should be such that it won’t damage the awning exterior or tear off the fabric. You will be required to move the brush in a circular motion instead of parallel action.
In this way, you will remove all stains, grime, dirt, and dust that was accumulated on the awing over a long period. Once you are thoroughly satisfied that you have cleaned all the grime and stains, use a proper garden hose to rinse everything from the awning.
You may need to apply the soapy water and brush the awning more than once, depending on the dirtiness of the canopy.
2. Spreading the Awning
Once the awning is totally dried out, you need to spread it for applying the waterproofing agent on it. Remember that the drying of the canopy is extremely crucial since no waterproof agent won’t stick on water.
You can use a peg to teach the awning on the canvas rail. Alternatively, you can hang the shelter on the washing line. In both cases, make sure the canopy is straight, and no place is crooked. Otherwise, you won’t be able to waterproof the tangled area of the awning.
3. Preparing the Waterproofing Area
Likewise, for any maintenance project, a neat and clean working area, is the precondition to show off it to your friends. Besides, you also carefully need to make sure that you won’t damage any nearby furniture or grassy area with the sealant agent.
Thereby, cover all the nearby exterior furniture such as windows, doorways, and exterior walls so that these don’t get dirty with the waterproofing stains. Once you are content that you have a full proofed preparation, it’s time to move on to the main patio awning waterproofing procedure.
4. Applying Waterproofing Agent on the Awning
Turning a regular awning into a waterproof and durable one is a pretty straightforward method. Yet, we recommend you focus on the small details. You can waterproof the canopy with different awning sealers.
- Using tent spray: Tent sprays are one of the most dependable and widely used waterproofing treatments for an awning, tent, and canvas sealing. Also, there are several types of tent spray present in the market. For instance, some tent sprays come with only waterproofing agents, while some have UV protection as well.
You will only need to spray the treatment evenly on the entire canopy surface.
- Waterproofing liquid: Most experts prefer using the petroleum-based liquid that is specially designed for waterproofing facilities. You will find many varieties in the market but choose the one that fits in with the awning fabric. You may ensure it from the label.
After getting the sealant liquid, put it into a spray bottle. It will allow you to cover the entire canopy within a short time. Don’t hurry and overuse the sealant.
- Waterproof tape: The corners of the awning especially, close to the frame, often drips water between the frame and canopy gap. You can use a good-quality waterproof tape to seal off these corners to stop leaky water. It will increase the frame endurance as well as of the canopy itself.
Note: Whether you use tent spray or regular petroleum-based waterproof liquid sealant, you should apply the component at least twice. It will create a waterproofing coating with more depth.
5. Drying the Awning
Once you have applied the awning sealant agent for the second time, it’s time to leave the canvass or canopy under the sun or in an open place where air flows freely. It will help the sealant dry off quickly and present you with a fully waterproof awning in no time.
That’s it- congratulations on your 1st successful attempt to create a waterproof awning for the patio, balcony, window, and so on.
Why Should You Waterproof the Awning
You should waterproof your awning for various reasons. First off, it will go a long way to save money from repairing the canopy every now and then. However, the most common benefits of a waterproof awning are-
- A waterproof awning prevents you from getting wet and catching the flu during the downpour.
- With the waterproof facility, the canopy fabric will last long, that will save you from expending more on buying the second awning once in a while.
- Some advanced awning sealant agents, such as tent sprays or waterproof agents, also come with some sorts of UV-protection. Subsequently, the awning is also made UV-proofed.
- Waterproof coating on the awning prevents continuous extraction and contraction of the fabric that eventually adds to its longevity.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Question: Is waterproof and water-resistant awning the same thing?
Answer: No, a waterproof and water-resistant awning isn’t the same thing. A water-resistant canopy can protect drizzle and occasional water spray on it but will start leaking water when it rains heavily. On the contrary, a waterproof awning with waterproof material will easily withstand the heaviest downpour without any problem.
2) Question: Water-resistant or waterproof awning, which is better for home usage?
Answer: Ideally, a waterproof awning will remain free of the effect of rain, whereas; water-resistant awning protects you from rainwater to a certain degree. However, a fully waterproof awning is more expensive than a water-resistant one. But looking at the long-lasting service of a waterproof canopy, in the long run, it’s worth investing in it if you don’t have issues with money.
3) Question: What is the most waterproof material ever built?
Answer: According to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), the most waterproof material that has been ever built is a silicone surface with tiny ridges on it. As the water drops on the ridged silicone surface, it bounces back to keep the surface totally waterproof.
Wrapping Up
A proper and good-looking awning changes everything around your home, from the outlook to the overall experience. But it comes at a fair amount of cost. So, it is natural that you will want the awning to last as long as possible.
For this, you need to make it waterproof so that heavy rains don’t harm it. And once you are ready with the waterproof awning, following our step-by-step guideline, you can sit, relax and enjoy the murmuring sound of raindrops.
Also, play your favorite song and enjoy a cup of cappuccino- life will never be so beautiful. And for such beautiful memories, we have discussed each possible nook and corner on how to waterproof your awning. Also, we have presented it in a detailed manner.
Hence, we aspire you find it easy.
Henry Jurk is an experienced architect with over 20 years of expertise in paving. He shares his knowledge and provides solutions through his blog posts at OkPatio.com. If you have any questions about patios, gardens, and outdoor spaces, you can find the correct answers from Henry. You can contact him via email at ar.henryjurk@gmail.com or through the website’s contact page.
