The right way to repair your awning

The following are instructions on how to use these tools to repair your damaged awning.

Awnings provide shade, protection and decoration for storefronts, homes and RVs, but when rips and tears form, they require tender loving care. Ideally, this help should come in the form of a dedicated individual equipped with vinyl repair tape, iron-on fabric patches, awning cleaner and plenty of patience.

Rips and holes in awnings may be common, but in wet climates, mildew damage is even more problematic. Fortunately, a number of retailers sell awning cleaner which, when sprayed on to the affected awning, can break up mould spores. From there, scrub off the mould with the help of a high-quality scrub brush. Use a hose or a bucket of water to rinse off the awning. Let the awning dry completely before returning it to its usual site.

There's no need to ditch a perfectly good awning simply due to one or two small rips. If your awning is made of fabric, invest in an iron-on fabric patch. Vinyl awnings require special vinyl repair tape. Cut a piece of matching fabric to fit the size of the repair patch. Rip off the backing of the patch and place it firmly over the rip. Turn the awning over and repeat the patching process. For canvas awnings, these patches may need to be ironed on.

As with an awning rip, a hole in an awning can be repaired with the help of a patch. First, however, it's essential to pursue preventative measures in order to ensure that the hole does not grow larger. Heat an awl over a stove and use it to melt the awning's acrylic. The frays around the hole will fuse together, ensuring that it remains the same size. From there, cover the awning with the help of a small adhesive patch.

If an awning has mould damage, it can nearly always be restored to its original level of quality. However, rips and tears, if large enough, may be impossible to fix. If attempts at patching the awning do not work or simply look too tacky, it may be time to consider a full awning replacement. This approach may also be required for awnings that have experienced severe colour fading.