Last modified: 2020-01-11 | Approximate reading time 
3 mins
The awning of your home provides shade throughout those long summer months while adding an element of decoration onto the facade. Since an awning can add significant curb appeal, you’ll want to keep them in good working order. That’s why it’s important to know how to both maintain and repair your awning.
As an awning lives outside, there are plenty of things it comes up against, including the fluctuating weather in all four seasons. Your home’s awning can experience weather damage with the possibility of rips, holes as well as mould and mildew growth. If you’re concerned that this could happen to you, read on to find all our tips and tricks for awning repair and maintenance.
Here’s how to take care of your home’s awning
Prepare for damage repair!
Before taking on any form of repair on your awning, you’ll want to clean it off. First, take a long-handled broom and knock away any dirt, dust or cobwebs. Do this on both the top and bottom of the awning. If you are repairing a hole in the awning, then it is recommended that you give it a clean beforehand.
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This can be done with regular soap and water, using this mixture alongside a scrub brush to remove built-up dirt. Rinse this mixture following. If you haven’t already applied one, pick up a sealant that is made to be used outdoors. Apply the sealant to a clean awning, as a dirty one will reduce its effectiveness. Bear in mind that your awning should be cleaned at least once every 6 months in order to preserve its longevity.
Mould and mildew damage on your awning
source: Flickr
If your home is in a wet climate, chances are your awning is susceptible to mould and mildew growth. Even if you live in a dry place, your awning can easily be damaged by regular amounts of rain or snowfall. However, if you find signs of mould or mildew, all is not lost. Luckily, these spores are relatively easy to get rid of. Take a trip to your local hardware store and be on the lookout for awning cleaner. This will work to break up the spores when sprayed on the affected area. You can also use soap and water for this job, but ultimately, this may not kill the spores themselves.
It may be easier for you to remove the awning before cleaning it, but if it’s not too difficult to get to, you could leave it up. Spray the cleaner you’ve purchased onto the awning, letting this soak into the material for a bit. Next, use a scrub brush to scrub the mould off the awning. Lastly, use a hose or a bucket of water to rinse off the awning. If you’ve taken it down from the side of your house, return it to its usual spot only when it’s completely dry.
How to repair rips and holes on an awning
Of course, the repair process of any rips or holes in your awning will directly depend on the material they're made from. If your awning is made of fabric, you’ll need to repair any holes with an iron-on patch, preferably in the same colour or pattern. This method can also work with canvas awnings. Cut the patch to the size or shape of the hole, then rip the backing of the patch and place it over the hole. Make sure to repeat this process on either side of the awning.
For vinyl awnings, you will require a special vinyl repair tape. If there is simply a rip in the surface, you can repair it using an awl melted over the rip. You can do this by heating the awl on the stove, and placing it on the tear. The frays surrounding the hole should fuse together, and this is very important as you’ll want to take all preventative measures to make sure the hole doesn’t grow. Following this, cover the awning with the help of a small adhesive patch.
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