Dismantle The Crank Housing
The fine details of housing can vary from brand to brand, so weve gone with the most common style available. Therell be a box which surrounds the crank mechanism. Undo the screws therell usually be four Phillips head type screws and detach the box from the pole. Its worth noting that if your patio umbrella has been kept outside for a significant period of time, there may be an element of rusting to the screws. Therefore its best to approach this gently in order to avoid breaking rusted screws. Spraying a little lubricant around the screw can ease this process a little. A good tip here is to set the housing down with the screws still in their holes. That way you minimize the risk of losing them, or wasting time hunting around for them afterwards.
Repairing Patio Umbrella Ribs
Strong winds could topple patio umbrellas. As a result, one of the parts that easily get damaged is the rib. This is the metallic or wooden rod that holds the umbrella so that it can stand above the table.
When the rib breaks, it isnt time to buy a new one. Try what you can to salvage the umbrella. Heres a quick guide on how to fix the broken patio umbrella rib.
How To Stop Your Umbrella From Blowing Away An Engineers Guide
Your Umbrella blowing away can be a disaster for your Al Fresco meal but even worse it can become a dangerous weapon with lots of sharp pointy bits just waiting to stab people. They can also be expensive if they break!
With paying guests we are always extra careful to avoid any accidents, so before buying some new Pool / Patio Umbrellas I did some research. Wanting to stop them from blowing away is a given and the most common solution is adding more weight to the base, but as I discovered there are also a number of alternative methods, not just piling it high with weight! Check your Base Weight to Canopy size below.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links within this article, and at no extra cost, I earn a commission if you buy.
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What Kind Of Umbrella Do You Have And Why Does It Spin
As promised, we will consider the different types of patio umbrellas on the market. You need to know the specific type of umbrella that you have so that you can know what to do when issues like spinning arise.
Table patio umbrella
The first type of umbrella we will discuss is the most common type. As the name implies, this type of umbrella is designed with the ability to stand in a patio tables hole. It looks just like a regular umbrella, with the distinguishing factor being the size.
It is a large type of umbrella that you can use at home, on the balcony, and in other places where people are gathered. This umbrella often has its base so it can stand on its own without adding any pressure on the table.
Tilting umbrella
This is similar to the table patio umbrella. However, one major difference is that it comes with a pivot. Due to the design, this umbrella is flexible and can rotate around the pole. Because of the flexibility, you can change its position whenever you like and enjoy the shade from the elements. It is easy to set up and use. One similarity with the table patio umbrella is that it can stand on the ground alone too.
This type of umbrella features a big support base with enough solidity that allows it to stand on the side. Unlike the previous umbrellas discussed, this type has a pole that lies on the side of the canopy and not in the middle.
Palap Tiki-style
Sail umbrella
Commercial patio umbrella
Can A Patio Umbrella Be Repaired
This totally depends on the problem of the patio umbrella whether it can be repaired or not. If the problem is serious then you better replace a new patio umbrella instead of repairing the old one.
When the patio umbrella is too old and youre having to repair it more often than trust me, theres nothing better than replacing it with a new one. With the proper maintenance, a patio umbrella should last you 5-10 years, depending on the quality of your umbrella.
Its quite easy to repair a patio umbrella because you can purchase the damaged parts separately from the manufacturer and fix your umbrella easily in a few easy steps. This way you can increase the lifespan of your outdoor umbrella.
So, yes a patio umbrella can be repaired easily but if the problem keeps coming back then its wise to replace the umbrella with a new one.
Also Check: How To Keep Patio Furniture From Blowing Away
Smart Ways To Keep Your Patio Umbrella From Spinning
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.–
Installing an umbrella on your patio is a fantastic way to add some shade to the area and make the place look and feel cozy. More importantly, installing an umbrella also provides protection against the environmental elements.
If you like to read outdoors, adding an umbrella allows you to enjoy your time outside without having the harsh sun beating down on you incessantly. However, while there are different types of patio umbrellas to choose from, you also need to learn a thing or two about how to maintain them.
Fixing an umbrella on your patio is a relatively straightforward procedure, but the real problem occurs when you have to keep it affixed in one position. With the passage of time, the umbrella may start spinning, or may get completely uprooted.
A common issue that many people experience is that their patio umbrella starts spinning. It can be a serious distraction when you are just sitting outside and trying to enjoy your time with your loved ones or alone.
More importantly, a spinning umbrella is also dangerous because you never know when it may pop out of its socket and fall over on someone. But why do these umbrellas spin so frequently?
So, how can you ensure that your patio umbrella stops spinning and doesnt fall over? Here are just a few strategies that will do the trick.
Reducer Stop Pole Tilt When Base Tube Too Large
Ideally, you buy a base that matches the umbrella pole size but these will help if either, you are not buying both new or your umbrella is for a table.
Frequently the hole through a table is made oversize to ensure any size of umbrella pole will fit but that can mean that the pole is free to sway around. Any movement is bad news for stability so by adding a Cone / wedge where the pole passes through the table you can stop this. Just make sure you buy the correct cone to match your pole diameter.
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How Do You Fix An Outdoor Umbrella String
If youre facing umbrella string-related problems then youre more likely to replace it with a new one. Well, this is a little time-consuming but is very simple.
You would need a few tools to replace the string such as different screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, and a new umbrella string.
- To make things easier to do, remove your umbrella fabric from it.
- Take off the crank casing from the umbrella
- Remove the cotter pin with the needle-nose pliers, unscrew the nut and remove the washer and plastic cog. Keep everything carefully so that you dont lose them.
- Now take the crank handle off the umbrella shaft. All you need to apply a little force and the crank handle would come out.
- Put off the umbrella rivet thats located at the side of the shaft.
- Get to the umbrella hub so you can unscrew the plastic casing. Be careful the ribs shouldnt fall off. Now its time to remove the string thats broken.
- Feed the new string through the hole in your patio umbrella hub and tie a knot at its bottom so that it cant get pulled out.
- Time to pull the new string up to the top of the umbrella and pulley.
- Now, feed the string in the pulley and down the umbrella tube.
- Take the string out of the crank hole and take it through the crank handle, tie a knot and push the string back into the umbrella shaft then reattach the crank.
- There you go with your new umbrella!
Check The Table Rings
All of the patio umbrellas that are sold nowadays come with different kinds of plastic rings that are placed around the opening of the hole. The stock rings that are included out of the box are usually of generally poor quality, and they tend to wear out relatively quickly.
If the umbrella is kept out in the sun and the plastic rings are exposed, they are also going to wear out over time. With the passage of time, these table rings will sustain a lot of damage, and will eventually crack and lose their importance altogether.
If that happens, the umbrellas will begin to spin in one place. These rings can be readily replaced, although most people will recommend that you opt for a cone wedge instead.
If you install a cone wedge, you dont have to worry about replacing the table rings. However, if you cant find a cone wedge anywhere, you should consider replacing the table rings.
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Featured Collar Tilt Patio Umbrellas
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The collar tilt umbrella is a neat little innovation in tilting that sprouted up in the early nineties. Also considered an auto tilt, its a great example of user-friendly engineering that can really add to your table use umbrellas.
A collar tilt umbrella works basically the same way as other aluminum market umbrella. You turn the crank at the housing, and the umbrella opens. However, what makes the collar tilt different is that at the top of the crank housing, there is a ring or collar that tilts the umbrella. By turning the collar, you can tilt the umbrella. Similar to an auto-tilt, the collar tilt umbrella has infinite tilting positions. Many people prefer the collar-tilt to the auto-tilt for its smooth operation and differentiated tilting mechanism.
Summary: A great feature that brings a new twist to umbrella tilting, the collar tilt is an enjoyable function for those looking for something just a little bit different, with the same ease of use as an auto-tilt. A perfect table umbrella for long lazy days of entertaining your house guests in your patio.
How To Replace A Frayed Or Broken Cord
I am afraid this is quite a complicated process. You will need a big dose of perseverance, along with standard nose-pliers, a screwdriver set, and nylon cord of the required thickness and length. The steps:
I would strongly urge you to watch this video on How to replace an umbrella string once before you attempt this complicated process.
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Stay Cool & Enjoy Your Secure Patio Umbrella
Patio umbrellas are an excellent way to stay cool in the shade while enjoying a warm sunny day. The last thing you should worry about is your patio umbrella falling over, getting damaged, and hurting someone.
Following each of these 7 tips will greatly reduce the chance of your patio umbrella from falling over, which gives you peace of mind and helps you relax more deeply.
Also, if you are looking for an umbrella, we have a large collection of different patio umbrellas that are ideal for windy conditions.
We hope you stay cool in the shade and enjoy your secure patio umbrella for many seasons to come.
Wind Strength: How Strong Is Too Strong For Patio Umbrellas
According to the National Weather Service in the USA they will announce a Wind Advisory when sustained winds of 30 mph for one hour and/or frequent gusts of at least 45 mph are occurring or expected within the next 36 hours.
Wind speeds are not constant they are changing all the time. As explained by the MetService, if you measured the wind speed at one-second intervals, you would often get different measurements from second to second. When they discuss sustained winds it is actually the mean wind speed, which is given as the average of the wind speeds over the last ten minutes.
- Gust: a brief increase in the strength of the wind, often only lasting a few seconds.
- Lull: a brief decrease in the strength of the wind, also usually only lasting a few seconds.
Beaufort scale it relates wind speed to observable conditions from Force 0 where smoke rises vertically to Force 12 which is hurricane conditions above 73mph and causes devastation.
- Force 4: a Moderate Wind 20-28 Km/hr will cause small branches to move and lift dust or loose paper
- Force 5: a Fresh Wind 29-38 Km/hr will cause small trees to sway and flags would be fully extended
Using the Beaufort scale above I would suggest that gusts around 20-25 mph are about the maximum for sitting outside and indeed many automatic awnings are designed to be closed at that wind speed.
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Mix A Cleaning Solution
In a large bucket, mix 1/4 cup liquid laundry detergent per gallon of lukewarm water. It is best to use laundry detergent rather than dishwashing liquid. You’ll have fewer bubbles to rinse away and a good quality detergent with enzymes like Tide or Persil will work best to break apart stains.
The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa
Use A Patio Umbrella Base
Some people think that having just a cone, without a high-quality umbrella base, might help them save money and have a perfectly functional patio umbrella. This is not the case, as a rubber cone cannot replace a good umbrella base.
The main reason is that the rubber cone will definitely not withstand any amount of wind, leaving your umbrella completely vulnerable. In this case, it is recommended that you purchase a high-quality umbrella base that is suitable for the size of your umbrella. Additionally, place the cone for higher stability, but do not attempt to avoid the umbrella base as it is essential.
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How To Fix A Broken Patio Umbrella Pole
Any idea how the hazard happened? Seeing your most-loved outdoor furniture droopy and sad isnt pleasant. There are tons of things that could break the patio umbrella pole.
Image Source- www.thepatioexpert.com
Either your umbrella is too old or your patio umbrella broke due to some strong winds or during a heavy storm. You should contact the manufacturer if they will provide the broken parts. If they wont then you can buy it from them.
- You can find a UPVC pipe with the same size inside the diameter of the umbrella pole.
- Now put the pipe over the broken part of the umbrella pole and glue it up to cover the gap. You can even use a self-tapping screw on each half to make it stronger.
Why Does My Umbrella Keep Spinning
The most common reason that a patio umbrellas spins is because the hole in the table that the pole goes into is too big. This gap between the table and the shaft means that the umbrella will lean at an angle on the patio table, rubbing the table, scratching the finish off, or even making annoying noises.
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How To Repair An Umbrella Frame
Lets face it! No matter what you do, how secure you make the umbrellas, or how much you watch over them umbrellas will break eventually.
The most common area of the umbrella to break is the rib . There are several easy steps to repairing your umbrella:
Your umbrella should be as good as new!
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How To Stop Umbrella Post From Spinning Or Rocking
If your Umbrella is able to spin in its base then it is not suitably attached. In most cases, this is due to either not using the locking mechanism on your base or because the umbrella pole is much smaller than the base tube. You can easily avoid this happening by wedging pieces of wood down alongside the post. as mentioned above) They need to be tight but be warned that it is possible to crack to the base tube if you wedge them too much!
TIP: I would always leave an inch or two of wood above the top of the base tube to help me remove the wedge for when packing away.
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