Hurricane Awning Preparation: How To Help Your Awning Weather The Storm
As hurricane season approaches, it is crucial to ensure that your awning fabric is well-maintained and prepared to withstand the challenges of a severe storm. Proper preparation protects your investment and prevents potential damage to your property. If you properly maintain your awning, it will be in a better position to withstand Florida’s tropical storms.
At Walker Awning, we understand the importance of durable and resilient outdoor structures, especially in areas prone to extreme weather. Our awnings are designed with high-quality materials to withstand strong winds and harsh conditions, ensuring longevity and reliability lifespan.
Next, we will go through the critical steps, including when to remove your awning cover and when it is safe to secure it in place. Knowing how to manage your awning effectively during a storm can prevent damage and extend the life of your investment. If you want to learn how to prepare for a hurricane, what do you need to know?
Assessing Your Awning's Condition
Before a storm hits, it is essential to inspect your awning fabric and framework thoroughly. Look for any signs of wear, such as tears or fading, and check the metal components for rust or damage. These issues can compromise the awning’s ability to withstand high winds and heavy rain, making early detection and repair critical.
Determining If You Need To Remove Your Awning Cover
The resilience of your awning during a storm often depends on the materials used in its construction. Some fabrics and frames are designed to endure high winds, while others may need to be removed to avoid damage. Assessing your awning’s material and build quality will help you decide whether it can stay in place or needs to be dismantled.
Building code mandates that awning covers be removed if wind speeds are expected to exceed 74 MPH. The reason that 74 MPH is the stated speed is that this is the minimum required for the imposed load calculations that our engineers have to meet when designing a steel or aluminum frame. Often frames are designed to exceed this load, however, the building department is only going to verify that the minimum code requirements are met. Knowing local regulations and weather forecasts is important to ensure compliance and safety.
When considering removing awning fabric, evaluate your options for safely removing and storing the cover. Have a designated storage area that is dry and secure to prevent any further damage and ensure that the material is suitable for re-installation after the weather clears.
Identifying Weak Points
Regularly examine the connection points, plates, and fasteners of your awning. These areas are crucial for the structural integrity of the awning and should be free of rust and wear. Awnings are able to flex without breaking, but the structure they are attached to remains static. Therefore, failure is most likely to occur at a welded or fastened connection. Identifying and addressing weaknesses in these connections before a storm can prevent failures that might otherwise lead to damage.
When building a frame, we pay particular attention to the welds, ensuring that the weld is consistent and uniformly applied around the connection. Proper treatment of welds is also critical to prevent corrosion and maintain the structural bond. We also consider adding additional supports and utilizing properly sized and corrosion resistant hardware to enhance stability and ensure the awning can withstand strong winds without buckling or detaching.
Evaluating Attachment Points
Another critical step in awning maintenance is inspecting or testing the strength of the screws, bolts, and other parts of your awning frame. Ensure that all hardware is tight and not corroded, as loose or weakened fittings can easily give way under the stress of a storm.
Upgrading to newer, more durable materials can provide extra security and peace of mind during severe weather. If you need help evaluating the quality of your awning or finding suitable parts to strengthen the awning itself, do not hesitate to reach out to experts.
Steps For How To Remove Your Awning Cover
When expecting severe weather, sometimes it may be a necessary step to remove an awning cover. Rather than seeing this as a burden, the ability to remove and reinstall a fabric cover can be an advantage since the frame is incredibly resilient, and reinstallation of the fabric is often fairly quick. Proper removal ensures the fabric and frame are preserved, reducing the risk of damage during the storm. But removal is not always necessary. An advantageous property of awnings is their ability to flex rather than break. If you want to learn how to remove awning fabric, there are a few key steps to follow, including:
1. Prepare the Area and Collect the Needed Tools
Clear the area around the awning to create a safe workspace. Removing obstacles and ensuring a flat, stable surface can prevent accidents and injuries during removal. This preparation is essential for a smooth and efficient operation.
Before beginning the removal process, gather all essential items. Essential items include a ladder, knife or scissors for cutting ties, and protective gloves. Ensure all tools are in good condition and suitable for the task to avoid any issues.
2. Use a Knife or Scissors to Cut the Lacing
Carefully cut any lacing or ties securing the awning cover, ensuring not to damage the fabric or the frame. This step requires precision and patience, as hasty cuts can lead to tears or other damage that might complicate re-installation.
3. Cut Gutter Flap Parallel to The Gutter (If Applicable)
If your awning includes a gutter flap, use a sharp knife to carefully cut it parallel to the gutter. This precision cut prevents the fabric from tearing beyond the intended line and ensures a clean, even edge for easier reinstallation. This is a critical part of how to change an awning cover.
4. Slide Cover Out Of The Track
Gently slide the awning cover out of its track, avoiding snagging or ripping the fabric. This step should be done slowly and carefully, ensuring the fabric remains intact and reusable after the storm.
Steps For Securing Your Awning
Properly securing your awning can help it withstand mild to moderate winds without the need for complete removal. This process involves reinforcing and tightening various components to enhance stability.
Reinforce Anchor Points
Tighten all bolts to strengthen the anchor points. These reinforcements can significantly enhance the awning's stability and resistance to wind.
Use properly sized, corrosion resistant, heavy-duty fasteners specifically designed for high loads. These specialized components can provide additional security, ensuring the awning remains attached even during strong winds.
Secure Loose Fabric
Secure any loose fabric tightly to prevent it from flapping, which can cause wear and tear during high winds.
Get The Strongest Awnings In Florida with Walker Awning
Walker Awning is renowned for providing some of the strongest awnings in Florida. Our products are designed to withstand the rigorous demands of South Florida weather. We build them with durability and resilience in mind, ensuring they perform optimally in all conditions.
Our team is passionate about helping our customers enhance their outdoor spaces while protecting their investments against harsh weather. At Walker Awning, we offer personalized service and expert advice to ensure you find the perfect awning solutions for your needs.
Walker Awning is here to help for those looking to improve their outdoor areas and safeguard against the elements. Contact us today to discuss your awning needs and receive a free quote. Our experts are ready to assist you in choosing the right awning products and services to keep your home or business safe and stylish, no matter the weather.
