Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Custom Patio Covers



Be it scorching heat or harsh winters, your outdoor living space remains exposed to several weather challenges. This speeds up the decaying process and leads to untimely damage. 

Therefore, ensuring the proper maintenance of your outdoor property is as important, if not more, than your indoor property. 

The most crucial savior in this case is patio covers, which ensure that your patio is in the pink of health. But who takes care of your patio cover? How can you ensure the protector of your beautiful backyard is protected?

Well, that is where regular maintenance comes in. And we have some secret tips for you that no one tells you – keep reading to know more.

Tips To Make Your Patio Covers Long-lasting

Here is a list of tips and hacks to help you prolong the lifespan of your patio cover and, by default, your patio. 

1. Regular cleaning and maintenance

Yes, you read that right! Cleaning, just simple cleaning, is a game-changer when it comes to extending the lifespan of your patio covers. This is the most basic and essential step in maintaining the health of your patio cover. Since your patio cover collects dust, dirt, and debris, cleaning it with a mild soap and soft brush a few times per month is best. 

Avoid harsh chemicals or stiff brushes since they can cause damage and tears to your patio cover. 

2. Keep the lawn around trimmed.

Trimming the vegetation around your patio is essential for maintaining the health of your patio cover. This keeps the dust, debris, and even mold at bay. Moreover, keeping the vegetation trimmed further helps avoid friction between the growing greens and the patio cover while ensuring no pests get to invade your property. 

3. Keep an eye out for rust.

While washing and cleaning your patio cover is a must, always make sure you dry it properly. This ensures that the patio cover does not rust and that the parts work perfectly. 

However, maintaining this can become extremely difficult during monsoons and humid weather. So, it is best to contact your local custom patio cover company to learn how to take care of your patio cover under such circumstances. 

4. Using proper lubrication

Lubricating with silicone-based products can extend the lifespan of your patio cover. This helps the rollers, hinges, and other parts operate seamlessly without getting stuck. In addition, silicone-based lubricants offer protection against harsh weather conditions, unlike petroleum-based lubricants, which attract dirt, leading to clogs and eventually damage. 

5. UV protection

The summer sun can be extremely unforgiving. Therefore, your patio cover requires additional TLC for its hard work under the bright sun. 

You can use a UV-resistant cover to protect it from harmful UV rays. These covers protect your patio cover and your patio from damage caused by prolonged sun exposure. Before applying the cover, clean the patio and dry it properly to let the adhesive stick better. 

6. Keep loose components protected.

Loose components can compromise the health and stability of your patio cover. To ensure there is none, regularly inspect the bolts and screws.

If you find any part in a compromised situation, contact your local trusted patio cover installation company immediately. 

7. Take extra care during changing seasons.

Different weather conditions pose different threats to your patio cover. That is why taking special care of your patio during the changing seasons is essential. 

You can start by observing early signs of weather damage. Clean up the debris to avoid pooling during monsoons and snow to avoid further damage. This will undoubtedly improve the quality of your patio cover. 

8. Professional maintenance

This is the final step to ensuring a healthy patio cover. Schedule patio maintenance every year or more frequently as needed. Your service provider for patio covers will ensure your outdoor property complies with the building safety laws and make you aware of potential damages, as well as other tips and tricks to keep your patio cover protected. 

Bonus Tips That Can Keep Your Patio Cover Looking Great for Years

A little more care and maintenance of your patio covers will do no harm! After all, who doesn’t want their patio covers to stay like new even after decades of installing them? So, here are some more proactive measures that you can try to increase the lifespan of your patio cover!

• Install a Proper Drainage System: When you see standing water near your patio cover, especially during the rainy season, you’ll need to take action quickly. Or else, they can lead to rust, warping, or even mold! To prevent this, you can add a gutter or downspout system to ensure water is always flowing away from the cover.
• Seasonal Protective Covers: Whenever there’s too much heat outside, it’s raining heavily, or there are storms, you can cover up the patio cover with a heavy-duty protective tarp or any other shield. This way, you can protect the patio cover from damage and debris.
• No Overloading the Structure: We get it – having lights, plants, and other decorative stuff hanging from the patio cover can look really beautiful! But if you overload the structure, it can strain the frame over time and damage the patio cover!
• Check for Pests: You might see some small insects, birds, or other pests trying to make a nest or even damage some parts of your patio cover. So, you need to check the corners, joints, and other hidden areas for pests regularly.
• Avoid Standing or Walking on the Cover: Your patio cover might not be designed to bear human weight. So, if you start climbing, standing, or walking on it, it can bend, crack, or get damaged.

What Type of Patio Cover Material Is The Easiest To Maintain?

You can avoid a lot of maintenance hassle if you choose the right material for your patio cover in the first place. While wood can offer a warm and natural look, it will need frequent sealing, pest prevention, and painting. 

If you choose vinyl, it’ll require less maintenance, but it will have a chance of fading or cracking over time due to Sacramento Valley’s intense heat. That’s why many homeowners prefer installing aluminum patio covers. The reasons are simple –

• They won’t warp, fade, or crack easily 
• You’ll just have to clean it occasionally 
• They’ll be resistant to pests, rust, and corrosion 
• They won’t get damaged easily in the heat
• You can also choose an insulated aluminum patio cover for extra protection.

If you need help and more information, you can contact a professional company that deals with patio covers.

How to Clean Different Patio Cover Materials for Long-Lasting Results?

When your patio cover is unique and custom-made, you would want to be extra careful about cleaning it as part of your maintenance routine. So, here are some ways you can clean different types of patio cover materials!

• Aluminum: You can use mild soap and water to wash the cover with a soft sponge. Then, you’ll have to rinse it properly and dry it to prevent water spots.
• Vinyl: For this type of cover, you will need to mix vinegar and water to scrub the surface and remove dirt and other stubborn stains.
• Steel: You can use soapy water for cleaning and then dry it right away to avoid rust. And you should also opt for doing an annual rust-resistant coating on the cover for extra protection.
• Wood: Using a wood cleaner to clean this type of patio cover can be your best option. Also, you can make sure to avoid using pressure while washing! You’ll also need to apply a protective sealant every year to maintain its look!
• Fabric Covers: If you’re using a fabric cover, you will need to remove it and wash it in a washing machine. You can also scrub it manually using your fabric-safe detergent!