How To Fix A Tear Or Hole In Your Awning

Awnings are an important part of any home or business outlet and should be maintained in good condition to keep your property looking its best. They improve your property’s curb appeal and primarily protect your property from the beating weather and unpredictable climate, which is why they're not immune to wear and tear. 

So, if you notice a tear or hole in your awning, don't panic - there's a way to fix it. In this article, we'll show you how to fix a tear or hole in your awning safely and quickly and also tip you on when is the best time to get a replacement awning. 

Whether you require a new awning or want to patch up an old one, read on!

Can you fix a torn awning by yourself?

You can fix minor holes and tears on your awning by following a few simple measures and using repair tools that are widely available in hardware local hardware stores, like fabric patches and awning repair tapes.

If the tear or hole is wider than 3 feet (91 cm), you will likely need an awning replacement by professionals. You can use clear repair tape or adhesives for minor repairs, while larger ones require patching. 

However, before beginning any repair, clean your awning thoroughly. Soiled awning materials do not attach firmly to repair tapes or receive the patches well. Identify the extent of the damage and find patches and repair materials suitable for your awning. 

Sometimes, these repairs will only last for a while, but they should hold until regular maintenance is required (which may not be necessary with proper care and storage). If you're attempting to fix a torn or damaged awning, here's what you need to know.

Using awning repair tapes

Awning repair tapes and adhesives come in several different colours, so you can choose the one that best matches the colour of your awning. Once you have selected a tape, peel off its backing paper and place it over the area that needs repairs. 

Ensure the tape is securely attached to the fabric of your awning and the support structure below it. Then use scissors or a cutter to make cuts along the length of the tape, making sure not to cut into any wiring or other delicate areas. Once all cuts have been made, remove the excess tape from around the edges by pressing down firmly with clean fingers.

Patching a tear or hole with awning fabric

Strong winds and heavy downpours can cause tears in the awning fabric. This is the most common issue and is relatively simple to resolve when detected early. 

The goal is to keep the hole as minuscule as possible and to prevent further material breakdown. The first step is to measure the tear or the hole and add six inches on all sides. Extra inches may be needed for particularly large holes in the fabric, but six inches is a good starting point for most holes we see.

With the measurements in hand, head to your local craft or fabric store and buy some heavy-duty external-use fabric. Find a colour and pattern as close to your current awnings as possible.

Once you've found the suitable fabric, sew the patch on the undersurface. Start by stitching around the rectangle's edges, leaving enough space on all sides for the tear. After you've securely attached the rectangle patch to the awning, delicately stitch the edges of the tear to the newly attached fabric. 

These must be tightly attached so that no wind can get underneath the seam and cause flapping, which can quickly cause the entire patch to blow out.

Patching a tear or hole with awning PVC or acrylic material

This damage is less common than fabric tears but takes longer to repair. If the hole in the awning is less than eight inches, you may be able to patch it; however, anything more extensive than that will almost certainly require an awning replacement. 

The first step is to find suitable patching material. Once you've found a proper patch, stretch the patch over the hole or tear and apply non-water-soluble glue. After applying the glue, position the entire unit between two sheets of plywood firmly clamped together for twenty-four to forty-eight hours to allow the glue to dry.

When clamping the material between the pieces of wood, take special care to ensure that no excess glue seeps through the seams and onto the wood. If this occurs, removing the wooden supports will be challenging. 

Once the glue has dried, and the supports have been removed, coat the area with a waterproof sealant.

When to get a replacement awning?