Patio umbrellas are an important part of any patio setup. Enjoying a relaxing afternoon outdoors in your backyard, whether beside the pool or the BBQ is always a great time.
However, within a short period of time, the sun can take a real toll on you. For most people, sitting in the sun for hours on end is not comfortable, which is where the patio umbrella comes into play.
Although most patio umbrellas are built to last for quite some time, they aren’t 100% perfect. Patio umbrellas can suffer from broken ribs, torn fabric, ripped strings, broken cranks, and more.
Today, we’re here to tackle all of the biggest issues that your patio umbrella might be faced with. How to fix a patio umbrella is the main topic of the day, and we’ll take a look at the various components on your patio umbrella which might need fixing.
How to Fix Broken Patio Umbrella Ribs
If your patio umbrella has broken ribs, instead of buying a new one, those ribs can be replaced. You will likely need some replacement ribs, pliers, screwdriver, and epoxy adhesive, sandpaper, clamps, and possibly some duct tape.
First, inspect the damage to see the extent of it, and then identify which ribs are broken or damaged. If the damage is only minor, repairs may be suitable, but if damage is major, you will likely need to replace the ribs. To replace ribs, use a screwdriver to remove any screws holding the broken ribs in place.
You may need needle nose pliers to remove the ribs if they are held in place by pins. Make sure that your replacement ribs are the same size and type as the old ones. Simply replace the old ribs with the new ones and then screw them back into place.
If the damage is only minor, however, you may be able to perform some repairs using an appropriate epoxy adhesive, to adhere the broken pieces together.
You will then need to use clamps until the adhesive dries. If the damage is quite major, but you don’t want to replace the components, using a combination of high quality adhesive along with duct tape may be an option. However, duct tape definitely won’t add to the aesthetic appeal of your patio umbrella.
How to Sew a Patio Umbrella
It may be the case that the fabric on the patio umbrella has ripped, in which case you’ll need to sew it back together. As long as you have a sewing machine, some additional fabric, matching thread, scissors, pins, and measuring tape, you should be just fine. You may also need to replace the fabric as a whole.
First, measure the overall diameter of the patio umbrella frame to see what size of canopy you need, which will determine the amount of fabric you need to purchase. You should always cut the fabric to the appropriate shape, and then hem the edges so that they do not fray and come apart.
You’ll then want to lay the fabric flat, with the right side facing down, and then use chalk or pencil to mark the locations where the canopy will be attached to the umbrella frame. These are the marks that will guide you when you are sewing the fabric to the frame.
With the fabric right side down, is your sewing machine to start sewing along the marks you made. Best is if you use a straight stitch along with a reinforced seam, particularly at the beginning.
Depending on the specific patio umbrella you have, you may need to attach grommets for additional support. Once everything has been sewn and completed, you can then take the fabric canopy and slide it carefully onto the umbrella frame, making sure that the grommets are aligned with the ribs of the umbrella.
If there’s just a small rip in the umbrella fabric, you can always just use a suitable fabric patch and sew it into place, just like you would repair a piece of clothing.
How to Fix a Patio Umbrella String
If the string or cord on your patio umbrella is broken, it will need to be replaced. To do this, you’ll need a replacement string or cord, a screwdriver, pliers, scissors, and possibly a lighter or source of open flame.
First, examine the umbrella to see where the old cord or string is attached, which is usually at the top and bottom of the umbrella where the string connects to both of the pulleys. You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the fasteners that hold the string in place.
While exercising caution, gently pull up the old cord out of the frame of the umbrella, making sure to completely untangle it from all components. Be sure to take note of exactly how the cord was threaded, or else you might not know how to replace it.
Measure how long the old cord is and then cut the new cord to the same length. If you don’t want the ends of the cord to fray, using an open flame to melt them together is recommended.
You can now thread the new cord through the bottom pulley just like the old cord was, follow the path the old chord took, and then thread it through the upper pulley.
Using your screwdriver or a knot as a fastener, secure the new core to the umbrella in the same way that the old one was secured. You can now test the umbrella to see that the cord functions properly.
Here’s a convenient video on how to replace an umbrella string.
How to Fix a Bent Patio Umbrella Pole
How to fix a leaning patio umbrella is the next issue we will tackle. A bent patio umbrella pole certainly does not look very nice. If the damage is very severe, you may require a replacement pole, but if the bend is only mild, a pipe or conduit bender may suffice. You’ll also need a vice or clamps, a rubber mallet, a pipe cutter, sandpaper, and possibly epoxy adhesive and paint.
First, examine the pole to see just how bad the damage is. If the bend is only minor and doesn’t affect the functionality of the umbrella, you could leave it as is, but if this damage is significant, you may need to replace or at the very least repair the pole.
Always remove the umbrella canopy before performing any sort of repairs. You’ll need to loosen the screws and fasteners that hold the canopy. If you are faced with a minor bend, using a conduit or pipe bender is likely enough.
Put the bent section of the umbrella pole between the jaws of the conduit bender and apply pressure until it is straight, but be sure to not to over-correct, or else you may cause additional damage. If the pole is now straight, you can reattach it the same way you detached it.
If the damage is very severe however, you’ll just need to remove the old pole and replace it with a new one. Make sure that the pole is of the right size and variety for the umbrella in question.
How to Fix a Patio Umbrella Crank
The patio umbrella crank is required to open and close a patio umbrella. Therefore, this section could also be labeled as how to fix a patio umbrella that won’t close or how to fix a patio umbrella that won’t open. This is because it all has to do with the crank.
You may be able to make repairs using a lubricating oil, an Allen wrench, a screwdriver, and pliers. However, if the damage is severe, you’ll likely need a replacement crank handle.
Before you try to fix anything, determine the cause of the issue. Is the crank handle stripped or broken? Inspect it thoroughly to identify the problem.
If the handle itself is stripped or broken, you’ll need to remove it, which is done by unscrewing or unclipping it from the crank mechanism. You may have to use a screwdriver or pliers for this.
Now take a look at the crank mechanism to see if there are any damaged or bent parts. If you notice any issues at all, you’ll need to replace parts or repair them. However, if the crank just isn’t moving easily and is very stiff, lubricating it may be more than enough.
If the problem is the crank handle itself, your only real option is to replace it with a new one. Make sure that the new handle is of the appropriate build for your patio umbrella, and then align it with the crank mechanism, and easier fasteners or screws to secure it in place.
Here’s a great video demonstrating how to repair a broken umbrella crank.
How to Clean or Replace the Frame
Cleaning a patio umbrella is easily done using the appropriate cleaners, and it should work perfectly fine as long as the cleaner in question is designed for the material which you are cleaning. Here is a good video on how to clean a patio umbrella.
However, there are some cases where you might also need to completely replace the frame.
If this is the case, you’ll need to start by removing the patio umbrella frame from the canopy. You’ll need to unclip or unscrew the frame from the ribs of the canopy. You can then inspect the canopy to see if it’s still in good condition.
Measure the length of the frame to see what kind of replacement frame you need, and then assemble the replacement frame as needed, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If there are any moving parts in the new frame, apply a bit of lubricating oil. If you are still using the same old canopy, reattach it to the new frame in the same way that you detached it from the old frame.
You can then take the bottom of the frame and put it inside of the umbrella base, and secure it tightly according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
How to Fix a Faded Patio Umbrella
To fix a patio umbrella where the color has faded, mix together some fabric cleaner, dish soap, and water in a bucket. Open up the umbrella and then use a sponge or soft brush to scrub the faded areas with the solution you just mixed. You can then rinse with the garden hose to remove all residue.
Once clean, you can then use some kind of proper fabric spray paint or fabric dye to apply more color to the faded areas. Make sure to follow all instructions as provided by the manufacturer no matter what kind of product you are using.
Once the first coat has been applied, inspect fabric to see if there are any uneven areas or areas that still appear faded. If necessary, apply a second layer. To add further protection, you can always add a layer of a UV resistant spray to protect the umbrella from fading in the future.
Here is a video on updating a faded patio umbrella.
Tips for Preventing Future Damage
Here are some valuable tips that you can follow to prevent any damage from occurring to your patio umbrella.
- The best way to prevent damage from occurring is to choose a high-quality umbrella in the first place.
- Make sure that the base of the umbrella is heavy and secure, so that it can’t move around. If needed, you may want to add some extra weight.
- Always close the umbrella when it is not in use, so it won’t get caught in the wind. On that note, try to avoid placing it in very windy areas.
- Speaking of the wind, always tilt the umbrella away from the wind.
- Also, do everything you can to keep it clean and dry, because dirt and mold can build up over time and completely ruin the fabric.
- During the offseason, the best way to protect the umbrella is to put it indoors. If it is during the season and you just want to add some protection, using an umbrella cover can help as well.
Now that we have tackled all of the biggest issues that your patio umbrella might be faced with, you should know exactly how to repair any of the damaged or broken components.
