Being outdoors is what camping is all about, and awnings help to make spending more time outdoors possible. These simple but helpful features greatly increase the amount of sheltered space at your campsite. Unfortunately, they can also get damaged relatively easily in a few different ways. From fire to wind to mildew, there’s no shortage of ways an awning can get damaged. We created this short guide to help you anticipate and prevent those worst problems. If your awning has severe damage, give us a call at Wisconsin RV World. The skilled technicians at our service center might be able to repair or replace your RV awning in no time so you can get back to camping. Located in Deforest, Wisconsin, we’re near Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Different Awning Constructions
One of the first things you’ll need to figure out about your awning is what type of fabric it’s made from. The two essential types of awning fabric are vinyl and acrylic, each of which are slightly different in the way they need to be maintained. Acrylic fabric is woven from a petroleum-based fiber, which is similar to tent fabric. This type of fiber doesn’t normally encourage mildew or fungus growth, but if it gets dirty and is rolled up while it’s still wet, mildew can result.
The other common type of fabric is vinyl. In reality, a vinyl awning is made out of polyester which is then coated with a vinyl (PVC) substance that helps discourage mildew growth. This type of awning can be quite durable, but if you scrub it too hard to remove any mold or dirt, you can wear out the vinyl coating. It’s best to be careful when cleaning a vinyl awning and to keep the scrubbing too a minimum. You should also make sure any detergent or anti-mildew cleaning agent you use is approved for use on vinyl fabric.
Staying Ahead of Major Problems
Some problems are common with RV awnings, but almost all of them can be prevented if you anticipate them. Considering the fact that an awning is basically a big, stretched out sheet of fabric, it’s no wonder why wind is one of the biggest threats to an awning. High winds can tear an awning off in no time at all. To prevent this, roll up your awning any time the wind kicks up. Make sure you never leave your awning unrolled overnight or when you leave RV, either. You never want to have your awning deployed when the wind is blowing and you’re not there to roll it back up.
Fire and extreme heat can also be huge problems for awnings. It’s tempting to want to pull your awning close enough to your fire that you can be covered when you’re sitting by the fire, but direct heat will melt your awning. You should also remember to avoid using the grill or space heaters under your awning for the same reason./p>
Mildew is an extremely common problem with awnings. Mildew requires water, a food source, limited light, and limited air movement in order thrive. It’s important to never put an awning away when it’s still wet and dirty. Mildew can set up in only a day or two. If mildew does set in, try to find an antifungal detergent to use and avoid scrubbing too much.
Repair & Replacement: RV Awning Servicing
You can’t prevent every problem, and there’s always a possibility that your awning will get damaged. If this happens, it’s best to turn to the professionals. Whether it’s repairing or replacing your awning, the pros will be able to handle it quickly and easily so you can spend more time doing what you love to do camping!
Here at Wisconsin RV World, we work on RVs from many different manufacturers. Our team of talented technicians can help you get your RV awning back in good shape. Located in Deforest, Wisconsin, we proudly serve the areas of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
