Patio umbrellas are a beautiful sight in any backyard, sandy beaches, or hotel establishment. While they offer a shield from the elements, especially sunlight, they are not immune to the deadly force of the wind.
It is not uncommon to see them stooped over, blown off or blown under into inverted umbrella.
So, how do you secure your patio in an upright position to stubbornly defy the wind? Here is a guide.
DIY solutions to stop your patio umbrella from falling over
Your first consolation should come from the idea that most of these methods are mostly DIY. This translates to fewer labor costs if at all there can are any.
The remedies range from as simple as tying ribbons to anchor the pole of your patio to more complex like adjusting the base of your patio.
Whatever method you choose, the result is a stable umbrella.
1. Stick the umbrella in a bucket filled with rocks
If you are in an area of a relatively less mighty wind, the measures you can take are less drastic.
Gentle wind may not necessarily blow over your umbrella. Solve this problem by filling a bucket filled with stones (for aesthetic purpose use precious stones) the plugging in your patio pole.
This should give it relative stability against the elements. You can still use this trick to stabilize a long patio heater that keeps on toppling every now and then.
2. Using tension from multiple decorative ribbons
Another means of securing your umbrella is by stabilizing using decorative ribbons.
The tension from different ribbons should keep your patio upright. This comes with a disclaimer.
Children are more likely to trip over the ribbons or wreck it. It is, therefore recommended for a more adult experience.
3. Closing the umbrella during heavy wind or when in disuse
Closing your umbrella when not in use reduces the potential of being blown over by the wind.
The reduced surface area means the wind won’t exert much force onto the umbrella as it has less area to act upon.
The result? An umbrella that ensures the gusty winds and stays upright to be used another day.
You might also want to check this: How To Light A Patio Heater Manually
4. Choosing the right patio umbrella from the word go
By now, you have realized that anchoring your patio is key to its stability. However, the materials used on the umbrella play a significant role.
Eucalyptus is generally used for wooden frames of patios. While it gives an excellent outward look, it is relatively light.
Metallic frames like aluminum offer a stronger, lighter alternative before stabilizing your patio, it is crucial to know the relative weight and use a dependable variable stabilizing influence.
Granite and cement offer solid, strong bases mixed with class. They correctly anchor your umbrella as a result of their heavyweight.
There is the additional advantage of being fixed and immovable as opposed to other options. While a sand base and a planter will get the job done, they rob you the aesthetic appeal associated with the luxury of the patio.
Matching the size of the umbrella to the anchoring weight
There is the basic need to match up the base’s weight with the umbrella for an effective anchoring.
Experts established a guideline of how much weight corresponds to the height of your patio.
There is a consensus that the weight of above 45 kg can support any size of the umbrella. However, here are some of the established base weights.
- Between 1.82m and 2.3m, use a base of 16 kg
- Between 2.3m and 2.8m, use a base between 18 kg and 25 kg
- Between 2.8m & 3.35m, a base between 30 kg & 35 kg.
With these figures in mind, you should tailor your base accordingly dictated by your umbrella size.
There you have it, the specific remedies to your umbrella problem. If you seek stronger patio, then utilizing cement blocks over 100Kg would do it.