Businesses of all types can benefit from installing an awning on their exterior. An awning provides an escape from the direct sun, without blocking the view. It can also block the sun from heating up the interior of your business helping to keep your energy bills lower. More and more businesses are looking into adding an awning to their business in hopes of enjoying these great benefits. Unfortunately, you can't just install it and leave it alone. If you want to continue to enjoy its great benefits and prolong the life of your awning, you want to make sure you take care of it. During the winter, your awning is especially susceptible to getting damage. Whether it is hit with ice, snow, or rain, the awning can get damaged quickly with just one storm. In an effort to protect your awning from the harsh winter weather, here are a few tips to help you as a business owner. 

Inspect Your Awning

You should routinely inspect your awning to ensure that there is not any damage already. There are certain spots that are more susceptible to damaging than others. These places include the valance and the edges. If you spot any threads unraveling, you will want to repair this right away. You also want to patch up any tears you find in the fabric. This will help prevent any further damage from being done to the awning. 

Cleaning Your Awning

Your awning can trap debris in it over time. Leaves and dirt will start to accumulate on the awning and weigh it down. This is a sure way to cause tears and holes in the fabric. In an effort to avoid this, you want to clean your awning routine. This can be done easier by removing the fabric from the frame. This will allow you to thoroughly clean it. You want to clean it with an awning cleanser and water. Using a power washer can damage the fabric, so using a bucket with water, along with a rag is better for your awning. Once it has been washed thoroughly, you will want to allow it to air dry. 

Protecting Your Awning

Your awning is not needed as much in the winter as it is in the summer. Retracting the awning and placing it in storage during the winter months will help keep it in good condition. This will alleviate snow and ice damaging the awning. If you do not want to take it down, you can also place a cover over it to help protect it. Some awnings are retractable making it easy to store when bad weather is expected. For more information, talk to an awning company like The Dize Company.