Your tarp’s lifespan depends on its use and how you care for it. If you wish to preserve its quality over time and use it for several years, you must care for it and store it properly. But before you learn how to maintain your vinyl tarp, it’s advisable to understand your tarp manufacturing process to care for it appropriately.
Understanding how tarpaulins are constructed will significantly improve your understanding of how to care for them. Most tarps are constructed from synthetic fibres that have been double-coated with a specific PVC coating. The coating comprises colloidal PVC particles that have been melted and then applied using a blade coating application method. This PVC covering makes these tarpaulins resistant to water, wind, corrosion, mildew, and sunlight exposure. Tarpaulins should never be washed or kept in strongly acidic solutions to protect the coating.
With that said, let’s explore ways to take care of your tarp to extend its lifespan.
- Avoid overworking or overusing your tarpaulin.
Heavy-duty tarps are extremely versatile. You can use them for various tasks in your business and around the house. The adaptability of tarps can be a double-edged sword, as you may occasionally overwork or misuse them.
Maintaining your vinyl tarp requires not misusing them. If possible, use the best available tarp for the task at hand. If you don’t have a tarp that is suitable for the task and you use it frequently, it may be time to get a new, heavy-duty tarp for that reason.
Similarly, if you notice that one or two tarps are performing the same tasks again and again, you may choose to purchase additional tarps to distribute their work as evenly as possible. Using many tarps throughout time is preferable to using a single tarp for an extended period.
- Clean the tarp regularly.
If you are a business owner, it’s more likely that you spend much time cleaning your party tents as well as your commercial inflatables. But how frequently are the tarps themselves clean?
Tarps require regular cleaning, especially if visible dirt and grime can be seen on them, even if your clients do not interact with them frequently. This is a simple procedure that greatly increases the durability of your tarps.
To clean heavy-duty tarps, no special equipment is required. Dish detergent without bleach and warm water will suffice (with ample rinsing). They may require scrubbing with a soft thistle brush. You should not use bleach to clean tarps. Similar to commercial inflatables, bleach should only be used when attempting to eliminate mould and mildew. Moreover, be careful to fully dry your tarps.
- Repair rips and tears
After the tarp has been washed and dried, thoroughly inspect it for tears. A canvas repair tape or patch kit can be used to repair a canvas tarp. A vinyl repair kit restores vinyl tarps. There are mesh tarp repair kits and poly repair tape available if you have a mesh or poly tarp. Vinyl cement is also excellent for repairing numerous varieties of tarps. Allow the repair proper time to cure. After you have mended a water-resistant canvas tarp, ensure that the repair is waterproofed so that water doesn’t get its way inside.
- Remove and replace torn or broken grommets
Are there no grommets on the tarp? Get a grommet kit to help you repair them. You may use metal snips to remove the old grommet. Poly, canvas, vinyl, or mesh repair tape can be used to mend a frayed hole and attach a new grommet.
Grommet kits can be used on mesh, canvas, poly, vinyl, and PVC tarps. They’re simple to use too. Make a hole with the hole cutter. Place the grommet on top of the wooden block and insert the grommet’s bottom into the holder. Align the top of the grommet with the bottom of the tool. Use a hammer to join the two sides.
- Store it properly when not in use.
Once the vinyl tarp has been repaired, fold it in half along its length. Fold it till a tight square is formed. Place it in a plastic storage container that mice cannot find their way through. If the tarp is placed in a bag or left open, mice may use it as nesting material. You will end up with big, difficult-to-repair holes. A plastic container protects the tarp from rodent damage.
