How to Keep a Patio Umbrella From Falling Over

Time with the patio umbrella is all about fun and relaxation outdoors. You can read a book, grill some meat, or have some wholesome conversations with your friends or relatives
You can also take a nap, or just put on your glasses and watch the scenery as you chill comfortably under the umbrella's shade.

We all want the best experience while relaxing, so a falling or rotating offset umbrella or through-table patio umbrella would be a bad incident to occur. If you don't know how to keep patio umbrella from spinning, tilting, or falling, you may risk damaging the umbrella and potentially hurting someone if they are in the way.

Keeping a patio umbrella from falling can be achieved with simple methods. Here are some tips and tricks on how to keep a patio umbrella from falling. 

More...

#1. Base

The base is arguably the most important item when keeping a patio umbrella from falling. The inappropriate weight base is the main reason the patio umbrella falls off.

A base does 2 things: lowering the overall system's center of mass so that it's harder to be tilted and making the umbrella less likely to be moved around easily.

When looking for the right base for a specific patio umbrella, you should pick one based on the umbrella’s size. the materials don’t matter much, you can get a metal or wooden umbrella base if you desire.

Here are some recommendations regarding the umbrella’s diameter and the base’s weight.

For through-table patio umbrella

  • If the patio umbrella’s diameter is smaller or equal to 6 feet, get a base with a minimal weight from 25 to 40 pounds.
  • If the patio umbrella’s diameter is between 6 and 7.5 feet, get a base with a minimal weight from 30 to 40 pounds.
  • If the patio umbrella’s diameter is bigger than 7.5 feet, get a base with a minimal weight from 50 to 46 pounds.

You may have noticed that offset umbrellas generally need heavier bases than through-table umbrellas since offset umbrellas tilt and rotate much easier than through-table ones.

The figures above are ideal if your place has small to mild winds. If you live in a windy place, consider opting for more weight than recommended.

Some stock bases don’t have sufficient weight to hold the patio umbrellas in place when there are moderate to strong winds. So, you will need additional weight at the base to stop the umbrella from falling over.

There are many patio umbrella weights on the market, which can be used for various patio umbrellas.

Alternatively, sandbags for umbrella base are also favored. although it won’t look as pretty, it is no doubt a way cheaper option compared to weights for a particular weight.

#2. Stand

A stand holds a patio umbrella wood pole or metal pole into the base, and it has to hold tightly. Otherwise, the pole will be easy to wiggle around when there are winds, causing instability.
For through-table patio umbrellas, use an umbrella clamp for table to further hold the pole in place.

How to first tell if your stand is secure enough? Try to pull up on the pole. If it isn’t released from the stand, then you are good. The more secure your stand is, the less chance the umbrella has to move around.

Read more:  5 Best Outdoor Laser Lights Reviews 2022 (Buyer’s Guide)

#3. Stake

Stake, or a patio umbrella stabilizer, can be driven into the ground with a soft surface like grass or sand. Then you can put your patio umbrella into these stakes . A beach patio umbrella, for example, uses a patio umbrella anchor and a patio umbrella clamp to secure the umbrella on the sand.
So how to keep beach umbrella from blowing away? Make sure to get a high-quality anchor and secure the umbrella correctly in place.

For hard surfaces, you can opt for a patio umbrella holder in ground. But keep in mind that for hard surfaces, the holder is permanent, so you can only put your umbrellas at that one spot.

The patio umbrella in ground holder is ideal for a pool umbrella in water where it can only be permanent there.

#4. Close It When You Are Not Using

If you are not using the patio umbrella, it should be closed, tied, and stored somewhere safe. There is no reason to keep it open when it isn’t currently doing its job. For the stand, when the umbrella isn’t being used, use the patio umbrella stand cover to protect it from dust, dirt, or moisture if you are using a wooden stand.

For through-table patio umbrellas, you should also protect the hole on the table from dust and dirt using a patio table umbrella hole plug. It is a hard habit to keep up, so if you are not fond of closing the umbrella when you are not using it, at least do it when it's stormy or raining heavily outside.

#5. Vents

The patio umbrella's canopy needs proper ventilation so that the air can escape through the top. If there is no vent, the full force of the air will affect the umbrella.

Most patio umbrellas feature a design with a single vent for heat and wind ventilation. But for the best ventilation effect on an umbrella, you should try to get patio umbrellas with dual wind vents. Dual wind vents will create additional air flows to increase the efficiency of air ventilation and prevent the umbrella from falling off.

Read more:  Top 6 Best Home Generators in 2022| Reviews and Buying Guide

#6. The Frame

While the frame won't help prevent a patio umbrella from falling over, it is crucial to get a durable frame so that it can survive the falls. A wooden or metal patio umbrella is what people tend to choose when picking patio umbrellas. People mostly choose aluminum patio umbrellas since the aluminum frame strikes a good balance between affordability and durability. Aluminum is very lightweight and easily shaped during the manufacturing process.

Aluminum can also resist corrosion quite well and does not rust. But in the process of resisting corrosion, it oxidizes and causes the surface to change color over time. Wood frames can aesthetically match with other wood items at the place. But, it is the least durable of the 3 options. If wind is a concern in your place, you shouldn't pick the wooden frame option since it snaps easier than the other 2 materials.

Fiberglass is the best option if you want the most durable frame material for your umbrellas. It is flexible and can withstand strong winds well. However it is quite pricey.

If you don't know how to fix patio umbrella tilt angle, with a tilting umbrella, locate the ring or collar near the top of the umbrella frame. After tiling the umbrella, release the spring button to lock the position. This button can be found right below the ring.

Via You Tube: How to Keep Your Umbrella from Falling Over in the Wind

Conclusion

By now, you should know well how to keep a patio umbrella from taking over. Just pay attention to those above factors when choosing or securing the umbrella and you are good to go.
Thanks for reading.

Leave a Comment