Awning Cleaning ..................... Beware

[Richjan100]

Hi, I hope I can save you from my experience............... dont do it
October 2012 I sent a fully serviceable if a little stained Isabella Penta for cleaning (the service was advertised as a gentle process)
today I received a tatty damaged and probably unservicable and leaky awning .... in places holed or threadbare
take a look Here
It was lightly soiled ............
it was £129.99 for clean, reproofing, and Anti-mosquito impregnation
It seemed the right thing to do and good value to ...... and from a reputable awning retailer (no names just yet as they need time to offer a resolution)

the awning is being collected 14th Jan for inspection and analysis

Think very carefully about having your awning cleaned
your thoughts, advice and comments are most welcome

 

[otherclive]

I think you have strong grounds for a new awning and if they don't offer satisfactory redress then be firm and inform them that you will pursue your claim via the Small Claims Court. Do you have evidence of the condition of the awning prior to cleaning? How old was it? You may have to settle for something less than its total replacement given you have had beneficial use, but I would go for a replacemnt of equivalent quality etc. Bear in mind the company can source a new one at far less cost than you can so that might be better than settling for cash. Good luck.

 

[Gybe]

The photo's show what appear to be a lot of UV, folding and wear damage. Although not always evident before cleaning even the gentlest of washes and chemical treatments will end up with day to day wear and UV damage showing up.
How old is the Awning? If fairly new then you probably have a reasonable case for some resonable amount of compensation. 4 or 5 years old could make a big difference being fair to whoever took on the cleaning job.

 

[ValA.]

Do you have any 'before' photographs? They would be very useful in fighting your case. I mean close ups, not long distance ones. It might be worth anyone considering having their awning clean by one of the several companies offering this, to take a whole series of photographs to show the condition of the awning before the clean, and then they can be directly compared with the after photographs.
I must confess that we washed our old awning (so old it would have been no loss to us if anything happened) with a power washer, and the results were fantastic with all the stains removed. Once reproofed the awning was (almost) as good as new, just a little sun-bleached - which we knew would be a problem.

 

[kennygee]

Are you positive that was the same awning you sent in to get cleaned

 

[otherclive]

What is the outcome of the companies analysis. Following ValA point after washing you'd expect it to be visually different but I wouldn't expect to see so many loosened threads.

 

[Richjan100]

I'm still awaiting a response ........
hope to hear by the end of the week.
I'm sure its the same awning however the coloured fibres didn't come from our awning.
I guess its been put in a machine with other materials.

 

[Dustydog]

Does anyone know exactly what the cleaning process entails?

It must be a massive washing machine or do they use a power washer or the like?

The pics look like something has continuously rubbed the same points for far too long.

Let us know what happens and how old the awning is.

 

[otherclive]

One of the companies washing awnings has an established reputation for washing sails, and uses enormous washing machines.

 

[crazyguider]

are you sure they sent back the right awning? It looks a complete mess. We thought about sending ours away, but maybe not, now. I really hope you get this resolved satisfactorally, as this is quite clearly a dreadful way to treat your property. As said previously, I should think you'd be able to claim a new awning for that. Best of luck.

 

[Partickpebbles]

Thanks for the heads up, I was thinking of sending ours off, may not bother now!

Be interesting to see the response. Good luck.

 

[Richjan100]

The awning has been returned and I'm now waiting for the results of their analysis...................
hope it wont take too long though

 

[joeby]

i had mud stains on mine , as i have enough parking for 10 cars and the caravan , i just erected it roughly on the van , and a bit of soapy water and small brush , hosed down , left to dry in the sun and reproofed it looked great

 

[otherclive]

What reproofer did you use?