Should the awning leak?

[LouisePretty]

Forgive my ignorance. Just spent a lovely week in the Forest of Dean. Lots of walks in muddy forest so took our brand new porch awning to store mud outside the van! We have had quite a lot of rain at night and rain started coming in through the zips, then the seams and eventully today was just dripping through the roof. We were on gravel so luckily nothing was getting muddier. Is this normal or should an awning be as waterproof as a tent? It was pegged out nice and taught and there were no puddles on roof. When we took it down it was absolutely saturated and I am now wondering how I will get it dry but thats another problem!

 

[Guest]

You are asking an openended question as the answer will depend on many factors. Make of awning, type of material used, set up on site and last but by no means least, the amount of rainfall. You mention it was heavy so it is possible the canvas became overloaded and sodden and then started to leak.

People sometimes think an expensive awning will be more waterproof than a cheapie and usually yes, but not always so. A cheap awning with a plastic roof may keep more water out than an expensive heavy canvas model. Sometimes if you touch the inside of the awning it will act as a soak point and start to leak there. So sorry, no obvious answer.

As for drying it, the easiest way is to re-rect it on a site (when it is dry) and allow it to dry itself naturally. Alternatively hang it, if you can, in the garage or on the back garden.

 

[Guest]

You are asking an openended question as the answer will depend on many factors. Make of awning, type of material used, set up on site and last but by no means least, the amount of rainfall. You mention it was heavy so it is possible the canvas became overloaded and sodden and then started to leak.

People sometimes think an expensive awning will be more waterproof than a cheapie and usually yes, but not always so. A cheap awning with a plastic roof may keep more water out than an expensive heavy canvas model. Sometimes if you touch the inside of the awning it will act as a soak point and start to leak there. So sorry, no obvious answer.

As for drying it, the easiest way is to re-rect it on a site (when it is dry) and allow it to dry itself naturally. Alternatively hang it, if you can, in the garage or on the back garden.

Sorry, rephrase 'when it is dry' to when it has stopped raining.

 

[LouisePretty]

Thanks for reply. I forgot to say the awning in question is a Apache Monte Carlo porch awning. Not sure where this stands in terms of quality versus other brands. The material looks like polycotton as the whole awning only weight 18kg including poles and I think canvas would be heavier. In August we spent 2 weeks in Cornwall in a tent and it rained every day and we had no water coming in at all. Do awnings have a hydrostatic head measurement or is that just tents? As you may have guessed we are new to caravanning!

 

[Peter_374382745]

A brand new awning will often leak at first in heavy rain but as the weave tightens up after drying ,then it will seal itself. Maybe it wont fully be dry inside until several cycles...Most manufactures should say this in their instructions but often dont.

 

[Happy-Lappy]

Thanks for reply. I forgot to say the awning in question is a Apache Monte Carlo porch awning. Not sure where this stands in terms of quality versus other brands. The material looks like polycotton as the whole awning only weight 18kg including poles and I think canvas would be heavier. In August we spent 2 weeks in Cornwall in a tent and it rained every day and we had no water coming in at all. Do awnings have a hydrostatic head measurement or is that just tents? As you may have guessed we are new to caravanning!

Louise,

Awnings are very similar to Tents, so yes they are water tested and given a Hydrostatic head measurment. As already mentioned the awning needs to be weathered first and as you have stated this is a brand new awning, this could be the cause of the leaks under heavy rainfall, only time will tell,

best regards, Martin

 

[Guest]

Hydrostatic head tests are a waste of time! A 1 metre head test is no comparison to canvas out in the open 24 hours a day!

Some of the water may be condensation on the inside.

Quality tents/awning have zips protected by flaps or front overhangs! If zips are a problem paint them with Nikwax waterproofer!

 

[Jimbob1]

Hi Louise,

So sorry to hear you've had problems with your awning but I feel that both Peter and Euro ,scotch lad as well have come up with some very good solutions and idea's so yes I reckon the awning material will tighten up and you shouldn't have any more problms if you are not happy the do get on to the manufacturers.Good Luck and Happy Caravanning.Jim