Use A Pool Noodle To Get The Most Out Of Your Patio Canopy

Fabric canopies offer great protection from the elements when you're relaxing outside. Having a reliable and sturdy one is essential for protecting yourself, your family, and your guests. Whether it's rain or wind, you need to ensure that your canopy remains dry and secure to prevent any damage. Luckily, there's a simple pool noodle hack that works great to keep your canopy from collapsing from the elements. Placing one in the corners of your canopy will prevent the problem of pooling and sagging by fortifying your canopy's roof. It's a simple and cost-effective fix for securing your outdoor shelter. 

Why try this hack? When rainwater collects on the canopy's surface, it can create a sag, causing structural damage or even ripping the fabric. Water can also start seeping right through the top or over the side, drenching everyone and everything underneath it. If you're using a pop-up canopy on your patio or backyard, heavy winds can cause its roof to cave in. This can throw off its aerodynamics, causing it to fly away. These scenarios can easily ruin a good time spent outdoors. So, you'll want to properly secure the roof and its shape with the help of pool noodles.

The only thing more annoying than getting completely soaked when trying to enjoy the outdoors is getting up every five minutes to hit the roof of your canopy to knock off the pool of water. Some options come equipped with struts, which are anti-pooling technologies built into their design to help distribute the weight of rainwater and prevent pooling. But if yours doesn't have this, you can spend a few bucks on some pool noodles to help make the most out of your backyard patio canopy.

These foam cylinders can be inserted into the corners of the tent to create an arch that pushes up on the fabric and allows rainwater to run off. Wedge a pool noodle over two polls under the material and create a "U" shape so that the arch of the buoyant tube is parallel to the corner where the polls meet. This area is where heavy rain would otherwise cause sagging or puddling on the roof, but the arch shape will fortify it so that the tent keeps its shape and fight off the different weather elements. You can use zip ties to secure your cylinders if need be and match the color of your noodle to your fabric to disguise it.

Those with a cross-braced pop-up canopy can try using hula hoops as another effective solution to prevent pooling and keep your structure secure. By wedging a hula hoop between one of the canopy's inner truss/beams and the fabric, you can create tension and eliminate slack. This method ensures that rainwater slides off the canopy instead of accumulating. It is important to note that for open-span or cathedral-style canopies, the pool noodle solution should be employed instead.

If you want to double up on protection, you can also enhance the waterproofing capabilities of your canopy by applying a water-repellent spray to the fabric. Products like Scotchgard can help make the fabric more water-resistant, reducing the chances of leakage during rainy conditions. Before applying any spray, make sure that you check the manufacturer's instructions and test a small area to ensure compatibility with your canopy material.