What You Should Be Using To Safely Weigh Down A Patio Umbrella Stand

The patio can be a great place to relax on the weekend or to entertain guests, but it can be a lot less enjoyable if you don't have plenty of shade. Fortunately, the best patio umbrellas can keep you cool and offer significant protection from UV rays. They can provide cover for all types of patio furniture including tables, sofas, and more. 

While patio umbrellas can be very useful outside, they can experience problems when it's windy. They may fall over if they haven't been weighted down properly. To keep an outdoor umbrella secure, you need to ensure that you add plenty of weight to the stand. Even if you're using an included umbrella base or one that fits inside a patio table, consider adding extra weight to the bottom to keep it more secure. The best way to safely weigh down a patio umbrella stand is to add weight bags or sandbags to it. You can also use cinder blocks on a flat, level base. 

Alternatively, some umbrellas come with stands that you can easily add sand or water to. Both work well in a warm climate as long as you add enough weight to be effective. Note that water is usually cheaper and more easily accessible, but can freeze and crack plastic bases in colder climes. There are DIY solutions you can try as well such as this IKEA hack for turning your planter into the base for an umbrella. 

When weighing down a standard patio umbrella stand, think carefully about the weight that's required. A good rule of thumb is to add 10 pounds of weight for every foot of width that the umbrella's canopy has. For example, a 10-foot umbrella would generally need about 100 pounds of weight on the umbrella stand, while an 11-foot umbrella would need about 110 pounds. If you live in a particularly windy area, you should add at least 10 pounds of extra weight to be safe. You'll also want to add that 10 pounds of extra weight if the umbrella is freestanding and not connected to a table. Always aim to add a little bit of extra weight rather than not enough, just to be safe. 

Keep in mind that cantilever umbrellas need more weight than standard patio umbrellas. This is because the umbrella is overhanging rather than directly above the stand. A cantilever umbrella will need about 150 to 175 pounds of weight for a 10-foot diameter umbrella while an 11-foot umbrella will need 220 pounds or more.

To get the most out of your patio umbrella, you should avoid buying the cheapest option available. Always ensure you're getting a quality product first and foremost and be sure that you can rely on any umbrella you choose. When choosing a patio umbrella, consider buying one that has vents since these have better air circulation. This allows for better stability since the wind will flow through it. The wind won't knock it over or cause damage as easily. 

When not in use, be sure that you're closing up your umbrella completely. This will help prevent the wind from catching and causing damage to it. Also, be sure to spend time cleaning your patio umbrella from time to time. A patio umbrella can easily be cleaned by hosing it down with water and adding a mild dishwashing liquid such as Dawn. You can then scrub the umbrella with a soft bristle brush. Once you're done, rinse thoroughly and let the umbrella air dry to complete the job.