Winter has its pitfalls: What you must pay attention to with large umbrellas

Practice

Meissl large umbrellas are often in use throughout the whole year. When the conditions are wintery and the winter winds blow, then you should follow these important pointers in order to protect your guests and to extend the longevity of your umbrella.

Experienced sailors know when to lower their sails, so that they won’t be damaged by a strong wind. This is also the case for umbrella covers: Meissl umbrellas are very robust – but naturally the material has its limits. The wind speed, when you should really close the umbrella, depends upon the umbrella type and is stated in your instruction manual. Even, when the umbrella is closed, the wind could also cause damage, for example, when loose fabric folds rub against the metal, or creases and pleats form in the material, which could then lead to breakages and rips. Especially with square and angular shaped umbrellas, pull the fabric folds out after closing it and then at the very least, put on the safety strap on all umbrellas. If the wind should get any stronger, we strongly recommend using the protective cover. If the material is damp, then it is essential to dry it out as soon as possible to prevent any build-up of mould.

"Icicles - beautiful but dangerous"

Icicles are a striking visual highlight in winter, which are not only potentially dangerous for your guests, should they suddenly fall, but also considerable damage could be caused to your large umbrella and your umbrella bar, if, for example the often-considerable weight of the icicles distorts the textile covering. In extreme cases this can even cause leaks and adversely affect the opening and closing of the umbrella. Therefore, it is better to remove the icicles before they get too big and heavy.

Publication date: 21 Feb 2020