Since people don’t buy marquees every day, there is a lot that they don’t know about the science of 'Marquee-Making'. Here we discuss how you can increase the shelf life of marquees.
The science of ‘Marquee-Making’ (if I may call it so) has seen a lot of advancements in the years gone by to increase the shelf life of these tents, but again they are not invincible. Just like any other product, they require care and time to time repairs for them to serve you for years to come.
Now, if your event marquee or folding marquee is falling to pieces then it is best to leave it to the experts or buy a new one, but if it is minor marquee repair, read this piece till the very end, and I’m sure that your issue will be resolved.
So here goes your ultimate guide on gazebo repairs.
1. How to repair a tear in your marquee:
A. Small Tears: Be it a portable gazebo tent or an event marquee; this is going to be your Achilles heel as a marquee owner. A small tear in your tent leaves you susceptible to wind and rain, which defeats the very purpose of it. They also make you prone to infectants and vectors like mosquitos, ticks etc. So if you have a small rip in your marquee, the tent repair tape should do the job. Apply the tent repair tape on both inside and outside the tear and seal it with a seam sealer. However, caution must be exercised while picking the right type of tape. Only tapes and sealers explicitly made for nylon tents will work on them whereas canvas tents will need taffeta repair tape and seam sealer. A mismatch could damage either tent.
B. Large Tears: Now this is where it gets serious as repairing large tears may involve you doing some crocheting. This is some marquee repair exercise. Canopy areas which are a little distant from the tear can handle a little extra pressure, so you have to pull the two sides of the canopy under one another and sew tightly. Make sure you use a sewing awl and waxed thread, also that the stitches are close to each other before sealing off them off with the seam sealer. If there is not enough canopy on your event marquee to be bought together, you can use the repair tape. Cover the torn area with the tape approximately 1.5 inches longer and wider than the tear and then seal it by liberally utilising the seam sealer.
2. How to repair a leak in your marquee:
The next biggest evil that our gazebo repairs guide deals with is the leaks. Generally, leaks are caused by a tear in the fabric of the tent. If that is the case, then use the above steps to address the leak.
However, if that is not the case, the first thing that you need to do is find the source of the leak. They are most commonly seen on the junction of two fabrics. If you notice seepage through the seams, wipe the area with tent cleaner or alcohol and seal it off with seam sealer.
Most portable gazebo tents these days come with waterproof membranes; however, after a while, they wear off and start letting water in. Use water-guard to reapply this coating if you see water seeping in. Substances like detergents have antagonistic effects on the waterproof coating and hence should not be used to clean the tent.
3. How to repair broken tent poles:
This is the most frequent issue with event marquees that have come of age. Overzealous cousins standing on your tent, rusting, strong winds and ‘n’ number of other reasons can cause a break in your tent poles.
It is best advised to leave the pole tent repairs to the experts and store a few spares in case of an emergency.
In case you don’t have any spares, duct tapes can be an effective makeshift, especially in cases where you don’t need to bend the poles.
4. How to repair broken marquee zipper:
There a multiple issues that you can face with your zippers and they all have their unique solution.
If the teeth of the zipper are broken in any manner or place, it is best advised to replace the entire thing. However, it is not something that will be on your mind mid-event or trip.
If the teeth are misaligned, try running the zipper twice or thrice over them, and that should do the trick.
If there is something wrong with the slider, use a plier and exert pressure on the misaligned portion and run the zipper over them. If that does not work, then you may need to consult a specialist.
5. How to fix bent tent pegs:
Bent tent pegs are a more common that occurrence most people think. If your pegs are bent, try bending them back into shape with your hands or a mallet. If that does not get the job done, you can heat them on a flame to make them more malleable and then mould them carefully back in shape. Exercise a lot of care while doing this.
In any case, having a few spare pegs is always handy.
As the old saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure’, why not take care of your portable tent instead of going through the pain of marquee repairs.
So it is in your best interest to store your event marquee or a folding marquee in a dry place away from moisture. Separate the fabric and frames before storing and do not put excessive pressure on the carry bags. Never position your portable gazebo tent horizontally with the canopy still attached to reduce the chances of damage during transit. Always repair all tears or leaks before storing your tent away because the last thing you would want to see is a torn/leaky event marquee before your next event.
This was our take on easily manageable gazebo repairs, and however, as I said earlier, in case of severe issues with your event marquees or folding tents, it is best to consult the experts. Call 1300 850 832 or visit https://www.extreme-marquees.com.au/.
