What are Specialty Patio Umbrellas?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment
Patio Umbrella with Lights

This category of shade products refers to units that are designed with the intent of meeting a specific need which would not be possible with the average vanilla product that is available on an everyday basis at your local retail outlet. The needs met by these special designs, range from the ability to have the shade fabric up against a wall, providing the same kind of benefits as an awning without the hassle of permanent installation, to frames that have lighting built directly into the ribs with audio power ports, heaters mounted on the ribs, and wall mounted umbrellas for areas that don’t have sufficient space or don’t lend themselves to the use of an upright post or pole. You can see all of these possibilities at PatioUmbrellaUSA.com, right now.

Half Brella

To understand the half brella, one should imagine a standard parasol cut in half. It is designed with the usual three hundred sixty degree covering essentially cut in half and only one half remains to provide the shade. The base receives the same treatment allowing for the complete structure to be placed flush against a wall. This allows the product to provide shading in the same manner as an awning placed over a house window or for people living in apartments with limited space and only the need for shade from one direction.

Under canopy lighting

Lighting in the form of LED lights incorporated into the ribs of the frame is available on specific models or designs. When this feature was originally made available the commonly used bulb was the Christmas light string. With the advances in technology manufacturers have moved to the LED lights which are cleaner, longer lasting and more aesthetically appealing. Some manufacturers also include the option of a bowl type light fitting in the center which generally houses a 12V car light bulb. Units with lighting are powered by a one hundred volt to twelve volt transformer that plugs into the post of the unit. In most instances the lighting is designed to illuminate at a level that does not create glare or distract from the night time natural light. Last but not least, options are also available on certain models that provide a built in radio player and the ability to connect your mp3 audio player. All available at PatioUmbrellaUSA.com

Heating

The majority of umbrellas supplied with heaters installed or as an accessory, make use of one hundred twenty volt halogen heaters. The preferred heater too use is an infrared heater that is designed and UL certified for use in low profile settings under a canopy. They provide a far superior heat output.

Wall Mounted Patio Umbrella

Wall Mounted

Wall mounted umbrellas are aesthetically appealing as well as extremely versatile. Models offered in this range, come with the ability to close the canopy and retract the arm against the wall without having to remove the frame from the wall mount arm. The arms are available in different lengths and articulate so that you can easily place them in different positions depending on your seating needs at the time. They also offer the ability to rotate the umbrella on its own axis allowing you to block out the sun or a breeze coming from a specific direction.

The most popular of these specialty patio umbrellas is definitely the Patio Umbrella with Lights. Be sure to check out this product when visiting PatoUmbrellaUSA.com

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A Guide to Choosing the Correct Patio Umbrella Base

Posted on February 6, 2012 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment
Patio Umbrella Base Example

Patio umbrellas in general are not supplied with a base. However, there are some that might, such an is with the Offset, Side Post or Cantilever styles. The most important criteria to consider when looking for a base or stand will be the size of the canopy and the weight that will support it..

What are the Options

For a center post frame, there are a variety of base options available. The options vary according to where the umbrella will be located and how it will be used. Take for example an outdoor umbrella that is being placed in the center of an outdoor table. It is important to take into consideration the size and weight of the table, the size of the hole in the table and the material used to construct the table. You will also want to confirm how much clearance you have under the table for the stand. Many are supplied with two differing size tube supports to allow for reduced clearances when the base is used under a table.

How Will I Be Using My Patio Umbrella?

When the garden umbrella is used free standing, the parameters that you want to consider are different. Your patio umbrella base choice will largely be dependent on the size of the umbrella. It is always prudent to use a base that is heavier than what you expect will suffice for the patio umbrella that you are using. By following this guideline you will be assured of the umbrella not being uprooted and blown away under most conditions. People often make the mistake of thinking that if they use a really heavy base, the umbrella will not be affected by the wind. Even umbrellas using fiberglass ribs are affected by the wind and damage will result. For a guideline on what size you would use, look to purchase from a store with knowledgeable sales people, or from an online store that has qualified live support and provides concise information on their website. For a free standing umbrella it is recommended to use a stand with a longer support tube that can firmly hold the umbrella post.

Umbrella Base Materials

Umbrella Base Materials

Aside from the patio umbrella base coming with differing lengths of posts, they are also available in differing materials such as, plastic forms that are filled by the user with water, sand or cement, metal, aluminum or fiberglass. There are even ones like Shademobile’s Rolling Umbrella Base or leveling blocks. In the case of offset umbrella bases, some of them allow for the umbrella to rotate 360 degrees without the actual base itself being moved. In-ground bases are also available for most offset umbrellas as well as some manufacturers going so far as to offer mounting options that include mounting the umbrella to a spa, wall , pillar or fence.

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What is the Best Fabric to Select for an Outdoor Patio Umbrella

Posted on December 21, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment

Umbrellas offered for sale in the United States of America are available in a variety of fabrics. The most used, would be the Acrylic with the balance of the materials ranging from Olefin to Polyester and Vinyl.

Patio Umbrella Fabrics

Acrylic

The best known, most widely used and specified fabric is Sunbrella solution dyed acrylic. This manufacturer offers the largest range of colors and designs along with the largest grade option. The majority of umbrellas are manufactured with upholstery grade with some manufacturers offering their product with a marine grade. Pricing varies depending on the grade and design.

Acrylic fabrics are synthetic and the color pigments are applied during the production of the fiber, penetrating all the way to the core and creating a fade resistant product that is weather and UV resistant providing the longest serviceability of all the umbrella coverings. Acrylics are cleaned by washing them down with a mild soap solution in tepid water. It is a mildew resistant product that will not host the mold in itself but can be affected by waterborne spores. The mildew is easily washed off if treated when first noticed.

Sunbrella products are also GreenGuard certified – this certification requires that the fabric does not emit toxins into the environment.

Polyester patio Umbrella

Olefin

Olefin is also a fabric manufactured from synthetic fibers. It is quick drying, and has a luxurious finish but a lower wear and UV tolerance than Acrylic coverings. Olefin does not absorb water because the fiber is hydrophobic but you will experience difficulty in removing oil stains. Like other artificial fibers, Olefin is used in the manufacture of a variety of products ranging from carpeting, upholstery, draperies and other varied items.

Polyester

Polyester is another synthetic product. It is an economical alternative to Acrylic with lower UV and weather ratings. The Lighter color covers tend to wear better outdoors. If you want your Polyester covered umbrella to last longer it is important that you store it indoors when not in use. This type of fiber is easily recycled.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a common choice for use on coverings for beach umbrellas and was a commonly used fabric on regular outdoor umbrellas in the past, but recent trends have moved away from it. Vinyl wears well and is easily cleaned and quick drying. Vinyl is manufactured from petroleum based products and is a type of plastic.

As with anything, including patio umbrellas, it is, “You get what you pay for”. However, when choosing a fabric, it’s important to make a proper buying decision between longevity and cost.

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How to Install Your Outdoor Furniture Covers

Posted on December 21, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment
Outdoor Furniture Covers Installation

Installing your furniture covers is simple, only takes minutes and can protect your furniture from the abuse of the outdoor elements, adding years to the product life. Before putting the protective covers over your furniture you will need to make sure that everything is set up and ready to go.

Clean the Covers

Clean the Covers

First, take a look at your backyard and focus on trees and on other environmental risks that pose a threat to the products you will be covering. Removing the furniture from an unstable area can save you time, money and, mostly of all, frustration in having to replace expensive pieces. Before installing your outdoor covers, make sure they are clean. This will improve their life expectancy and insure there will be no transfer of dirt or contaminates to your furniture. Note that before storing your protective coverings, they should be cleaned and allowed to dry. This way, when they are ready to use, they will be dirt free.

Clean the Furniture

Second, inspect the items you will be covering for any large debris and remove accordingly. Clean the items per manufacture recommendations. Most outdoor products can be cleaned with warm water and a mild detergent. A patio umbrella is best cleaned when in the open position. Allow all products to dry before moving to the next step.

Inspect

Third, make sure there are no manufacture defects, rips, tears or anything that will allow the elements to reach your furniture. Some warranties are limited to manufacture defects for a specified period of time whereas the higher quality fabrics offer a longer warranty against fading, cracking and deterioration. The warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and is something that should be taken into consideration when looking to make a purchase to protect your investment. Once fully inspected, wither begin the installation or note any defects. Any defects should immediately be noted and communicated with the manufacturer. The inspection process will probably be the most time consuming, but will insure you have products that will properly protect your outdoor items. Check and read any installation guidelines or manuals, as some installation processes may differ slightly.

Install

Protective furniture cover installation

Fourth, place the entire outdoor furniture cover over the item to be covered. Pull one end downward until it is taut. Then move to the opposite side and repeat the process. Continuing pulling all edges downward until the protective covering fully encases the patio product. To avoid water pooling on your cover it is recommended to put an object such as a beach ball under your cover to create a tent-like effect. This will allow the water to run off, instead of creating a pool that could allow mold and other contaminants to build up. Some new protective furniture covers on the market are DuckCovers that include an inflation balloon to prevent water pooling, a very novel idea to a simple product.

Secure

Secure the outdoor furniture covers Secure with the drawstring

Lastly, secure with the attached tie downs or Velcro fastening system to create a snug fit and to prevent them from being blown or pulled off by harsh winter weather. After securing your tie downs, it’s important to double check that everything has a proper fit. Outdoor furniture covers are intended to protect against rain, snow and debris that would otherwise end up on your patio furniture. Choosing the proper coverings for your weather conditions and climate will help your outdoor investment stay beautiful for years.

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The Reasons Why Outdoor Offset Umbrellas Could Be a Good Choice

Posted on December 14, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment
11.5' Milano 115R Pro Offset Umbrella - Power Base

The Benefits

When the needs arises to shade a relatively large area in an outdoor setting, people often choose an offset umbrella. They provide shade and protection over a large area without having the obstructive center pole of a standard patio umbrella. The aesthetic effect obtained by using this type of shade is similar in experience to sitting under a covered porch or pergola, with much less of a cost.

Outdoor offset umbrellas are available in different shapes and sizes creating the possibility that at least one will meet your needs. Although the majority of the cantilever structures have the post off to the side and integrated with a solid base on the ground, there are also available versions that are wall or fence mounted. Freestanding awnings are also available, as part of the offset product line, that go as wide as eighteen feet and use two posts to support the structure.

All Shapes and Sizes

The majority of offset umbrellas have frames manufactured from aluminum, with some manufacturers using aircraft grade aluminum making for a stronger, longer lasting frame. As previously mentioned, varying shapes and sizes are available with canopies in square, octagonal, and rectangular layouts with sizing going from eight feet up to eighteen feet. Options include lighting built into the ribs with supplementary lighting suspended below the center hub of the frame, as well as radios and auxiliary outlets. Fabrics can range from top of the line Sunbrella to less expensive polyesters and mesh fabrics.

Bases and Stands

Bases range from a basic metal criss-cross frame that requires the user supply and place square paving stones on the metal cross members to provide the weight and stability for the frame. This method is mostly used for lighter low cost units and is very effective. To improve the aesthetic appeal of the paver stone look, users will often place potted plants on the pavers to create a very pleasant effect. More expensive outdoor offset umbrellas will offer a weighted base, generally covered in UV resistant plastic and full of fantastic features. Another options is in-ground mounts that are sufficiently low priced allowing for more than one to be purchased allowing each base to be place in different areas of the outdoor area , widening the versatility to move and use the umbrella in more than one location. Weighted bases are offered as a basic base or in some instances they include the option for leveling the base, or wheels for moving it.

When space allows for an offset patio umbrella, it should surely be considered as part of your shading needs.

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The Facts About Patio Umbrellas

Posted on December 8, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment

Getting to know the facts about Patio Umbrellas

Patio Umbrella Facts

The Categories

Outdoor patio umbrellas can be broken into three major categories. The standard upright umbrella with the post located in the center of the shade canopy, offset umbrellas which have the main post located to the side of the umbrella, and wall mount umbrellas.

The Fabrics

The outdoor umbrellas are manufactured from a variety of materials with the most common materials used for the post being aluminum, wood and in some instances fiberglass. Canopies are manufactured from a variety of fabrics ranging from Sunbrella Brand acrylic with a three to five year warranty to Olefin or similar feel polyester fabrics with warranty’s ranging between 6 month and two years.

For Shade, Not Rain

Very often people will call a manufacturer looking for, or stating that the fabric on the umbrella was not waterproof and allowed rain to pass through. It is a total misnomer to expect that outdoor patio umbrellas would have waterproof fabric. They are designed and sold as a sunshade and therefore do not have waterproof qualities. Aside from the aforementioned fact, it is unrealistic to expect a covering that is seven to eight feet above the ground to keep the area underneath it dry when rain is blowing or falling at an angle to the ground in most cases.

More Patio Umbrella Facts

Use Caution in Bad Weather

Patio umbrellas can be placed through the center of a table, free standing, or wall mounted. The method of supporting the umbrella will be different in all three instances. Offset patio umbrellas, side post or cantilever style, will only be freestanding and supported by a very heavy base or permanently mounted to concrete or a deck. When using in a table, the base used will be dependent on the size and heft of the table itself. You will also need to consider the clearance that you have in placing the base under the table. In both table and free standing installations it is important to use a base sufficiently heavy enough to prevent a strong wind from blowing the table and or umbrella over. The issue then becomes the fact that although the umbrella won’t be blown over it will most likely severely damaged by the wind. Damage most often occurs to the post or ribs of the umbrella. The ribs are the framework that supports the canopy fabric. The ribs are manufactured from wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. Although manufacturers will market fiberglass ribs in a manner that infers that they are indestructible, caution still needs to be used in harsh weather conditions. The reason being that although the fiberglass ribs are more resistant to wind and gusts, there could be a false sense of security, causing people to leave their umbrellas in the open position while unattended and in bad weather. Although the ribs might survive a strong wind, the post of the umbrella most likely will not. The consumer is therefore recommended to always make sure that their umbrella is tied closed when not in use and ideally packed away in a protected area. The benefits will be a longer lasting umbrella and reduced UV wear of the canopy.

Use this simple tip: If weather prohibits an outdoor gathering or activity, it may be a good time to also protect and secure any patio umbrellas.

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Buying a Patio Heater with Confidence

Posted on December 8, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment
Buying Outdoor Patio Heaters

Outdoor Patio Heaters can be found on offer at numerous E-commerce stores as well as major brick and mortar stores. The question then becomes where to buy from and more importantly which brand is going to give the best bang for the buck. Another very important consideration is the fuel source that you have available to you at your location.

Price isn’t everything – Test their Outdoor Heater Knowledge

Where to buy from – it is so important to be sure of all of the needs above are dealt with that you should ask questions and run as fast as you can if you are not given specific answers that you can verify. On-line stores generally offer best pricing, but I recommend that you call and speak with their customer service as you do need to ask the questions. If they do not appear to be knowledgeable about the product call another company.

Which Outdoor Patio Heater is Right

Look for outdoor electric and gas heaters that operate on the principal of generating the heat via infra-red rays. The benefit of this that the heat generated does not heat the air but heats the object. The object being, the human body, concrete/tile floor etc. One should also be aware that although gas heaters are sold as infra-red heaters, for them to operate in this manner, they need to be run on their high heat setting.

Which is the correct heater for your needs – outside heaters are available in versions running off liquid propane, natural gas and electricity. From a cost of running perspective, natural gas is generally the most cost effective followed by the other two forms at about an equal cost? For the casual user the cost of running will not be a significant issue due to the generally low hours that the heater is used for on a daily basis. For commercial installations this can very quickly become an issue. Both electric and gas heaters come in formats that are free standing or wall mounted. Where possible a wall mounted heater is the preferred choice due to the fact that you then free up floor space and avoid loose wires or gas feeds to trip on.

Outdoor Electric Heater Installation

Outdoor Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are available predominantly in 120V or 240V format. The power rating of the heater is limited by the voltage. You therefore will not see 120V heaters running at more than 1500W which is equivalent to most ladies hair dryers. These 120V heaters are mostly used where you have one or two chairs closely situated and you would place the heater next to the chair or between them and receive very localized heat. In moving up to 240v electric supply your power options increase substantially with the 6000W heater generally being about the most powerful unit that you will find. At this point it becomes very important that you select the correct heater based on your criteria. You need to look at the height at which you will be able to install the heater, how large an area you want to heat and what your prevailing temperature will be at the time that you want to use the heater. With outdoor electric heaters matching the heater to the installation height is critical. By not being aware of this criterion you will invariably find that you have less heat than what you expected or needed or if the heater is too powerful for the installation height, you will constantly be uncomfortable with a feeling of being overheated or worse yet cooked. It is best practice to install a heater that is slightly more powerful than what you estimated your need to be and then be sure to use a controller that allows you to control the heat output as needed.

Powerful Gas Patio Heaters

Gas Patio Heaters

Gas heaters – come in free standing versions and wall mount and as mentioned, use propane or natural gas as the fuel, otherwise know as, outdoor gas heaters. Free standing heaters have an average output ranging between thirty to fifty thousand BTU. The available brands and models range in price from $199 to $1500. As is the case in most instances in life, you get what you pay for. The low cost versions generally burn at a lower heat than advertised, don’t have parts availability and will need replacing far sooner than the better quality units. Wall mount gas heaters are available in versions that use a low voltage electrical current to ignite the heater from a switch on the wall or via a remote.

Whatever your choice or installation, it is always recommended to purchase from a company that is knowledgeable about their product.

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Understanding the Patio Umbrella

Posted on December 8, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment

Learn about the different components of a patio umbrella and how it operates.

Sunbrella Patio Umbrella

The Patio Umbrella

Patio Umbrellas, also known as outdoor umbrellas, market umbrellas or garden umbrellas, have had a long history. In every civilization, there has been the need for outdoor shading; from early man on to the backyard patio of today’s people. The term Umbrella comes from the Latin word Umbra, which means shadow.

Today’s patio umbrellas, with improved technology, are much more than early man’s use of banana leaves and a stick. Feature rich outdoor umbrellas now can include a crank lift system, pulley or manual lift, a push button, collar or auto-tilt mechanism (as seen on an Auto-Tilt Patio Umbrella), built-in lights and even a convenient integrated stereo system.

Because so much is put into a patio umbrella these days, it is important to know what makes up today’s patio umbrella and how to use it.

In this article, we will be discussing the crank lift auto-tilt patio umbrella.

The components that make up this Auto-Tilt Patio Umbrella are:

  • The center pole, which is comprised of a top and bottom pole
  • A crank housing
  • The tilt mechanism
  • The rib assembly, which is actually two connected ribs of a long rib and a short rib (support rib)
  • The runner hub and top hub
  • The finial – ornamental top of the umbrella that also holds the fabric in center of the frame
  • The canopy, also know as the fabric or umbrella cover.

Patio Umbrella Frame

Unless of the offset patio umbrella variety, almost all patio umbrellas will have a center pole. Some patio umbrellas will have a one-piece center pole, which is perfect for commercial grade applications, also known as Commercial Patio Umbrellas. But most have a bottom and top pole, that connect together via a slip, and held in position with a push button. The umbrella in the diagram above, uses a threaded connection, which keeps the patio umbrella in a more sturdy position with less connection sway. The top pole contains the crank housing, that, when the crank is turned, the patio umbrella with either close or open, depending on the clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the crank. The crank is connected to a nylon cable or, (as with the Galtech Patio Umbrellas above) a steel cable. Once the crank is rotated, the cable wraps around the crank shaft and begins to lift the runner hub upwards, via a pulley inside the upper portion of the top pole. The long rib, which is connected to the stationary top hub and the short rib, which is connected to the runner hub, begin to push the patio umbrella upward and out away from the center pole. (Note: Before cranking the patio umbrella open, make sure to slightly pull the ribs away from the center pole, out of “dead-lock” position.) At this point the fabric begins to become taut within the pockets sewn into the exterior of the umbrella cover. Continuing to rotate the crank, will put the umbrella in the complete open position. Once completely open, the patio umbrella is now ready to be tilted. On our Auto-Tilt Patio Umbrella example above, continuing to crank the umbrella (in the same opening rotation) will begin to tilt the umbrella. The auto-tilt patio umbrella is variable, so you may crank to a desired tilt position. Please note when tilting a patio umbrella, that it does not obstruct the traffic of people walking under that patio umbrella. This is usually not a concern when the patio umbrella is placed through a table. Rotating the crank counter to opening and tilting the patio umbrella will return the patio umbrella to normal non-tilt position and further cranking will close the umbrella. Once a patio umbrella is completely closed, via the crank, it is a good idea to push in the ribs to “dead-lock” position. This will prevent the patio umbrella from accidentally opening in any gusty conditions.

In our next article, we will discussing the proper usage of an Umbrella Base (Umbrella Stand) and the protective qualities of a Patio Umbrella Cover.

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Patio Heaters – How they Work

Posted on December 8, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment

Understanding the operation of a patio heater

First, it is important to note that all patio heaters work on the same principle of infrared heat. Each uses it fuel source to create infrared energy (like the sun’s light waves) to make the elements or emitter screens reach a particular infrared frequency (an orange glow). This orange glow is then directed by a reflector to heat objects (radiant heat). The objects will then put off ambient heat, making the temperature rise 10 – 25 degrees, in the vicinity of the patio heaters.

In this article, we will be discussing gas patio heaters, their construction and operation.

Patio Heater Construction

A gas patio heater, whether propane or natural gas, is constructed of a base or mount, a post or bracket to the hold the patio heater head, a gas line, a gas regulator, a control valve, a thermocouple or thermopile, an ignitor, a pilot, a burner, an emitter screen and a reflector.

Gas Patio Heater

The gas can be supplied by a pipe natural gas line or by a Liquid Propane Tank. The only difference between a Natural Gas and Propane Patio Heater is the regulator, the burner orifice and the pilot orifice.

Patio Heater Operation

Once the Gas is supplied to the gas patio heater, it first goes through the regulator. The regulator dampens the gas pressure to the proper volume and pressure designed for the control valve and burner. After the gas has been regulated, it continues through the gas line to the control valve. The control valve can then be placed in the “Pilot” position. Once in the pilot position and with the control knob depressed., the gas then flows to the pilot. Pushing the ignitor will spark the gas to create a flame in the pilot. The pilot warms the thermocouple and sends about 120 millivolts of electricity to the control valve. A small magnet in the control valve will move, allowing the gas to flow to the burner. No gas will flow to the burner, until the control know is turned allowing a variable amount of gas to flow. Once the control knob is turned to the desired amount, the gas will then flow to the burner. The gas coming form the burner will ignite from the pilot, which is still burning. The flame from the burner will impinge upon the patio heater emitter screen, making it glow orange. This orange glow is an infrared energy frequency or light wave, that creates radiant heat. This radiant heat starts t move outward, like a light wave and bounces off the reflector, like light in a mirror. The concave construction of the reflector bounces the radiant heat out and downward, usually in a 10 foot radius or 20 foot diameter. Once the light wave or radiant heat strikes an object, it warms the object. The object that has now become warm, throws off ambient heat, heating the area and air in the vicinity of the patio heater. Note that radiant heat is unaffected by the air, nor does it heat air. The more objects in the vicinity of the patio, the ambient heat will be created and the more the area near the patio will be heated.

Patio Heater

The natural gas and propane gas that is ignited by the burner is converted chemically to water vapors and carbon dioxide. For this reason, all outdoor gas heaters, should only be used in an outdoor area with proper ventilation.

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Patio Heaters – What your Patio Heater Manual Doesn’t Tell You

Posted on December 8, 2011 by neighborsmarketing Leave a comment

An outdoor heater, just like any other appliance needs periodic maintenance. When checking your patio heater manual, you will probably have very good instruction in how to assemble and operate your patio heater. There may even be some useful troubleshooting information, if your patio heater doesn’t operate properly. But there is something the patio heater manufacture doesn’t bother to let you to know.

The warmer seasons are ending and you pull your patio heater storage, ready to warm up those brisk mornings and nights. You turn on the natural gas supply or make sure you have a full propane tank. Friends and family are eagerly waiting to stand by the patio heater, so you go to light it up. Using the patio heater before, you know to turn the knob to pilot and depress the igniter button . . . click, and it doesn’t light. Okay, you try it again, click and it doesn’t light again. Your guests continue to wait patiently to gather around your patio heater, but slowly start to move indoors and out of the chill. You check the gas supply again and try the ignition process a few more times, but decide to move the party inside.

The next day you check the patio heater instructions and troubleshooting guide, but still can’t get your patio heater to light and think you may need a new outdoor heater to move the gathering outdoors once again. However, if you knew a few maintenance tips, you might be able to save yourself the the cost of a new patio heater and once again be the life of the party.

What most patio instructions won’t tell you is that a covered or stored patio heater is a favorite home for spiders and other little creatures. The cool, dark and confined space makes for a perfect nesting location for our eight legged friends. The debris, nest and spider webs created during the period of non-use of your patio heater, blocks the important functioning parts of your heater, allowing not to work properly or at all. Unfortunately, without dismantling a couple key parts, you would never be able to see the problem created by the web, debris or nest. If your patio heater is more than a year old, more than likely it is out of warranty and the patio heater manufacturer won’t offer much help.

So what yo you do now to get your patio heater back in operation. Almost all natural gas or propane patio heaters contain the same components of a control valve, a pilot, a thermocouple and a main burner. Getting to and cleaning these components are essential to having your patio heater working again.

Cleaning the internal parts of your Patio Heater:

Note: Always make sure the patio heater is cool, with any gas supply disconnected from the patio heater.

1. Remove the hood or reflector and emitter screen of your outdoor heater. The parts are usually attached to main burner housing with four screws. Once this is remove, you will have access to the main burner, pilot and thermocouple.

2. Remove the main burner, which is usually attached to a bracket with anywhere from two to four screws. Once the main burner is removed, you will have access to the main burner orifice. The orifice a small brass fitting with a tiny hole, measured in gauges. This tiny hole can become clogged or obstructed by the debris, nest or web, left by the spider. Since very little or no gas can pass through the obstruction, the outdoor heater will not create a flame or will have a very yellow sooty flame.

3. With a wrench or socket set, remove this orifice for cleaning. To clean, use compressed air or a needle to remove any obstruction.

4. Check the pilot for any other obstructions. On occasion, the pilot orifice, like the main burner orifice, will have leftover deposits by the spiders. This brass fitting will have an even smaller hole that the main burner orifice. Removing the pilot orifice can be tricky, as different manufacturers will secure the pilot in different manners. Most pilots, however, will be connected to a bracket holding the pilot and thermocouple. Loosen this bracket so you will have free access to the pilot. The pilot orifice will be directly on top of the small copper tube and just under the pilot. Remove the pilot and then remove the pilot orifice. Clean the pilot orifice in the same manner as the main burner orifice with compressed air or a needle.

5. On the main burner, there should be two openings near the bottom of the burner, these are called the venturi. Make sure the opening are clear of any obstructions, so air can be mixed properly with the gas.

6. With all patio heater parts cleaned, reassemble all the parts in reverse order from above, but DO NOT reattach the outdoor patio heater hood (reflector).

7. Reconnect and turn on your gas supply to the patio heater. Following your outdoor heater operation manual, light your patio heater only to the pilot position. While keeping the control knob depressed in the pilot position, check and see that the pilot is lit, with the flame touching the top of the thermocouple. After you have check this, release the patio heater control knob (about 30 – 60 seconds) and the pilot should remain lit. If it does not, wait for the patio heater to cool and follow the pilot orifice cleaning instructions above. reassemble and light the pilot again.

8. Once the pilot remains lit, turn the patio heater control knob to the high position. If the main burner orifice was cleaned properly, you should see a 4 – 6 inch blue flame with orange-yellow tips. If the flame is almost all yellow, then the obstructions in the burner venturi were not cleaned properly. The venturi allow air to mix with gas to burn clean. If no air mixes with the gas, a yellow and dirty flame is produced.

9. With the pilot and main burner now in perfect operation, wait for the patio heater to cool then reassemble the emitter screen and hood back onto the housing bracket, using the same screws provided

10. Light your patio heater and your back in business and ready to have another great party, gathering or outdoor dining experience once again.

Want to know more about Patio Heaters, visit PatioHeatingUSA.com.

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