Tarp Maintenance for Heavy Duty Tarpaulin

In order to benefit from a long service life of reliable use from heavy-duty tarps, proper maintenance habits are essential. Some people choose to see tarpaulins as disposable, especially the ubiquitous blue, but any homeowner or business owner can appreciate the savings of well-maintained equipment.

Here are some tips for keeping heavy-duty products in good working condition for years to come.

Polyethylene Maintenance

Blue Heavy Duty Tarpaulin is made from polyethylene or poly for short. It is an inexpensive, easy-to-manufactured plastic material. However, it is typically less durable than other materials. For these reasons, many people misuse the covers and then throw them away once they begin to show wear and tear. It is possible, however, to have a long life when they are well cared for and maintained.

When covering materials with a blue poly, be cautious of sharp edges and abrasive materials; both will cut through the plastic. Avoid using poly covers near sharp rocks or chunks of concrete as well; abrasive rocks will eventually wear through the material. You shouldn't use a poly product on a trailer; they don't have the tear resistance needed to endure truck driving winds. Also, keep blue polys out of the direct sun during the summer months or if you live in the southern states as UV radiation will degrade the polyethylene.

Overall, avoiding the above situations will allow your Blue Tarpaulin to last a long time. In the event that they do eventually wear down, recycle them just like you would a plastic soda bottle.

Canvas Maintenance

Canvas is a natural fiber and it is stronger than poly and will enjoy a long service life. When it comes to canvas tarp maintenance, there are two main habits to follow. First, any tears that develop on the canvas have to be repaired as soon as possible. While canvas is a durable material, existing tears will tend to spread. Secondly, if a canvas tarp is constantly wet, it will eventually rot and develop mold and mildew due to its long-term exposure to standing water. These tarpaulins can also have a finish coating to improve their durability, and resistance to UV rays, and to help inhibit the growth of mold. Considering canvas is a more substantial investment than poly, it makes sense to use a premium finish.

Vinyl Maintenance

Vinyl is one of the strongest materials and is used for truck tarps, and lumber tarps for commercial trucking. A lumber tarp, however, is not indestructible and requires regular maintenance. Laminated vinyl will crack if used outdoors in below-freezing temperatures and are typically not UV treated. UV protection and outstanding UV performance are generally built into vinyl-coated polyester products. If you have some spare vinyl fabrics and some vinyl cement on hand, you can repair tears on vinyl easily.