Tarpaulin Ripping in the Wind? Make Covers and Shelters Last

A tarp shreds at the eyelets in the first gale, a car port shelter strains against the wind, or the patio set comes out from under its cover spotted with mould. Most of it comes down to the grade you pick, how you tie it down and whether damp gets trapped underneath.

PartsForMachines has 59 Sealey, Dellonda and Draper products in its Covers & Accessories range, from tarpaulins and furniture covers to car port shelters and gazebo side walls.

Why Does My Tarp Rip at the Eyelets When the Wind Gets Up?

Because the wind’s whole pull falls on the eyelets that are tied, and a loose sheet lets it get underneath. Tie it at every eyelet, not just the corners, pull it taut, and check the tension regularly, tightening it again when it slackens.

Every tarpaulin in the range has eyelets about every metre, and the Sealey sheets have them in each corner too. Where an eyelet has torn, the TARP4 spring clips grip the sheet itself, no eyelet needed.

80, 130 or 200gsm: Which Tarpaulin Will Last a Winter Outside?

For a winter outside, choose a 130g/m² sheet with a UV filter or a 200gsm heavy-duty one, and keep the light 80gsm sheets for less exposed jobs. Sunlight’s UV breaks polythene down over time, and a UV stabiliser slows that.

The blue and green 130g/m² sheets, such as the TARP1012 tarpaulin, are UV treated and mould and mildew proofed. For the toughest grade, choose a 200gsm heavy-duty sheet such as the 13488: it is thicker than standard tarpaulins, with a corded hem and reinforced corners.

Will a Car Port Shelter Stand Up to Wind and Snow?

Within limits: well anchored and looked after, it can cope with ordinary winter weather, but a fabric shelter is not built to carry a heavy load of snow. Anchor it at every fixing point with anchors that suit your ground: the dome-roof CPS03 shelter comes with stake pegs, so on concrete use fixings made for hard surfaces.

Sealey says the dome roof adds resistance to strong winds, and the GCP car ports have corner ratchets to keep the cover tensioned. Clear snow off regularly, before it builds up. Instructions for some shelters, such as the CCS01, say to remove the cover, or take the shelter down, when high winds are forecast, so check yours.

Will a Cover Stop Garden Furniture Going Mouldy Over Winter?

Only if the furniture is dry when it goes under. Mould needs moisture, so anything put away damp under a cover can go mouldy. Clean and dry the furniture first, keep cushions indoors somewhere dry, and leave a small air gap at the hem.

Every furniture cover in the range is polyethylene, and most have steel-plated eyelets for tying down against the wind. An oval patio set cover such as the 12911 suits an oval table and up to four chairs.

What Should I Check Before I Buy?

• the size: measure furniture with the chairs pushed in, and allow a tarpaulin enough overlap to reach solid tie points
• the grade: 130g/m² with a UV filter, or 200gsm heavy-duty, for a season outdoors
• the fixings: eyelets about every metre, a tie for each, and clips where there is no eyelet
• for a shelter: your vehicle’s width with the doors open, its height and the ground you will anchor into
• the contents: gazebo side wall sets are walls only, with no frame

Browse the Covers & Accessories range, or contact the PartsForMachines team by WhatsApp, telephone or email with the size of what you need to cover and where it will stand.

Product options, delivery options and returns terms are shown on each product page. A 30-day return policy applies to eligible items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a new eyelet in a torn tarpaulin?

Yes. Punch a fresh hole a little way in from the tear, where the sheet is sound, and set a new grommet. The 85665 eyelet and grommet kit has a 3/8in punch, mandrel, anvil, wooden backing block and 12 brass grommets.

How do I clear snow off a shelter without damaging it?

Little and often, with something soft. Shovels, rakes and other hard-edged tools can puncture the cover. Keep the cover taut as well, so snow is less likely to settle in sagging dips.

How do I stop condensation inside a car shelter?

Let air through. The CCS01 vehicle storage shelter has mesh vent windows with covers that roll up to ventilate it and reduce condensation build-up. On any shelter, open the doors on dry days so damp air can get out.

Why did my shelter cover go brittle after a year in the sun?

Sunlight: its UV breaks polythene down over time and weakens it. The covers on the GCP and CPS03 shelters are UV resistant to slow this.

How tight should a shelter cover be, and how often should I re-tension it?

Taut against the frame, so it does not flap or sag. The GCP shelters have a ratchet on each corner for this. Check the tension of the cover, and the anchors and bolts, regularly through the winter.

Is a 3m-wide shelter wide enough to open the car doors?

It depends on the car: measure it with both front doors open. The GCP01 is 3m wide overall, while the 4m-wide GCP02 and CPS03 leave more room at the sides for getting in and out. Check the door opening against your vehicle too.

Do gazebo side walls come with the gazebo, and will they fit another make?

No, the sets are walls only, sized for 2 x 2m, 3 x 4.5m or 3 x 6m frames, and most have two window sides and two door sides. Dellonda says they also fit other makes of gazebo in the same size.

Is there a one-size cover that fits any patio set?

No. Match the cover to the shape and the number of chairs: there are covers for oval sets of up to four or eight chairs, small square or round sets, benches, swing seats, barbecues and chimeneas. Then check the dimensions.

How should I store a tarp or shelter cover out of season?

Clean it, let it dry completely, then fold it away somewhere dry, as damp fabric left folded can go mouldy. While it is spread out, check for tears and torn eyelets and repair them before next winter.