A canopy is a great way to enjoy your weekends and vacations close to outdoor nature. The canopies and tents not only save you from external elements but also provides you with the coziness you want during the leisure time.
Although these canopies might come with the waterproof feature already, it doesn’t mean you can use them straight in the rain. The canopies will need special preparation to work in rain. Thus, we have accumulated the top tips on how to use canopy in rain.
The tips include tightening the ties, ensuring a secure rainfly installation, and sealing the seams for a uniform look. There’re other methods as well.
We will reveal the tips right in this article to help you enjoy the changing weather and rain even during the strongest shower.
Why Should You Prepare The Canopy for Rain?
Most canopies, if not all, are made waterproof. Thus, it protects the interior from any water and so, you may ask about the necessities of preparing the canopy for rain. Is it even essential or just a waste of time, money, and energy?
We understand the base of such questions coming from travelers and tent dwellers. But you would be surprised to know the benefits of preparing custom canopies for use in heavy rains.
First off, heavy rainfall can wash out the rainfly if it is not tied tightly. And a canopy will lose its water and spillage-proof properties considerably if the rainfly is gone. The rainfly allows the canopy to stay away from the direct hit of the raindrops. So, it works better as a waterproof setup.
Even a waterproof and rainproof canopy has its weak points, especially in its seams. Often these seams are not well stitched and covered to stop the rainwater from entering into the canopy. Thus, you might see your valuable gadgets getting wet in dripping water if you don’t seal these seams. And sealing the seams is a vital part of preparing the canopy for use in rain.
Also, you will see tents and canopies coming with a ground cloth. It keeps the inside of the canopy dry and away from the water outside. But during too much rain, even the ground cloth will get wet and start collecting water. It will eventually enter inside the canopy to make the ground wet. Thus, you have to improve the ground cloth to use it in rain.
How To Use Canopy In Rain
A canopy permits you to enjoy the coziness and closeness of nature without much hassles. Thus, travelers and hikers love the canopy setup. But the same canopy can quickly turn into a nightmare during the rain if it isn’t prepared for such conditions.
You may stand helplessly only to witness that the rainfly is truly flaying and dancing with the rain and water coming inside your canopy. But you can avoid such moments with the following steps. We have prepared these easy-to-follow tips to help you use the canopy in rain in comfier conditions.
Tip 1: Sealing the canopy seams:
Let’s start with the hardest part of using the canopy and tent in rain- sealing its seams. Especially, older canopies will ask you to seal every seam to make them water and rainproof. You will need to use any sealant. The sealant will need to be applied inside the seams and then, you need to allow the sealant to dry for use.
But, most canopies will actually need to apply the sealant twice. Therefore, after the 1st coat dries off, you need to apply the 2nd coat of sealant and let it dry afterward.
The newer tents will need different preparation for the seams though. The newer models facilitate taped seams inside the canopy. It means that the manufacturer has used tape to sew and seal the seams. So, you may not need to rainproof these seams. Nonetheless, check every seam to ensure that the stitching and taping are done properly and no seam is left without taped stitching.
However, you will still need to waterproof the seams of the floor and the Rainfly of the canopy. You must always use the sealant inside the canopy and not outside. So, while applying the sealant you should flip over the canopy and work afterward.
Tip 2: Rainproof the canopy ground cloth:
Even during extremely wet conditions, the ground cloth will keep the rainwater out from the canopy. But even it will collect water if the cloth gets too weight. The good news is that you can always improve the already existing ground cloth of the canopy.
The best way of keeping the ground cloth and the canopy secure in the rain is to ensure the same seam for both the ground cloth and the canopy bottom. For this, you have to tuck the ground cloth with the existing seam of the canopy bottom. Then seal it with the sealant or taped stitching.
Also, you may add the patch. For this, measure the length and diameter of the ground cloth. Make sure you do it while the cloth is on the tarp. Mark the ground cloth’s tarp and attach it with the cloth by stitching. Then seal it with the bottom seams.
Tip 3: Tightening the Rainfly:
A Rainfly is perhaps the most important system to make a rainproof canopy. However, it may get washed off or blow away if not tied tightly. You will indeed feel annoying if you need to tie the Rainfly under the rain. Also, rainwater will make the Rainfly sag. Hence, it is suggested that you tie up the Rainfly at home.
Also, make sure that the cords you are using to tie the Rainfly are reflective. It helps others to recognize you from a distance during the rain. Also, you will easily know where your canopy is during the darks. If the cords aren’t reflective enough, we suggest you purchase the truly reflective cords.
The benefit of reflective cords is that these are pretty strong and facilitates in Hitch knot. The Hitch knot is the best method to tie the Rainfly in quick time and securely too.
Final Words
When you want to use a canopy in rain, it’s not as difficult as most people think. The three tips on how to use canopy in rain should allow you to enjoy the coziness and warmth of the canopy during heavy rains.
You just need to ensure the canopy seams are sealed properly and the Rainfly is tied tight enough so it doesn’t fly during the rain. Also, connect the ground cloth with the interior seams of the canopy and tent for better protection in rain.