A garden furniture expert has urged households across the UK to remove the covers from their garden furniture now to avoid a costly repair bill
Britain is enjoying another scorching heatwave this week, with the mercury hitting 34C across swathes of the nation. Whilst most folk are revelling in the blazing sunshine, it can spell disaster for our gardens, with plants needing watering at particular times and even wildlife requiring assistance. However, it’s not merely flora and fauna that might suffer during the heatwave—your outdoor furniture could be at risk as well.
A garden furniture specialist is warning households nationwide to strip covers off their patio sets immediately or potentially face an expensive repair bill.
Sarah McCarthy from upmarket outdoor furniture experts Luxus Home and Garden revealed that numerous furniture covers feature PVC lining, which can melt when subjected to intense heat for extended periods, reports the Express.
She explained: “Many of us like to spend more time in our gardens during spells of sunny weather, whether we’re entertaining family and friends or want to enjoy some downtime alone.
“For many homeowners, garden furniture items such as benches, chairs and tables play a key role in enjoying their outdoor space.
“However, it’s important to know how to maintain and protect garden furniture against the elements, whether it’s harsh wind and rain in winter or blazing sun in summer.
“A common mistake is forgetting to remove protective covers from garden furniture items during hot weather.
“It’s common for covers to be lined with PVC, which leaves them vulnerable to melting when exposed to direct sunlight for significant periods of time.
“If practical, it’s best to move valued outdoor items to shaded areas of your garden, and avoid letting prolonged sun exposure and you with a costly repair bill.”
When furniture covers melt, they can leave marks or residue on furniture, which, depending on the extent of the damage, can cost hundreds to repair or replace.
If looked after properly, high-quality garden furniture can last for decades, which is why it’s vital to use garden furniture covers correctly throughout the year.