Super Easy Fix for a Patio Umbrella Cord
If you follow my blog you will know that I am all about upcycling, repurposing and recycling. If I can prevent an item from finding it's way into the landfill, I'm going to do it.
So now, it's summertime, it's hot, I need shade and my patio umbrella just sits there sad and droopy. The umbrella is only about a year old, I've only used it a dozen or so times and the rope has already frayed and broken.
The umbrella is in perfect shape, I just can't raise it.
It pains me to think I'll have to throw it away. After a little research I found that there are Patio umbrella Replacement Cord s available online (the one I highlighted is $16), they would involve taking apart the handle mechanism and restringing. That didn't sound too easy and what's to prevent the fraying from happening again?
I've got a much easier fix for you and it might even be free depending on what you already have on hand.
Here is the frayed cord, it's not lifting any umbrella any time soon.
Supplies you'll need for this project are a metal drill bit, a drill and a allen wrench. If you shop at IKEA then you probably have a bunch of the allen wrenches lying around.
Open the umbrella and turn it upside down. Drill a hole all the way thru the pole just under the spokes large enough for the allen wrench to have a little wiggle room to slide in and out.
Insert the allen wrench, cut off the old string and BOOM, you're done.
Back in business. Did I mention this was an easy fix?
If you get a chance stop by Scavenger Chic for tons of upcycling projects.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
So how do you raise/lower the umbrella without having to turn upside down?