Hotter Months Ahead in the UK, Best Ways to Maintain Garden Furniture
by Fernando Acevedo
As climate change continues to affect different parts of the world, the UK is set to have a summer that’s “warmer-than-average”. This is bad news for all the garden furniture sitting out in the sun all day, which may even present a fire risk to residents
April Heat
The Met Office recently published their report on the weather conditions over the next few months of 2022. Notably, it states that chances of a heatwave are higher than normal.
Some residents will remember an earlier heatwave just last month in April during which temperatures rose to 23C in the south east. However, it wasn’t long before the rain and clouds appeared to cool things down. But while hotter summers are frowned upon in other parts of the world, for the UK they are a welcome phenomenon.
According to the Met Office, there is a 40% chance of abnormally high temperatures during May, June, and July. Additionally, there is a 50% chance that the summer will be average, or even slightly cooler than average. Overall, a 40% chance is large enough to prepare for higher temperatures.
According to the Met:
“Whilst this doesn’t necessarily mean heatwaves will occur, it does increase the likelihood of heatwaves compared to normal, particularly in June and July.
“Even with a slight reduction in the chance of a wet period,” the Met Office said, “spells of wetter weather are likely bringing heavy showers or thunderstorms at times.”
Ultimately the Met Office mentioned that their predictions are just that, and that residents should expect differences in temperatures over the coming months.
“The increased chance of hot conditions couldjust as easily reflect a mix of hot and cool days, warm nights, or less extreme levels of warmth rather than heatwave conditions specifically,” they said.
Heat Harms Garden Furniture
One of the unexpected victims of higher temperatures is the often expensive furniture residents leave out on their patios or gardens. Objects such as tables and chairs, often made with synthetic materials or even wood, are vulnerable to the sun’s rays during the entire day if not protected.
Of course, one of the best ways to protect garden furniture is by covering it with protective covers made specifically for each item. Beside protecting furniture from the sun, covers also shield these objects from rain, keeping wooden, steel, and fabric materials dry. This helps to avoid deterioration from the elements, as well as discoloration which makes the furniture look aged.
Another strategy for how to maintain garden furniture is by inspecting it daily to make sure there is no standing dirt or water. While some materials like teak wood or steel are very tough, leaving water or dirt on natural surfaces can slowly cause absorption and oxidation.
Wood can rot from water getting in through the cracks. Similarly, steel can rust and break, especially if carrying a load. It’s best to check the furniture daily to make sure it is clean and dry.
Caring for Natural Furniture
Wicker garden furniture is popular for its handcrafted aesthetic, but it is very vulnerable to the elements and abrasion. Dirt and other substances can easily get trapped in-between the wicker weaves, making it difficult to inspect or clean these objects.
An idea for how to maintain garden furniture made of wicker is to vacuum it or rinsing it down with water. This makes sure anything that is trapped in the natural fibers can get out before it attracts insects or begins to deteriorate the fibers.
The hot summer months ahead means making sure garden furniture is protected from the heat. In some instances this could even help avoid fire risks like those posed by garden furniture recently sold by Aldi in the UK. By simply checking to make sure the furniture is clean and dry, residents can keep it looking great for years to come.
