Updated: 5/29/23
Spinning umbrellas have posed some problems at least once in everyone’s life. And think about how annoying they can be when you are trying to enjoy your time. Apart from the obvious time-consuming activity, a spinning umbrella is also dangerous for you and your loved ones.
Why do patio umbrellas spin?
The most common reason that a patio umbrella spins is because the hole in the table that the pole goes into is too big. This gap between the table and the shaft means that the umbrella will lean at an angle on the patio table, rubbing the table, scratching the finish off, or even making annoying noises.
1. Locate and tighten the bolt
Another common way of fixing this issue is to find the bolt which secures the umbrella. You might want to check it for a simple reason – if you have used the umbrella for some time, this bolt can become quite loose. This is a common cause if you have frequent winds which can cause your umbrella to move slightly and loosen the bolt.
Another reason that might cause the bolt to be loose is if the person installing it did not tighten it appropriately the first time. This will cause your umbrella to spin and create unpleasantries. So, go ahead and check the bolt – if it is tight and you still have this issue, have a look in the next sections.
2. Use a cone
One of the easiest fixes for a spinning umbrella is to get a cone. A cone is a small, smart device that, once placed on the umbrella shaft, and connected to the table and the umbrella, fills in the previous gap, which may have caused your umbrella initially to swing awkwardly.
The cone is also known as a wedge or stabilizer. It is often made with rubber and it is inexpensive. However, because it is made of rubber, this might only cause the umbrella to stand straight without leaning, allowing it to keep spinning.
Nonetheless, a cone would be worth a try because it will prevent the umbrella from scratching the finish off the table. It would also make sure the umbrella is perfectly straight and centered and avoid any potential damage to the umbrella pole. A cone is also useful if you have problems with rattling noises or vibrations. Additionally, it will keep any items from falling down through the gap.
3. Double-check table rings
All patio umbrellas come with some type of plastic rings placed around the hole opening. The stock ones are sometimes of poor quality, which can suffer from wear and tear relatively quickly, but might also happen over the years if the umbrella is in direct sun.
These problems can cause the table rings to become damaged, crack, and they are virtually useless in the end. You can replace these rings, although most people recommend to just purchase a cone, as stated above. If you have a cone, you do not need to replace these plastic rings, as the umbrella wedge will definitely fix this issue.
4. Use a patio umbrella base
Some people think that having just a cone, without a high-quality umbrella base, might help them save money and have a perfectly functional patio umbrella. This is not the case, as a rubber cone cannot replace a good umbrella base.
The main reason is that the rubber cone will definitely not withstand any amount of wind, leaving your umbrella completely vulnerable. In this case, it is recommended that you purchase a high-quality umbrella base that is suitable for the size of your umbrella. Additionally, place the cone for higher stability, but do not attempt to avoid the umbrella base as it is essential.
Other alternatives
If none of these work for you, especially the cone and the umbrella base, there are still a few other options. You can attempt to secure the pole, especially for a cantilever umbrella, which is a free-standing model, by placing a bulky object to support the pole, so it stops spinning.
The last alternative might be to use bungee cords to secure your umbrella, although this option should be avoided if possible because it can damage your umbrella. Wrap a bungee cord around the umbrella’s pole and attach it to a longer bungee cord.
The larger cord then needs to be stretched to the canopy center and connected to the frame. Apart from potentially damaging your umbrella, this could also be quite visually unappealing.
Wrapping up
Overall, spinning umbrellas can be not only annoying but also quite unsafe. Make sure you first check the bolt and tighten it, or you can use a cone/wedge if necessary. Also, keep in mind that a proper base is essential. Now you know how to stop the patio umbrella from spinning so you do not have to worry about that irritating inconvenience ever again.
