I've got a 4.5x2 metre polytunnel, the sort that is a bunch of not very large bore white tubes as a frame with a cover that has the square mesh in it.... It's only a year old but one of the seams has pretty much let go in the wind. What's the best way to repair (I've taken it down, it's get re-erected on my allotment). Is it worth trying to sew it in situ or would I be better off with tape? I really want to get another summer out of this cover if I can.
chrisc
You can buy clear waterproof tape about 2"wide - try a superstore like B&Q - and put a piece along the tear inside and outside as well and that should do it - has worked for me in the past. Works on cracked windows too.
Many thanks.... I think I know the stuff...
chrisc
We have one of them. Bought it last year. I must say you get what you pay for and with this it's not a lot at all.
I think I shall be saving up my pennies for a more substantial one !!!!!
Not recommended at all
Try Polytunnel Repair tape - It's made for the job , comes in various widths and can be bought from e-bay fairly cheaply (around £3 for 30m ).
I've had a couple of these, a very flimsy green one from Ebay that lasted one season, and a much sturdier Gardman one from a garden centre that has just started to split after 2 weeks [Grrr!]. Tried various sticky tapes on the old one, and found that the silver waterproof Duck tape was best. If you can afford the genuine stuff I wouldnt bother with tape from pound shops or Ebay as some are rubbish, and you won't know until its too late!
Yes, you're right Lewic, the silvery duct tape from Poundland doesn't last 3 months - the adhesive dries out to a ppwder and the wind makes the loose tape lash the cover...
The clear tape from Wickes has good adhesive, though it starts to suffer UV damage after a year.
If you only want to get an extra 18 months out of it then the Wickes clear tape is probably the most cost-effective option.
I've also got some aluminium foil tape from Poundland but I haven't tried it yet.
If I could get a battery-powered pressing iron (or glue gun) I could weld some fresh polythene on for a more permanent job. I suppose it wouldn't take much of an inverter to run a glue gun but the 750W for an iron is out of my price range!
Actually I read decades ago (Scientific American) that polythene melt is the perfect adhesive for aluminium - and it really works - it's a combination which should be immune to UV and everything else.
If I could predict the hotspots perfectly for my next cover I could iron a bacofoil and polythene sandwich on before installing it. Impossible dream! but if my tunnel was nearer home I could mark it in situ and take it back to reinforce. Difficult on a pushbike.
Definitely worth a try if yours is in your garden - or if you have a van.
Cheers.
^^ well, my cheapo polytunnel has a split seam in the wind so, having read the post above, I've been to Wickes today for their All Weather tape.
I can confirm that it is indeed the dog's danglies and an absolute bargain at £5.99 for a 20m roll :o :o
Still you get what you pay for I guess. Thank you.
If I could get a battery-powered pressing iron (or glue gun) I could weld some fresh polythene on for a more permanent job. I suppose it wouldn't take much of an inverter to run a glue gun but the 750W for an iron is out of my price range!
Would one of these girly appliances do? http://www.boots.com/en/Babyliss-Pro-Cordless-Ceramic-Gas-Curling-Tong_230162/
They get pretty hot and you could probably pick up a cheapo version for less than a tenner.