How to fix a broken patio umbrella

[@mindose]

This is GREAT, Mark!

[@MarkSturgell]

Melinda Ehrlich thank you. I think this is my one and only How To video and I have a fan!

[@nrgxpert]

Mark, Thanks for the good idea. I followed the advice on how to re-install a new cord on a different KZbin video. I took apart the crank mechanism, removed the old broken cord, which by the way had broken inside at the tilt mechanism. I then cut a new cord at the correct length. I finally tried with difficulty to push the cord through. It seemed really simple in the other video. Then, a light went on. My umbrella has a tilt mechanism and after watching the other video again, their umbrella is just a straight tube all the way between the crank shaft and top pulley. They do NOT show how to re-string the most common outdoor umbrella being sold today. It must take special threading tools. Thanks to you, I will keep my one year old tilting umbrella and be down only one allen wrench.

[@nrgxpert]

I figured out how to repair a broken cord on an umbrella with a tilt mechanism. You take apart the crank, as per the repair videos of straight shaft umbrellas, but then you also have to take off the top cap and then separate the two halves of the tilting hinge. This is accomplished with a small allen wrench (I think I used 4mm). The push button is spring loaded, so don't be surprised if the spring flies out. It took me 15 minutes to find it in the lawn grass. Then, I used a stiff stranded copper wire with the cord attached at one end using one of the copper strands to push the wire up the upper section of the pole through the upper hinge section. Then, I fished the cord (from the top) through the pulley. After that, I fished the remaining long piece of cord using the stiff wire through the bottom pole section from the lower hinge to where the crank used to be. From that point, it's just a matter of attaching the cord to the crank shaft as shown in the other repair videos and proceeding to re-attach all the parts, including the tilting hinge. It's definitely worth repairing a $200 umbrella with a $0.50 new cord, but if this had been an old, cheap umbrella I would have just bought a new one...or better yet, used your idea of using the allen wrench as a locking mechanism.

[@jhonnyx9104]

This is why I love KZbin! Took about 15 minutes and saved me $100 for a new umbrella. Thanks Mark.

[@KansasA]

Thank you! My umbrella was broken when I got it and I had no idea how to restring it. After watching umpteen dozen videos and no solution I was able to get the string to the end but had no idea how it went. I came across your video and now all is well with a large bolt! :D

[@lorraineciniello538]

Thank you Mark Sturgell. You saved me $149. That was an excellent suggestion!

[@hongq556]

Love this solution, it is so simple! I was actually going to re-thread the cord then I found Mark's video and loved it. Drilled a hole and Walsh, the cord will never break again!

[@ines5863]

Omg!!! I just broke mine, and you’re the first video I saw! This is amazing idea!! I will definitely do the same!!! I canoed my umbrella to much and their went the dang rope!! Thank you!!!

[@christymyers1329]

This is genius! So frustrating to buy a nice umbrella and it be so cheaply made. I was ready to buy a new for the same reason. Now I’m gonna try this! Thank you!

[@MarkSturgell]

Christy Myers Mine still works perfectly three years after I made this video.

[@GreysonNett]

Thank you so much!! My family is having a Fourth of July cook out today and all of a sudden the umbrella wouldn’t go up! This is a great quick fix for until we get a new one. You saved the 4th!

[@marybowden1384]

This was unbelivable easy fix. I used a large hook eye screw. Thanks so much. I love my umbrella and it would cost $100 to replace. Also i just got done fixing the arms that broke at the support joints. I ran a flat rod in each end and then drilled, placed a screw and nut.

[@froydisabrazukas7023]

Being a 83 year old woman this finally fixed my problem after spending a couple of hours trying to replace the rope and not getting it down inside the pole because of the bend.

[@mikeg3774]

For those who ended up stuck with one of these poorly made umbrellas this is a good fix. It's not a matter of if, but when it will fail. I agree, Mark. Apply this fix and be done. Any cords replaced will just keep breaking (but only if you use it).

[@philipsdefreville6138]

Thanks Mark, this worked perfectly. I tried re-stringing and it was impossible. I went looking to buy a new umbrella this morning but walked out of the store empty-handed as I did not want to spend $300.

[@niravshah111]

haha.. excellent hack - Creative and Effective! I watched multiple videos on - how to re-string but after watching your way, looks like re-stringing is not worth it! I will try this one...

[@mrscammack]

Thank you Sir. I was propping my umbrella open on the fence.

[@MarkSturgell]

This quick fix is still working three years after making this video so we’ve not had to replace an otherwise very nice patio umbrella.

[@isharahettiarachchi620]

Mark Sturgell hiya can you show me how you install the string with like the two balls. Because when i spin the crank it doesnt open

[@MarkSturgell]

Ishara Hettiarachchi the whole point of my video is avoiding the difficult solution of fixing the cord. I offer a more straightforward fix that’s been working for years. You might find a video to fix the cord. I don’t think it’s work the trouble.

[@niravshah111]

@@MarkSturgell I watched multiple videos on how to re-string... believe me - it's not worth it! ... I liked your hack! Very Creative ... and Effective! :)

[@MarkSturgell]

Nirav S haha, that’s the same conclusion I made.

[@run68bone]

This is amazing!! I’m going to do it this morning. You is my HERO!!

[@Mottoblasco]

Worked like a charm, thanks for saving my umbrella!

[@LostMyMojo100]

K.I.S.S. fix... Perfect! Also I like how the commentators think you are Dr. Patio Umbrella man! 😆😆😆

[@airassaultj.j.]

Brilliant, this is what I’m going to do. Thank you Sir.

[@MrDragon1990]

i have one that is loose on the part that gos up and down looked for screws now i cant find any normal looking screws to tigjting so what do i do

[@PeteCurley]

You should be President of the United States of America (if that were still a compliment). God bless you child.

[@Tracie252]

I like it. Straight to the point

[@farzanamoraes1420]

That’s a great idea but unfortunately my umbrella has snapped from the top. Can u help me to fix it

[@HD-mm1iz]

This is a great idea. Could you also use something like an O-Clamp to hold open the umbrella?

[@qkcam45]

thank you for this video! I am going to save it for when I need it. I know I will! any idea how to troubleshoot and fix a similar umbrella that has led lights on the ribs? some strings work some dont

[@ricanxali]

Thank you just fixed mine!

[@gzy9988]

Simply brilliant 👏

[@ginagregg6642]

So with this method you will not use the string to open and close it anymore right?

[@MarkSturgell]

That is correct. This avoids the arduous task of replacing the pulley.

[@oldengguy]

I used to do something like this, though I made a wire form from a coat hanger and used it to hook the umbrella up, between the base where the ribs attach up to the pulley hole, and lived with that for a few years, but today I just restrung the cord, and found it wasn't really that bad. What IS bad, though is that my tilt mechanism that looks very similar to yours broke years ago and parts got lost. It seems nobody sells those parts. I have some metallic tape holding the tilt area vertical, which still allows the part with the ribs to raise and lower across it; hopefully it will last awhile. Thanks for the video. I like to see what others are doing.

[@PerotCliff]

Any idea Mark on how to fix the button that allows it to tilt? The spring and the button both came out. I’m not sure what other parts I’m missing.

[@sly2599]

good tip thank you! will be drilling a hole also since it's not the end of season yet and they are not on sale

[@wilfredvega9996]

Can you tell where Can I buy the cranker

[@zzrsteve7934]

I like it! That's what I'm gonna do.

[@beckyb8929]

So basically this takes the string out of the equation and when you close it you have to stick your head up under there and push the hex wrench back in? Mine is stuck in the OPEN position and I can't get the dang thing out of my house - I opened it inside the house to see if I could get the tilt thing to work and now the whole thing is jammed open. Should I just cut the string according to your fix?

[@MarkSturgell]

Well, I’m not an umbrella consultant; I just came up with a solution that has continued to work for me for several years and counting now. I can’t say you’ll like it, but if you cut the string and use this fix, you can close yours, get it out of your house and maybe reduce the bad luck?

[@hogiebb1]

BRILLIANT!

[@bradstudio]

I fixed mine in 15 minutes using a straightened coat hanger with string and tape. It's very simple to fix.

[@charleane00]

Brad Studio but how exactly?

[@fab000]

Also interested to know

[@MarkSturgell]

Yes, it is possible. To me, it was not worth the time or trouble and this solution is still working perfectly almost two years later.

[@brentwarner9440]

@@MarkSturgell I like your fix. I've been trying to fix mine using parachute cord. The problem I'm having is getting it past the tilt joint, lower down than yours. BTW, the cord was $4 from Walmart

[@MarkSturgell]

Brent Warner thank you. I didn’t want to mess with cord fix and for this model it wasn’t a good solution. My fix is still going strong and the umbrella is still in excellent shape three years after the fix. In forget how old the umbrella is.

[@juliebarnaville5279]

Thank you!!

[@angelasmith4785]

My umbrella is stuck open 😢

[@shaunamayer8850]

Very helpful

[@sergeantc4073]

Excellent 👍 idea 💡 But my umbrella tilt lock broke at top.Any suggestions anyone ?

[@beckyb8929]

Mine opens and closes but the tilt no longer works..... can't figure out why.

[@susansykes3492]

how to put back toether tip n tilt after having to unscrew to get new cord through cord now works but cant get tip n tilt to stay upright

[@farrisfuneralservice9397]

So does no one know how to open the crank shaft? Ours is nearly identical to this.

[@joycebreckenridge1315]

Farris Director use a screwdriver to wiggle both ends off. Either up or down. Then plastic cover can be opened.

[@mindose]

There are videos of how to do so on KZbin, but it's fairly complicated to replace and re-thread the cord for people like me!

[@ericduchesne807]

2.32 of loosing time

[@Janusz-um5cv]

👎

[@whosnextforaheadshave]

Thank you Mark. This worked perfectly!!!