Why Is My Awning Leaking Water?

Awning leaks usually come down to one of three things: degraded fabric coating, a fitting that’s worked loose over time, or an incorrect pitch angle that lets water pool instead of drain. The good news is that most causes are easy to spot and fix without calling anyone out.

What You’ll Need

Tools

• Ladder (suitable for working at height safely)
• Hose or watering can (for testing)
• Screwdriver set
• Tape measure
• Soft brush or cloth

Materials / Replacement Parts

• Waterproofing spray or re-proofing treatment (compatible with your fabric type)
• Exterior-grade silicone sealant
• Replacement fabric panel (if torn or beyond treatment)
• Replacement wall fixings or brackets (if corroded or loose)
• Awning repair tape (for small tears as a temporary fix)

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How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Find Where the Water Is Actually Coming From

Before touching anything, watch where the leak starts during rain, or simulate it with a hose. This saves a lot of guesswork.

• Run water slowly across different sections of the fabric while someone watches from below
• Check where the awning arm meets the wall bracket, this junction fails more often than people expect
• Look at the top edge where the awning fixes to the wall, failed sealant here causes leaks that look like fabric problems
• Mark any wet spots with tape or chalk so you don’t lose track when it dries

Step 2: Check the Fabric Condition

Awning fabric loses its waterproof coating over time. Even fabric that looks fine can let water through once the treatment wears off.

• Run your hand across the underside of the fabric when wet. Water beading off means the coating is working. Water soaking in means it isn’t.
• Look for thin patches, pinholes, or areas where the fabric has gone stiff or cracked
• Small tears can be patched with awning repair tape as a short-term fix
• If the coating is gone across most of the fabric, re-proofing spray will restore it. Apply on a dry day and let it cure fully before testing.
• Large tears or fabric that’s disintegrating need a full panel replacement

Step 3: Check the Frame, Brackets, and Wall Fixings

Water often gets in at the point where the awning meets the building, not through the fabric at all.

• Look at the top rail or cassette where it attaches to the wall. Any gap between the fixing plate and the wall surface is a way in for water.
• Press along the sealant line with your finger. Cracked or shrunken sealant should be removed and replaced with fresh exterior silicone.
• Check every bracket and fixing point for rust or corrosion. Corroded fixings can shift, creating gaps they didn’t have when first fitted.
• Tighten any loose screws. If a fixing point is stripped or corroded through, replace it before resealing.

Step 4: Adjust the Pitch and Test

If the fabric is sound and the fixings are tight but you’re still getting pooling, the awning angle is the problem. Fabric awnings need a minimum pitch to shed water properly.

• Most awnings should sit at around 15 to 20 degrees of drop from wall to leading edge. Anything flatter and water sits rather than runs.
• Check your awning’s adjustment mechanism. Most manual and electric arms have a pitch setting that can be altered without tools or with a basic spanner.
• Once adjusted, test with a hose at the top of the fabric and watch how quickly water clears the leading edge.
• If water still pools in a specific spot, check whether the fabric has sagged or stretched in that area, which can create low points even on a correctly pitched awning.