Search by Keyword

Search by Keyword


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 We will be happy to answer any questions either with an email to kountryb@gmail.com  or a phone call to 918-647-6464

TARPS:

WHAT IS A POLY TARP MADE OF?

        Most of our heavy duty tarps are made from polyethylene that has been treated to be waterproof, rot-proof and resistant to UV rays and mildew. Polyethylene enables our tarps to be versatile and affordable for a variety of uses.


WHAT IS THE MEANING OF MIL THICKNESS?

        A mil determines the thickness of a tarp. The higher the mils, the thicker and better the tarp will be. A mil is the unit length that is equal to 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm).

WHAT DOES "ROPE REINFORCEMENT" IN THE TARP MEAN?

       
There is a rope that is placed inside hems of the tarp. This adds strength to the tarp edge.


WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CUT SIZE AND FINSHED SIZE?

        Cut size is when the tarp is first cut. Finished size is once the tarp edges are folded and hemmed for the grommets. It usually takes 3-6" for this process so the tarp will actually be approximately 3-6" smaller than the cut size. This is industry standard.

WHY ARE THE TARPS 4-6 INCHES LESS THAN THE LISTED SIZE?


     
   In the tarpaulin industry there is what is referred to as the cut size and finish size of tarps. The cut size is the dimension of the tarp before the grommets and hems are installed. After the implementation of the grommets, you can expect that the finish size will be 4-6 inches less in both directions. On canopy frames this is referred to as a classic or standard fit. The tarp edge will sit back away from the edge of the frame 3-4 inches. This also gives the room so ball bungees can be used.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATER RESISTANT TARPS AND WATERPROOF TARPS?

        Waterproof tarps block water penetration completely, whereas water resistant tarps resist water temporarily. Standing water may seep through water resistant tarps over a period of time.

ARE ALL POLY TARPS WATERPROOF?

       
Yes, All of our poly tarps are waterproof, rot proof and mildew resistant. Made of polyethylene fibers, the poly tarp is laminated with a heavy coating during the manufacturing process and all seams are heat sealed. The lamination process completely seals the tarp and prevents any water from coming through. During rains or morning hours you may see some moisture due to condensation. This is not water leaking through the fabric and is perfectly normal for poly fabrics. Polyethylene is also naturally resistant to mold, mildew and rot. This is one of the common characteristics that have made the poly tarp popular among consumers.

IS FLAME RETARDANT SAME AS FIRE PROOF?

          No. Please go to California Fire Marshall website for more information and definitions of term

WHICH TARP COLOR BLOCKS OUT THE SUN THE BEST?


        Although all of our tarps with the exception of the blue utility tarps(light duty) and Camo tarps(medium duty) are considered heavy-duty, the silver tarp is the best color for total sun block. Comprised exactly the same way as all the other heavy-duty poly tarps, the silver tarp has an added feature for eliminating sun penetration. Each silver tarp has what is called a black scrim layer placed between the laminated sheets of plastic. This scrim layer prevents any light from penetrating the fabric. All of the other heavy-duty poly tarps allow the natural sunlight to come through the fabric while still providing 95% UV protection.

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY TARP?

        Once you have ensured they are dry, simply fold them up and keep them in a cool, dry area. Make sure they are kept out of direct sunlight and away from heat.


WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A POLY TARP?
       
        A poly tarp usually lasts 1 - 4 years in low and medium UV areas in US. In high UV and high heat areas such as Florida, California and Arizona, poly tarps usually last much shorter. Also depends on weather conditions such as wind, storms and lightning.

WHAT SHOULD I USE TO TIE DOWN MY TARP? 

       
You can find a selection of Ball Bungees available on our website. Sizes are as follows:
                    3/4" fittings use 6" ball bungees
                    1" fittings use 6" ball bungees
                    1 3/8" fittings use 9" ball bungees
                    1 5/8" fittings use 11" ball bungees
        The use of fixed, rigid ties such as rope, zip ties and wire are strongly discouraged as they can cause excessive strain on the grommets. Without elasticity, the grommets and tarp fabric will tear.

CAN I USE A CANVAS OR VINYL TARP FOR MY CANOPY FRAME? 

We recommend that the poly cover be used fOr canopy frames. Canvas tarps have a tendency to expand and contract in cold and hot weather. This can cause problems with the load capacity of the canopy and may lead to collapse. Vinyl tarps are only good in moderate climates and do not respond well to extreme heat or cold. Furthermore, the vinyl tarp will begin to stiffen and crack in temperatures below 40 degrees. The Poly tarp is by far the best all season cover for canopy frames. The lightweight, durable material has arctic flexibility and does not stretch in hot temperatures.

FITTINGS/CANOPIES:

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SNOW LOAD CAPABLE CANOPY?

If you live in areas that receive seasonal snow and heavy rains, we suggest you purchase a canopy that is built for these conditions. We supply many different canopy types and knowing which ones are snow load capable is helpful. A snow load canopy can withstand roughly 200 pounds of pressure per square foot. Snow load canopies generally come with a minimum of an 1-5/8 inch frame with rafter spacing no less than 47 inches apart. The top cover for a snow load canopy must also be no less than 9 ounces per square yard in weight. The close rafter spacing in combination with the heavy diameter frame and cover will allow the structure to withstand extreme seasonal weather conditions.



SHIPPING:

WILL YOU COMBINE SHIPPING ON MULTIPLE ORDERS?

         We are happy to combine shipping to be able to save our customers money.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE MY ORDER TO SHIP?

        Generally it takes 2 days to get an order processed and shipped. Sometimes for larger tarps it might take an extra day or 2.

CAN YOU RUSH MY ORDER?


        Yes, in some/most cases we can expedite orders. Please feel free to ask for the cost of expedited shipping. But we do not guarantee any ship date as that is the delivery companies responsibility.

WHAT SHIPPING METHODS DO YOU USE?

        We use several different carriers. For most smaller items we ship via USPS Priority Mail. We also use Fed Ex and UPS for larger packages and for expedited shipments.  For Large orders we typically ship via Estes Freight. We can use any freight carrier if you have a prefered company.


RETURNS, CANCELLATIONS, WARRANTIES:

IS THERE A WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE ON OUR ITEMS?

        No, there is no warranty or guarantee on our items. Due to several factors such as application/attachment and environment/weather there is no warranty or guarantee.

CAN I RETURN A TARP ONCE THE PACKAGE HAS BEEN OPENED?

        Unfortunately No, We cannot accept returns on opened tarps. Once the original package has been opened we are unable to resale the item. It is important that you read all item descriptions before finalizing your purchase. The only exception is if the product has a manufacturer defect. If this is the case then we must be contacted within 10 business days. We will ask for pictures of the defect to review. 

WHAT IF I ORDERED THE WRONG SIZE OR COLOR?

        After placing an order with us, you realize that you ordered the wrong color, size or item number, please contact us immediately.  If the order has not been shipped, we will make the adjustments to your order and charge or refund the appropriate amount. In the event that the order has already shipped, you must wait for the order to arrive and pay for the return shipping. Once the item is received back, then the customer will be refunded minus original shipping cost and a 20% restocking fee.

HOW DO I CHANGE OR CANCEL MY ORDER?

        If you would like to cancel or change your order please contact us at 918-647-6464. All changes and cancellations must be made prior to the shipment leaving our facility. Once the merchandise has left our facility, we will be unable to makes any changes. The package will then need to be received and then shipped back to us at your expense. Once the item is received back then the customer will be refunded minus original shipping cost and a 20% restocking fee.

WHAT IF MY MERCHANDISE WAS DAMAGED OR LOST DURING SHIPMENT?


        If upon receipt of the merchandise, you notice that the item(s) were damaged, either refuse the package or have the driver make note of the damage by starting a damage claim. We will not replace any damaged or lost merchandise if the packages are signed for as complete and damage free. Please contact us immediately if damaged or lost merchandise is discovered.


MISC:

DO I HAVE TO PAY SALES TAX ON MY ORDER?

         Normal tax rates apply for Arizona residents only. All orders shipped outside of Arizona will be void of any tax charges.

I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT DESIGNING A CANOPY FRAME - CAN YOU HELP ME WITH WHAT IS NEEDED?
       
        You can look at our diagrams on our Home page for the fittings needed for different canopy designs. If you need assistance you can give us a call or email us and we will be happy to help.

WILL YOU GIVE A DISCOUNT FOR QUANTITY?

        We will be happy to offer a discount on Large orders. Please email or call us for a quantity needed to get info on a discount.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

        We accept all major payment types including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express,  Pay Pal and Zelle. We also accept money orders and company checks. All orders paid with money order or company check will be shipped once the payment has been received and processed in our bank. We do not ship C.O.D or provide any type of payment terms. All items must be fully paid for before leaving our facility.

 

Copyright © Golden Valley Tools & Tarps Golden Valley, Arizona
kountryb@gmail.com