Yurt Maintenance Guide: Caring for Your Fabric, Frame and Dome
A well-built yurt needs surprisingly little maintenance, but a little regular attention goes a long way. A few hours each spring and fall keeps the fabric clean, the frame tight and the platform dry, and can add years to the life of your yurt cover. This guide explains what to check, how often and which mistakes to avoid.
How Long Does a Yurt Last?
A yurt has two very different parts. The wooden frame – lattice wall, rafters, ring and door – is built to last for decades, much like the frame of a traditional home. The fabric cover is exposed to sun, rain, snow and wind, and like a roof it eventually wears out. In our experience the fabric cover lasts from about 8 to 15 years, depending on sun exposure, climate, tree cover and care. Shade, regular cleaning and prompt repairs all push that number toward the upper end.
Spring Checklist
Spring is the most important time for maintenance, after the stress of a New England winter.
- Walk around the outside. Look for tears, abrasion or loose seams in the roof, wall and valance, especially where branches or snow may have rubbed.
- Clean the fabric. Wash the roof and walls to remove winter grime, pollen and sap (see below).
- Check the tension cable. Make sure the cable is seated at the top of the lattice and properly tensioned.
- Inspect the dome. Look for cracks, check the fasteners and straps, and clean the acrylic.
- Look at the platform edge. Make sure water drips clear of the platform and that the edge seal is intact.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and clean the stove pipe if you burned wood over the winter.
Cleaning the Fabric Cover
Keeping your yurt clean is easy. Mild soap, warm water, a soft brush or sponge and a garden hose are all you need.
- Rinse the surface with a hose to remove loose dirt and debris.
- Wash with a mild soap solution and a soft brush, working in sections.
- Rinse thoroughly so no soap residue is left on the fabric.
- Let the yurt dry completely, ideally on a sunny, breezy day.
Avoid pressure washers, harsh detergents, bleach and solvents. They can damage the fabric coating and shorten its life. In areas with lots of trees, you may need to clean more often to remove sap, leaves and bird droppings before they stain.
Caring for the Wood
Lattice, rafters and ring
Our lattice, rafters and ring are finished with a penetrating oil. Indoors, they mostly need dusting and an occasional look for loose bolts or signs of moisture. Check that the lattice bolts are snug and that no rafters have shifted out of their sockets in the ring.
The door
The door and frame take the most weather. Be sure to protect your wooden doors from the elements with a fresh coat of stain or polyurethane as needed. Check the weather gasket and door sweep, and adjust the hinges if the door starts to stick.
The Dome
Clean the acrylic dome with mild soap and water and a soft cloth; avoid abrasive pads and ammonia-based cleaners, which can scratch or cloud the surface. Check the dome's fasteners and straps each season. If you have a dome lifter, operate it a few times to make sure it moves smoothly.
Fall Checklist
- Clear leaves and debris from the roof and around the base of the wall.
- Trim branches that hang over the yurt or could rub against the fabric in a storm.
- Install window insulation panels and the dome insulation cover if you use them.
- Check the snow and wind kit hardware if your yurt has one.
- Have your stove and chimney inspected and cleaned before the heating season.
- Stack firewood under cover and away from the yurt wall.
- Protect water lines from freezing, or drain them if the yurt will be unheated.
Winter Care
Keep the yurt heated during storms when you can, so snow slides off the roof. Clear heavy accumulations with a soft roof rake, never with shovels or sharp tools, and keep the base of the wall free of drifts. If you leave the yurt unheated for the winter, check it after big storms. For more, read living in a yurt in winter.
Preventing Mildew
Mildew needs moisture and still air. Ventilate the yurt regularly, even in cold weather, keep furniture a few inches from the wall, use vented appliances and dry wet gear outside when possible. If mildew appears, clean it promptly with mild soap and water and let the area dry fully. Placing the yurt where it gets some sun and breeze also helps; see how to choose a yurt site.
Repairs
Small holes and tears in the fabric can often be repaired on site, and our ProTech™ wall fabric is designed to be repairable. Repair damage promptly before wind and water make it worse. For larger damage or a worn-out cover, contact us about repair or replacement options.
The Platform
The platform is the foundation of your yurt, so keep it dry and sound. Look under it once a year for standing water, rot, pest activity and settling footings. Keep vegetation trimmed back so air can circulate. If you have an attached deck, make sure it still drains properly and stays lower than the yurt floor. Our platform guide explains why that matters.
A Simple Maintenance Calendar
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Every month | Quick look at fabric and dome; ventilate; check alarms |
| Spring | Wash fabric, inspect cable and seams, clean dome, check platform edge |
| Summer | Watch for sap and debris; open the dome lifter and windows for ventilation |
| Fall | Clear debris, trim branches, install insulation panels, service the stove |
| Winter | Manage snow with a soft roof rake; keep the base of the wall clear |
| As needed | Refinish the door; repair small tears promptly |
Conclusion
Yurt maintenance is simple: keep the fabric clean, the frame snug, the dome clear and the platform dry, and deal with small problems before they become big ones. A little care each season protects your investment and keeps your yurt looking its best for years. Learn more about the materials we use on our features page, or browse more answers in the yurt FAQ.
Plan Your Yurt with White Mountain Yurts
Every White Mountain Yurt is hand-built in New Hampshire. Compare our 16' to 30' yurt models, see the standard and optional features, or price your yurt in the online calculators.