How to Maintain a Steel Building

Pre-engineered steel buildings are popular for several reasons, among the first of which are durability and ease of assembly. Depending on the size of the building, a steel building can be put together within a day. It will last a long time after that.

However, although a steel building is built to last a long time, it’s important to maintain it to ensure that longevity. Here are some tips on how to keep your steel building standing for years to come:

Safety

Before anything else, take care of yourself when maintaining the building. Some safety precautions to note before proceeding to maintenance:

• Never climb a ladder without assistance from someone who can keep it steady. Use a ladder that’s without damage. Fasten or secure the ladder to the building when the ladder is on level ground. Make sure it extends to at least 3 feet above the building’s roofline.
• Never walk on the roof if it’s wet.
• Stay on the panel valleys or on the locations of the screws that keep panels and purlins together. Avoid walking on the raised ribs or on anything translucent. Don’t walk on or press against skylights. 
• Always wear the right gear, such as heavy-duty work boots with rubber soles for better traction.
• If you have no experience, or are not comfortable with heights, always call a professional to do the work.

Schedule

The location, climate, and pollution levels all play a part in how often you should maintain red iron steel buildings and other types of metal buildings. For example, if it’s located near the ocean, corrosion can be a problem, so schedule a more frequent maintenance system. Consider inspecting every three to six months. If it’s located in an area with very high pollution, humidity, or dryness, it will also need frequent maintenance. 

For buildings located in temperate zones, far from the coastline, and with low humidity and pollution, maintenance can be done once a year. However, wherever you’re located, if a storm hits, schedule maintenance immediately when the weather is better.

What to Do

• Use a gentle detergent and soft rags or sponges to clean the roof panels and the walls. Rinse with a low-pressure water spray, then allow to air dry.
• Rid fan blades of dust and debris.
• Inspect power vents.
• Buff off small scratches. For deep scratches, call a professional painter or have the affected panels replaced.
• Retighten fasteners.
• Remove standing water and debris from the roof, gutters, and downspouts.
• Replace any components that have worn or are too old. 
• Lubricate door rollers, and others.
• Do not leave anything that’s leaning on the metal panels.

For safety and accuracy, it’s best to call a professional to do the maintenance for your steel building.

Get in touch with Metal Warehouse, Inc. Call us today at (903) 465-6699, or contact us here if you would like to find out more about our services and our products.