Maintenance and Care: How to Keep Your Steel Building Brand New
Our prefabricated steel building kits are engineered to be durable and require minimal maintenance. And to further enhance your peace of mind, we offer comprehensive warranties — including a 50-year structural warranty, a 35-year roof warranty, and a 40-year paint warranty.
But while steel structures are inherently durable, they still require some level of maintenance to ensure longevity and prevent potential structural issues. Neglecting routine maintenance can compromise the lifespan of your building.
Don’t worry — maintaining these buildings is significantly simple and relatively inexpensive. This is one of the reasons why steel building kits are better than traditional construction, no matter the application. In this blog, we will share maintenance and care tips to keep your structure looking its best.
The importance of maintaining your steel building
Armstrong Steel prefabricated steel buildings are strong enough to survive high winds, heavy snowfall, and strong rains. Earthquakes will be the least of your worries, too. However, inclement weather and natural disasters can still affect some aspects of your steel building, making it necessary to check the components and connections to ensure they are intact and nothing is missing. With routine maintenance, you can address problems as soon as possible before they become expensive repairs.
Keep structural problems at bay.
Daily wear and tear can make steel building kits prone to rust, leaks, and corrosion. Over time, these problems can reduce their overall strength and structural integrity.
Keep your building looking great.
At Armstrong Steel, our building consultants do their best to incorporate your design requirements and features when customizing your structure. Our steel building kits can be finished in any material, including walls and roofing, like stucco, brick, and CMU. It’s our way of ensuring your structure aligns with your aesthetic goals, whether it’s a home or a business establishment.
However, it’s up to you to ensure your steel building stays attractive for many years. Our coatings may be covered by a 40-year warranty, but we still recommend routine checks and cleaning to keep your structure looking great. This is particularly important when your steel building is designed to reflect the brand identity of your business or personal style.
Care and maintenance tips to keep your steel building brand new
Schedule annual inspections
Preventative maintenance is important for steel building kits, and the best time to do that is at least once a year with scheduled annual inspections. This should provide opportunities to identify and address issues as they occur, extending the lifespan of your structure and keeping it functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Additionally, annual routine inspections are a chance to examine existing assemblies, windows, doors, and other exterior and interior components. This ensures your building is weather-tight and free from moisture and structural problems.
Conduct thorough inspections after natural events.
Was there an earthquake recently? How about heavy snowfall or a hurricane? Be sure to thoroughly inspect your steel building following these natural events to assess any potential damage. Once everything has calmed down, take the time to inspect damaged or loosened fasteners and physical damage.
Are the fasteners rusty? Scrape off the surface rust and see what’s beneath. A fastener should still be in good condition if the metal appears clean after removing the rust. Otherwise, replace it if it has deteriorated.
Are there missing or loose bolts and screws? This can impact the tensile strength of steel building kits, so be sure to replace or secure them when necessary.
Wash your steel building.
Dirt, grime, grease, and moss can accumulate over time, causing your steel building to look derelict. Plus, they can deteriorate the coatings, leading to signs of wear and tear. The rain can’t wash all of them out, so clean the steel panels and frame regularly. Getting rid of that gunk can also protect your structure from further damage.
Don’t hesitate to ask our building consultants for advice on washing our prefabricated steel buildings. We can recommend methods like spray washers and industrial cleaners to make cleaning a breeze.
Don’t put off repairs.
If you see any damage during routine inspections, repair them right away. Even minor issues like a small hole or a tiny scratch should be dealt with as soon as possible so they don’t become expensive repairs.
Check the insulation
Our steel building kits can be insulated with any material to ensure optimum noise, moisture, and temperature control. Regular checks allow you to verify that the insulation is still in good shape. Otherwise, your building can develop airflow problems and energy loss, leading to high heating and cooling costs.
Inspect the roof periodically.
Periodic roof inspections are key to preventing severe structural problems caused by bad weather, corrosion, and physical damage. Any damage to your roof can invite moisture in and weaken the structural surface. Make sure the fasteners are corrosion-free and secure, and check the drains and gutters for obstructions and other problems.
Keep your steel building clean.
If you need more advice about cleaning our steel building kits, don’t hesitate to ask our friendly and knowledgeable team. Call 1-800-345-4610 for personalized tips.
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