Metal buildings boast of faster occupancy and low maintenance. More or less, they can be constructed two-thirds the time it takes to complete conventional structures. This is a result of using building components, especially the metal walls and roof, which have been pre-panted at the factory.
Pre-finished metal walls for metal buildings are long lasting and require minimum maintenance and repair.
To further prolong the life of metal panels and prevent damage, there are certain things you need to remember.
During construction of metal buildings, owners must ensure that the wall panels are NOT in contact with sources of moisture, which would accelerate corrosion. For example, ground level should be at least 150 mm below the panels. Vegetation is another source of moisture. You may want to have plants and shrubs to surround your metal building but never let them touch the metal panels to prevent scratches and corrosion.
For those who want to assemble their own metal buildings, never use lead pencils to make markings on metal panels. Lead pencils or those made with graphite help accelerate corrosion of the metal. Use masking tape instead. Besides, masking tape is easier to see than pencil markings.
Do not place any equipment or open water storage tanks near or adjacent to metal panels. They can cause moisture build-up on or near the panels. It is also wise to avoid the following conditions:
· Water run-off from air conditioning units
· Steam outlets
· Acid storage
· Copper pipes fastened to steel panels
Yesterday’s post talked about cleaning the outside walls of metal buildings. What should you do for minor damages?
Minor damage to metal sheets should be repaired immediately to prevent it from worsening. First, lightly abrade the affected area. If the base metal is already exposed, apply one coat of zinc chromate primer. Then touch up with one coat of matching paint.
Archive for April 26th, 2012
How to Prevent Damage to Exterior Wall Panels of Metal Buildings
Thursday, April 26th, 2012Tags: Metal building maintenance
Posted in Steel Buildings | No Comments »
Cleaning Exterior Wall Panels of Metal Buildings
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Metal buildings have really arrived, considering the number of applications that have been built with this type of construction. The popularity of metal buildings stems from the many benefits they offer, which cannot be achieved with conventional construction. The most attractive of these is their cost-effectiveness and low maintenance.
Take the case of metal wall panels. Wall panels of metal buildings may last for at least 40 years and require minimal maintenance, resulting in a lot of savings in costs.
If you think that the outside wall panels of your metal building need cleaning, then read on.
What you need:
- Ladder
- Hose
- Clean potable water
- Mild detergent
- Soft nylon brush
- Mineral spirits (optional)
Precautions:
When using ladders, make sure they are secured to the metal buildings and placed on a firm base. Never use abrasive cleaners. They may damage the paint and zinc layers on the metal panels of metal buildings.
Procedure:
If sand and dust have already accumulated on the outside walls, remove these with clean potable water and a soft nylon brush. Sand and dust promotes moisture retention, which would lead to the breakdown of the paint and the protective zinc layers of the metal panels. If this happens, corrosion will start. Use the ladder to start from the highest and make your way to the lowest. As a final rinse, hose the walls down with potable water.
However, for metal buildings located close to marine environments and in industrial areas where pollution is high, water alone will not do the job. To remove the dirt and grime and maybe, saline deposits that stuck to the wall panels, add mild detergent to the initial wash. As usual, use a soft nylon brush to gently clean the surface. Use mineral spirits, followed by a detergent solution to remove oil, grease, tar or wax. As usual, rinse with clean potable water.
Cleaning the outside wall panels of metal buildings is easy and you don’t have to do it very often. If you think the job is too much for you to do, you can hire a professional to do it for you.
Tags: Maintenance of metal buildings
Posted in Steel Buildings | No Comments »