Are you worried that your metal building might collapse and cause damage to your prized boat, in-progress car project, or even injure your animals? Questioning if your day-to-day care isn’t enough – or might be harming your metal building? We can help you stay on top of your metal building’s health and keep it standing solid for years to come!
You might wonder, ‘How long do metal buildings last?’ The answer is that they can last for more than 50 years if they are well-maintained. If you don’t keep up with maintenance, they might get sent to the scrap heap in half that time – if you’re lucky! So, there’s no time like today to get started on your metal carport, shed, or garage maintenance!
1. Perform a Complete Inspection Regularly
When you want to prevent catastrophe, you must pay attention to all the little details. A regular metal building inspection is not as in-depth as a home inspection but is just as critical. Twice a year, you should do a slow walk around and inside your metal building, paying particular attention as you look for:
- Dents and scratches in the walls and roof
- Rust on walls, roof, and hinges or fasteners
- Loose or rusted bolts and screws
- Peeling paint or sealant
Many of these issues can be cosmetic and dealt with by a quick run to the hardware store, but keeping track of problem areas is very important to ensure that your metal building maintenance habits are in tune with your building. When your building sees a lot of moisture or is near trees that can cause dents and scratches, you will want to plan and deal with problems ahead of time.
2. Check Your Building’s Roof
The roof of your structure is the first line of defense against rainwater and storm damage and often takes the brunt of these threats. Because of this, you should take the time to ensure that the metal roofing isn’t showing signs of damage and wear.
This wear-and-tear can take the form of rust, peeling sealant or paint, dents, and scratches. Often, these kinds of issues can be solved by a fresh layer of sealant, but call your metal building installation company for in-depth maintenance advice and services.
When you inspect your roof, take the time to carefully ensure that water is properly draining off the eaves and away from your metal building’s foundation. Your roof is designed to shunt water off and away from your foundation and inside, providing protection that ensures your building’s concrete foundation isn’t threatened by erosion or water damage.
3. Clean the Exterior Regularly
You might find cleaning metal buildings tedious, but it’s a meaningful way to prevent rust, check for leaks, and ensure debris doesn’t pile up on your roof. Power-washing is often the go-to for cleaning a metal building because the durable metal sides and panels can withstand the force and moisture, while debris, dirt, and grime can’t! So when you take out the cleaning equipment for your car, put it to work on your carport!
Care for metal buildings should include inspections inside and out. Check inside for any leaks or holes where water may have penetrated. Rusted, corroded, and eroded metal can have pin-prick holes that you might not see with the naked eye. Also, ensure that your building’s gutters and downspouts are clear, as blockages can cause water or snow to build up on your roof and threaten to collapse your metal barn or shed!
4. Maintain the HVAC System
You might not have an HVAC system for your metal building, but installing one is one of the best metal structure maintenance tips! HVAC systems are not standard in metal buildings, but they can provide your building with moisture control, temperature control, and air circulation. These three benefits of an HVAC system in your metal building can be invaluable depending on if you use it for storing animals, plants, workshop equipment, or nearly any other kind of supplies.
Check your HVAC filters regularly and replace them as needed. This routine maintenance can help prevent mold, as well as ensure an efficient system. Regular replacement of filters also helps prevent the buildup of dust and debris throughout your building’s ducts and surfaces. Regular HVAC maintenance can prevent costly repairs, ensure efficiency, and promote a more comfortable, well-maintained metal building.
5. Oil Door and Window Hinges
Imagine walking through the doors of your house and hearing them squeak or opening a window and dealing with a loud screech. This annoyance isn’t just a problem for your ears, but those noises are signs of scraping, vibrating, and experiencing friction that can all cause long-term damage if not dealt with. The door to your metal building should be cared for like your home’s door – with a good spritz of your go-to lubricating oil.
Care for metal buildings is much like caring for your home. You should approach it the same way. Consider what would be uncomfortable or annoying to deal with day after day, and take the time to manage the issue. While the benefits to your building’s lifespan might be small, the impact on your comfort and access is invaluable!
6. Reseal and Recoat Regularly
If you’ve noticed the paint or powder coating of your metal building begins to peel, then it’s time to reapply! Most protective layers like powder coatings or spray coatings should be reapplied every decade or so. Care for metal buildings can be less intense because the metal of your building is so durable, but even stainless steel can experience long-term damage from UV radiation, weather, and physical damage.
Most metal buildings are made with powder-coated metal sheets or are treated with a sealant after installation. This protective layer ensures that your building will be beautiful and sturdy for decades to come – as long as you take the time to keep up-to-date with this layer that does the critical work of protecting metal buildings from rust.
Have More Questions? Call Newmart for Metal Building Maintenance!
A collapsing building of any size and type can be expensive, dangerous, and a long-term hassle for everyone involved. When you have a metal building, you know that the cost of replacing it would be far more than simply maintaining it through a little bit of effort.
And if your building is too far gone and it’s time to seek a replacement, call us! We are always happy to help redesign and rebuild from the bottom up! We have more than 20 years of experience providing the East Coast with top-tier metal building construction that is sure to impress. We can’t wait to hear from you!
