Congratulations On Purchasing A Metal Garage! Keep Up To Date On The Latest, Helpful Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Garage Looking As Good As New.
Do you love your new metal garage? It may look okay now, but minor problems will start creeping up as time goes by. It’s a fact that metal buildings have low maintenance and are durable.
With all the aspects in our lives that demand attention, it’s easy to say, ”I’ll deal with maintenance later.” Lack of maintenance can quickly snowball into large repair issues.
Thankfully, you can learn some maintenance tips to prolong the life of your metal garage. You will avoid the headache of extensive and costly replacements and repairs.
Also, an unattended steel building is a financial liability. When your metal garage falls into disrepair, it becomes a safety hazard on your property. You are responsible for ensuring its safety as part of your business.
Here are helpful maintenance tips for your metal garage to keep it functioning as new.
Begin Right Away
When you first get your metal garage, there are a few maintenance tasks you need to perform. Get rid of any object touching the exterior. Don’t leave any tools, roof panels, or ladders lying around after assembly.
Keep everything away. Unnecessary weight can obscure the surface or strain the building.
There are metal shavings that remain on the roof after drilling holes. Take a soft-bristled broom and sweep them off. They can cause rust because they have a low surface area.
Your metal building should not get in contact with large bushes or hedges. They will push against the wall and prevent air from passing.
In turn, this encourages water to touch the building. It leads to unwanted fungal spreading, such as mold.
Hedges should be a foot away from your steel garage. It will prevent stress on the foundation and the walls.
Tackle Minor Repairs Right Away
Metal garages are designed to withstand the elements. It’s essential to maintain a sturdy and clean appearance.
At first, scratches and small holes may not seem like a cause for concern. But when they get exposed to the elements, they can turn out to be bigger problems. You need to prime and paint scratched exteriors and fill up any small holes to stop further damage.
Also, fix bends as soon as you notice them. Failure to do so may result in leaks within the metal building itself.
If they remain unfixed, they could deteriorate and damage the foundation. It can end up compromising the integrity of the whole building.
When you notice any damage, take action fast. By doing so, problems will not turn out to be big ones. Repairing minor issues takes a few minutes and at a minimal cost.
Perform Routine Check
The same way you inspect your other assets is the same way you should treat your metal garage. Doing regular inspections will help you identify minor imperfections and flaws. Take care of such problems immediately.
You will also know about any problems inside your structure. Take full advantage of having a metal garage as an outdoor office or storage. It’s best to perform routine checks at least twice a year.
Also, immediately after a severe storm, check for holes, dents, or other damage. Hail or wind damage can cause standing water or leaks that may harm the structure of your building. Identifying and repairing minor issues will prevent more significant problems in the future.
Keep It Clean
Metal buildings are prone to greasy residue and airborne dirt. As the residue builds up, it becomes hard to get washed away by rainwater.
Painted metal garages retain chalk after extended exposure to sunlight. Over time it becomes a more noticeable problem as the color of the structure fades away.
Also, when parts of the metal structure remain wet for long, mold and mildew start growing. These areas include folds over the building or where the roof meets or north-facing walls.
It’s essential to conduct routine cleaning of your structure at least once per year. It helps prevent fungi from building up in your garage.
To remove grime, mix gentle household cleaning products or ammonia with warm water. Use a power washer on a low-pressure setting or a soft brush to clean metal.
Take your time to organize the interior as well. It helps keep the structure orderly and clean. You will also have an easy time finding whatever you need.
Manage Snow And Rain
If you experience snow in your area, it’s vital to prevent the buildup of ice to avoid damage. Heavy layers of snow can compromise the integrity of your roof. Get rid of snow in areas that you can reach.
Don’t let it pull up against your windows or doors. If you don’t manage rain and snow, they can damage the structure of your metal building over time. Water accumulation can shift the foundation.
Redirect standing water away from your building. Choose an A-frame roof style with vertical panels if your area has heavy snowfall. It will allow rain and snow an easy exit.
Don’t plow snow up the sides of your structure because it could damage the steel panels. Make sure your shovel doesn’t scrape the roof. Aggressive shoveling can cause water leakage.
Check The Insulation
For insulated steel garages, ensure no damage or exposure of moisture exists. Insulation is necessary for areas with fluctuating temperatures. It helps to maintain the temperature in your metal building.
This helps reduce the buildup of condensation. Excess moisture causes rust. Fissures can occur in your walls due to various reasons. Birds can build up nests, and other animals can dig holes in your metal structure.
Be on the lookout for any nesting to prevent holes before they occur. Holes can also cause unwanted air from the outside to get into the building. When insulation gets into contact with the air, you risk water contamination.
Moisture prevents proper insulation, which means your building will not be well protected. Eventually, you will need more energy to heat and cool your garage. Increased electrical needs mean increased utility bills.
Take care of insulation exposure as soon as you notice it. If you let the problem linger for too long, you may end up replacing an entire wall.
Manage Pests
Rodents, bugs, and other critters can wreak havoc if they gain access to use steel garage. They can quickly destroy all the items stored there. When you notice pests in your structure, you need to identify ways to preserve your building.
While a snake or rat cannot harm your steel garage, you will not want to go there if you know they’re lurking.
Repair any cracks and openings they use to get in and out. That way, your structure will remain in good working condition.
Check Drains And Gutters
Gutters and downspouts are an essential part of your building’s moisture protection system. If they get clogged by twigs, leaves, or dirt, they may result in a pool of water.
Standing water can rust and corrode adjacent components. Take your time to remove debris from your gutters and downspouts. Use a hose to squirt it out and direct it along the gutters and into the downspouts.
As for bigger debris, wear safety goggles and protective gloves and remove them by hand. Your gutter should drain well after doing this.
Inspect Garage Doors
If your structure has roll-up style dollors, you need to add these to your list of garage inspections. Malfunctioning doors can let water sip into the building.
The bottom of your door should meet with the floor well. Maintenance will help you know if the seal at the bottom is functioning well.
If your outdoor office is located on a sloping ground surface, put a drain on that side. It will help avoid flooding of water under your door.
Talk to a steel building provider to get professional advice. They will let you know the best drain and weather stripping seal to buy. Protect the garage door from other elements by observing cleanliness.
Also, check the cables, tracks, auto-reverse safety, and rollers. Make sure they are functioning well. If one of them malfunctions, you risk water getting into the interior of your garage.
Oil Door Hinges
Your doors should open and close well. Check the hinges to confirm no damage along the edges and that they are well oiled. The seal on the door frame should not show any signs of mold or leak.
If you notice any signs of mold, take your time to clean and disinfect it. If that does not work, consider replacing the sealing.
The same goes for your windows. They should maintain a firm seal.
If your windows need weather stripping, confirm that the sealing hasn’t deteriorated. Lubricate the mechanisms of your windows and doors. Make sure nothing prevents their closure.
Touch-Up Painting
When conducting routine examinations, check for signs of scratches or minor abrasion. It’s important to ensure that the metal substrate does not come into contact with air. Moisture causes mold and rust.
If you notice any scratches, it’s time to do a retouch. Cover scratches with a matching primer and paint. Make sure you use the correct paint.
Different paints have different environmental exposure thresholds. Choose one that matches your requirements.
Choose a primer that works well with the paint to form a great sealant bond. Talk to your building provider and ask them about the best paint and primer to use. Paint will provide your garage with perfect protection against the elements and moisture.
Prioritize Regular Maintenance
A simple inspection can help you avoid a lot of issues that could cause damage to your metal structure. When you know what your floors, doors, roof, and walls should look like, you will know when something is amiss.
Always check your structure after high winds or bad weather. Make sure that both the outside and the inside are clean. To ensure your building remains in tip-top shape, you need to consider your location.
Your location will determine the level of maintenance required. The seasons don’t affect every region in the same way. If your area is prone to heavy rainfall, you need extra maintenance.
Humid, polluted, or coastal areas affect metal buildings more compared to drier regions. Once you know the number of times you are supposed to do the checks, record your examinations. Note down all the checks you should perform.
Create a schedule of when to do the examinations. It will be easy for you to check all the boxes after performing every task. If you notice some components have not passed inspection, write down how best to do the repair task.
Keep The Floor Free Of Spills
Most people store power or vehicle tools in their garage. It creates room for unwanted spills of grease and oil on the floor. Lay a floor pan down to catch any spills. It will be much easier to clean up afterward.
But if the floor is already stained, you need to clean it well. Have a look at the floor sealer specifications provided. You will know the suitable detergent to use. The detergent should be environmentally friendly to avoid damage to the floor.
Clean spills immediately to avoid leaving any stains. It’s almost impossible to get rid of a stain completely.
Wipe down the floors of your garage regularly. It will help you notice any spills that you may not have noticed.
Also, take time to organize the interior. Moving around items will help you identify areas on the floor that need minor repairs. Get rid of things you no longer use to save time when you’re ready to power spray or wipe down your structure.
Apply The Above Maintenance Tips For Your Metal Garage
The above maintenance tips will help increase the durability of your metal garage. You should identify a steel garage that matches your needs. You want to buy a structure that will be a perfect addition to your business or home.
Here at The NC Builders, we offer custom-built metal buildings to match your needs. We will provide you with steel structures that are the most versatile on the planet. Our metal building solutions are warranty-backed for peace of mind.
Contact us today to know more about our services.
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