Prefabricated metal buildings are much easier to design, erect, and care for than most competitive building materials. Steel buildings come well-equipped with features that reduce the amount of maintenance needed and keep your long-term costs at a minimum. They are energy efficient, flexible in their design, and strong in their structure.
But just like everything else in life, these structures still need to be kept up with proper care and maintenance to give them the longest life possible. Here’s how you can extend the longevity of your commercial metal building.
Create Constant Air Circulation
No one wants to have to deal with condensation issues in their workplace. To avoid this, ensure your building has constant air circulation. Proper ventilation is key. This way, no matter what the weather conditions are outside, you can rest assured everything inside is safe and sound.
Firstly, it is a good idea to open a few windows, which will allow for fresh air. Next, you are going to need good ventilation inside, to ensure a healthy indoor environment. Lastly, make sure there is no air blockage in your building, because keeping air trapped in with no circulation can cause a very unpleasant, warm and even poor smelling environment.
Go with Vertical Roof Design
Most metal buildings have vertical roof designs, and there are a lot of great reasons to follow the trend. Not only does this design offer better protection from bad weather conditions like floods, seismic waves, snowfall, or storms, but leaves, snow, and water can easily run down these vertical roofs. This avoids accumulations in ridges. Otherwise, this could lead to rusting and other issues, which we will get into later.
Keep the Area Clean
Good maintenance starts day one – before your building is even up and ready. It is crucial to keep your construction zone clean before the building is even set up. Give the area a thorough sweep and ensure no metal shavings remain anywhere. These shavings could wind up on the roof or ground which could be dangerous.
Make sure to also clean all the gutters, and ensure they are fully drained. This way, there is no danger of future moisture issues. This task includes keeping tree limbs at bay, as these could cause a buildup of leaves in the gutters. Sometimes you won’t be able to see a clog building until it is already present. In this case, a power washer is fast and easy fix.
Be Aware of Rust
Most steel buildings are made to be resistant to corrosion and rusting as they are typically 100% galvanized steel. However, there is always a chance that if parts of your building are exposed to water, rust will come. To combat this, ensure there is not water pooling against your steel building anywhere. If rust does occur, be sure to address it swiftly. Leaving it unattended could cause it to spread further.
Lastly, do not overlook smaller areas that are susceptible to rust that can have a huge impact on the building’s lifespan, such as doors that are in frequent use. Always keep the hinges of these doors oiled.
Stay on Top of Landscaping
Naturally, larger trees and bushes around your structure can pose a threat to the foundation of your building, but smaller foliage can be an issue as well. For this reason, bushes and hedges should be a safe distance away from your building and should be trimmed regularly to avoid contact with the exterior of your building. Plants that grow a little too close to the side could prevent fresh air from getting in and can prohibit quality circulation.
Never Neglect Repairs
Last but not least, if your building is ever in need of any repairs, you should never neglect them. Leaving a damaged building alone will only lead to further issues which can take more time and money to repair.
A steel building is a great option for any commercial building. If you’d like to learn more about how these structures could be the right solution for you, contact Ironsite now!
