Avoiding Rust

Steel is one of the most durable materials and are resistant to rust as long as they’re properly treated. Steel buildings that are left exposed to the elements can become damaged over long periods of time, but that doesn’t mean steel isn’t one of the best, strongest and durable materials on the planet. Those older building haven’t been treated with ways of preventing corrosion, so it’s important to keep this in mind.

To understand how to prevent rust, it’s important to acknowledge why rust happens in the first place. It’s a chemical reaction that happens when iron bonds with oxygen to form a brand new molecule that leaves a brown stain. Over longer periods of time of this being untreated, this makes the metal weaker and weaker until holes begin to form. Eventually, it gets so bad that entire structures can become dangerous to even be in. Thankfully, there are ways to keep any of this from happening, including things that are already features of Mayflower steel buildings. This type of

Galvanization

Mayflower Steel Buildings uses Galvanized steel in their structures, which involves coating the metal with a layer of zinc to keep it protected. The steel itself is dipped in molten zinc to get this done, and once it dries the layer of protection is what will rust as opposed to the steel itself – keeping the important core material of the building fully intact and in good shape.

Painting

Paint is one other way to keep the steel structure protected, adding coatings that keep it from being directly exposed to the elements. Paints can be added on top of the galvanization to not only create a strong moisture barrier, but also make the building look much more attractive. More often than not, Acrylic and polyester paints are used because of how long they can last in even the worst weather conditions.

Maintenance

Adding these coatings are a great place to start, but you still need to do a level of maintenance to keep everything in good shape. Cleaning your structure off with a power washer is one place you can start, as dirt can not only sully the look of your building but potentially become a larger issue for the structure itself. For more difficult stains, try a soft-bristled brush to get it all out. You won’t want to add too many harsh chemicals to the mix, but you could try laundry detergent for a bit more cleaning power. Make sure it’s pretty diluted so it doesn’t overpower the water you’re using to rinse everything off. It’s also imperative that you regularly inspect the building for anything that could turn into a problem later on down the line. Look for scratches, rust or even dents or holes. Damage to the exterior isn’t necessarily likely, but it can happen! Pay attention to pays of the structure where you might need to repaint or recoat parts that have worn off over time. For example, galvanizing essentially takes on the burden of rust onto itself to save the steel underneath it, so this will need to be kept up to date to some degree.

For any questions or concerns about our steel buildings, call us today at 1-877- 363-5726