Questions About Washing?
One of the best things about steel buildings is of course the lack of maintenance that is required on a regular basis. Keeping it in great condition will involve much less in the way of regular repairs and fixes, and focus much more on regular inspections as well as keeping the structure clean.
Washing your steel building is an important part of that process, since ignoring buildup can have detrimental effects down the line. As durable as steel is, there are materials that can be damaging to it over time; which is why it’s important for it to stay clean. Things like dirt, grime, bird excrement, mineral deposits and more will naturally build up on your structure but they are things that can trigger oxidation or even corrosion of your metal building. To keep your steel building in the best possible shape, here are just a few things to consider when trying to keep your steel building clean.
How Often To Wash
It is recommended to clean your steel building twice a year to keep it in the best possible condition. The best times for this are during the fall and the spring, so you can clear away fallen leaves, twigs and other debris during the autumn months and use the springtime to clear off any water residue from your building. If your building is in a very industrial area or close to saltwater, consider doing it 3 times a year since it might be more exposed to damaging elements that can build up quickly.
Getting Ready
Get rid of any large objects from around the structure before you get started with the cleaning so you can focus on the building when you’re washing. If there are plants nearby, you might want to cover them with a plastic covering like a tarp so you don’t get detergent on them. Of course, make sure all doors and windows on your steel structure are closed tightly so you won’t have any leakage inside. If you have any electrical parts on the outside of your structure like lights, outlets or gas meters make sure they’re fully covered and that the power in the structure is disconnected so you don’t have any issues with them coming into contact with water.
Washing Your Structure
The best way to get your structure clean will be by power washing it and essentially blasting all the dirt, grime and debris off the siding and roof. You will be able to buy an inexpensive pressure washer from the home hardware store, but they can be rented as well. Pre-soak the structure by keeping your power washer on the lowest setting and spraying pure water over the structure. Afterwards, use a soapy mixture of warm water and mild detergent to wash your steel structure. This is best for cutting through any kind of buildup that might be on your structure. Work from the top to the bottom, going through the sections of your structure and staying at least 3 feet away from the building at all times. For parts of your building that might be extra dirty if you’re in a particularly muddy area, you might need a second wash and even a bit of hand scrubbing as well. Finally, rinse the structure off with fresh water to get rid of all the soap leftover!
By doing this at least twice every year, your building should stay in excellent shape. Along with regular inspections, you’ll be able to find issues before they get worse as well as prevent different types of damage to your structure by simply keep it clean.
For any questions or concerns about our steel buildings, call us today at 1-877- 363-5726
