When you imagine a steel building, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a building that will quickly corrode with rust, leaving holes through which water can easily seep. This isn’t the case.
Certain manufacturers can provide you with materials that will last over a 40-year period. An example of this can be seen through the steel building provider Armstrong Steel. Their buildings are manufactured in such a way that they come with a 40-year rust through perforation warranty and a 25-year rust through roof warranty on all steel buildings manufactured by their company. So, there’s no need to worry about how long your steel building will survive for.
If steel buildings sound appealing to you and you understand the durability, read these few simple tips that can help extend the life of your steel building beyond its warranty period!
Preventing Mold and Fungus
While steel buildings manufactured and finished with a special kind of paint meant to keep rust and corrosion at bay, anything that lays against the building in rainy or snowy weather can lead to a buildup of mold and mildew, leaving the exterior streaked with black stains. Once assembled, make absolutely certain that any hedges or other kinds of shrubbery are kept pruned away from the exterior. The same goes for the roof. Don’t allow tree branches to grow down to the rooftop. This is just basic maintenance you should do under any circumstances with any building, but you have just bought and assembled a steel building, so it’s imperative to do what you can to extend its life.
Keep Snow Removed
Don’t ever let snow build up on your steel building’s roof or against exterior walls. Snow is much heavier than you may think, so always inspect the roof for buckling before stepping up there to sweep or shovel it clean. Bear in mind that as snow melts, especially with spring rains, that just adds to the weight and can cause ice dams which, in turn, can cause your roof to buckle. Keeping snow removed is one of the ways of protecting the integrity of the structure.
Be on Guard for Pests
There are certain times of the year when birds and other creatures begin seeking places to nest. This can be a real problem with steel buildings that are insulated between interior and exterior walls. If you don’t think a bird can peck away, leaving a hole, in steel buildings, just look at what woodpeckers can do to a hardwood tree! Other vermin have strong, sharp teeth, so be on guard for them as well.
Oddly, it seems as if they know your building is insulated and a perfect place to build a nest. At least you would think so based on the number of vermin that seek out insulated buildings! At the first sign of scratches that look like something may be trying to nest, set traps or do what you can to keep them at bay. This is also why it’s important to keep shrubs and vegetation away from the exterior walls. You need an unobstructed view to guard against pests.
These simple tips can help you extend the life of steel buildings beyond warranty limitations and if you choose the right steel building from the right manufacturer, you can be sure your building may even outlast you!