Will Maintaining your New Post Frame Building be an Ongoing Expense?
Be sure to ask about potential maintenance costs of your new post frame building before you sign a contract. At Sapphire Construction, we tell you straight up what to do. Our pole buildings do need a little attention. It’s just like owning a car. If you do not keep it clean, oiled and serviced, then how do you expect it to look like new in 20 years?
Our pole buildings intertwine modern features with excellent materials, and advanced engineering. For example, we apply protective treatments to minimize wrought, superior paint products, and coatings for steel panels. Your new post frame building will be durable while giving you design flexibility. And it only requires a little tender loving care.
Post Frame Building Maintenance
The structure carries an excellent warranty and required maintenance boils down to common sense. Simple seasonal care should keep it in excellent condition. Here are some basic maintenance practices that will help your building stay in tip top shape for a long time.
- Inspect the roof four times a year. Use a roof rake to remove debris and excess snow. Look for potential problems on the inside ceiling and call a professional contractor to examine any sign of a leak.
- Clear the gutters of leaves and ice dams.
- Hose off mud and debris from the building’s exterior.
- Carefully power wash the building annually, making sure to avoid damaging the exterior materials and paint coatings. Stand back far enough to soften the water flow.
- Check for structural damage caused by flying ants, termites, and other bugs, even though buildings erected since 1991 have been treated against fungal decay and termites.
- To refresh painted steel, hire a professional contractor who is experienced in steel surfaces. Our paints are usually warrantied against chalking and fading for several decades.
Landscaping Can Protect New Post Frame Buildings
Strategic landscaping is also important. Landscaping will help your building to last longer. Craig Loger, the Vice President of Sales at Lester Buildings, recommends specific grading of exterior soil to discourage water accumulation. This includes setting the ground 4 to 6 inches lower than the building floor. Consider adding a layer of rock around the building. Rock can absorb water as it falls off the roof, keeping the water from creating mud. The absorbed dirt and grim are less likely to end up on the sides of the building.
In addition, design the grassy areas a little distance from the building. When lawn mowers project rocks at the building, there is less chance of a hit. Weed eaters are notorious for damaging outer finishes on buildings, decks, and fences. And here is another problem: weed killers and other chemicals sprayed near the building may void the paint warranty.
Ventilation Checkpoints
Check for a few telltale signs of environmental rifts. Inside the building, be aware of any condensation, drafts, and damaged weather stripping. If the air does not flow correctly, it could create drafts or condensation. These lead to corrosion over time. If you are aware of any of these problems, consult an HVAC specialist to check your air barriers and vapor barriers.
So, keep up with regular maintenance and you will minimize any big maintenance costs.
Colorado Construction Companies
For information about Colorado post frame buildings, pole barns, and metal buildings for Storage, Hobbies, Farm & Ranch, Livestock, Equestrian, and Commercial uses, contact Sapphire Construction, Inc. at (303) 619-7213.
We partner with Lester Buildings, a long-standing company driving industry improvements for decades. Lester’s portfolio embraces all types of low-rise buildings constructed over the past 75 years.
JUN
2019
About the Author:
Allen Randa is a second generation Master Carpenter and Owner of Sapphire Construction Inc. Allen personally manages each project from beginning to end. That includes the first meeting, the estimate, the contract and architectural designs.