Cold Weather Tips to Keep Your Metal Building in Top Shape

Winter weather is here, and it won’t be long before some areas are hit hard with the harsh elements, such as heavy snowfall. You’ve probably already gotten your garden ready for extreme temperatures, and you have sealed up your home and prepped your vehicle for winter too, right? But is your steel building ready for the harsh weather that’s ahead? If not, it should be!

While metal structures are basically maintenance free all year round, it is extremely important to take a few hours and make sure your building is ready for winter weather. Not only is it extremely important to do, but it is also extremely simple. All it takes is a little time. Keep reading to find out how you can do a little preventive maintenance now to prevent having to suffer dealing with repairs later.

Winter-Proof Your Building Now

Metal buildings don’t require a lot of maintenance at all. But while some steel structures are designed to withstand even the heaviest snowfalls and the strongest winds, there are still some factors that you need to deal with for keeping your building safe and in the best shape. Winter can bring along some difficulties and problems if you aren’t ready for it. You don’t want any condensation to seep in through undiscovered cracks or heavy snow-covered branches to come crashing down on your metal building, would you? That’s why it’s important to protect your building now before any extreme weather hits.

Here are some easy steps you can take to protect your steel building against the winter cold:

Don’t put off prepping until the last minute

Sure, it’s easy to wait until the greater chance of winter weather moves into your area to start protecting your building, but don’t do it! Start inspecting your metal structure now, so you’ll know what needs fixed and be way ahead of any storms that may move your way.

Here’s what to look for when you start inspecting your building:

Check your roof for corrosion or other damages.

Inspect the vents to see if there are any cracks or leaks.

Check any building components for damages like the chimney, windows, doors, etc.

If any of these areas require maintenance or replacement, then it could take time to fix, or it could even take more time to get in any tools or parts that may need to be ordered. So, don’t put this off until the last minute! Make sure you have enough time to prep your building before any weather gets close, and you can properly fix what needs to be done.

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Remove any nearby vegetation

Do you have any trees or plants that are near your steel building? If so, then you will want to take care of them because they could cause damage if there’s a big snowstorm or heavy winds.  

Here are some areas to pay attention to:

Remove any weak trees close to the building. Snow can pile up on the trees and cause the tree to collapse on your building.

Cut down any long branches. If these branches aren’t taken care of, then they could crash into a window during heavy winds.

Remove debris and brushes near the structure. Waterlogged debris or heavy brushes can prevent airflow and can even lead to corrosion around screws and metal panels.

Clean out gutters

Clean out gutters

Improper water flow can cause so many problems like mold, pests, and more. So, make sure to clean out your gutters, drains, and downspouts. You’ll also want to make sure they are attached correctly to your metal building so that after everything is clean, they will allow water to flow away from your building properly.

Clean your building

Clean your building

You won’t be able to give your prefab building a good pressure wash or hosing down while it’s winter, so give it a good cleaning now. Cleaning your metal building before winter hits will help prevent fungal infections and corrosion. And don’t forget to wash the roof too to keep it clear of debris.

Inspect the roof

Inspect the roof

Closely examine your roof to make sure it’s ready for heavy snowfall that could cause leaks.

Here’s what to look for:

Examine the area for any corrosion or scratches.

Make sure the seals around the skylights and vents are still good and there aren’t any cracks.

Check the seals around the window and door seals too.

Check the flashing around your chimney, valleys, and pipe boots.

Metal Building Maintenance vs. Wooden Building Maintenance

We constantly talk about the low maintenance that comes with prefab metal buildings. That’s because it’s true! Metal structures don’t have the extensive maintenance needs that come with wooden buildings. These preventative measures for metal buildings that need to be done for the winter can easily be done in a single day if you have all the necessary tools. This is not the case with a wooden building. A wooden structure requires maintenance not just in the winter, but all year long. Here are some examples of repairs you’ll have to face when owning a wooden building:

Nails can pop out and loosen the framing.

You will have to treat the lumber with harsh chemicals to kill termites.

The wood will wrap, can rot, will creep, and twist.

A loose frame can cause drafts.

Wooden buildings need to be repainted frequently to protect them from the elements.

A long span can cause wood to sag in areas like over the garage door.

That’s just a shortlist of the many things that have to be done to keep a wooden building in good shape. We guarantee that maintaining a metal building is much easier compared to a wooden structure. Here are the tips for year-round maintenance for your metal building:

Wash your building annually with a presser washer or use a hose and soft-bristled brush. This will help keep your building in top shape.

Inspect your building for any leaks and repair them quickly.

Check your ceiling for any signs of discoloration caused by condensation, water leaks, or mold.

Metal Structures Are Built Tough for All Weather Conditions

Prefab metal buildings are more durable, reliable, and easier to prepare for winter conditions than traditional wooden structures. Not only are they built tough, but they are also built for a variety of purposes like steel garages, carports, storage, and even barns. The possibilities are endless for what a tough steel structure can do for you. The building specialists at Metal Garage Central can help design and customize your structure to fit your exact needs. So, while you’re prepping your current building for the winter, maybe you want to start thinking about warmer temperatures and dreaming about outside fun. Need a covered place to host outdoor events? A carport is a perfect solution! Or maybe you’re thinking about adding a garage to your property to use as your personal man-cave or she-shed. Whatever it is that you’ re dreaming about, we can make the dream become a reality with a low maintenance, durable, and affordable metal building from Metal Garage Central. Give us a call today to get started at (980) 321-9898.