How to Prevent Steel Metal Buildings from Rusting?
Moisture is the most detrimental element to steel metal buildings. Our steel buildings are made to be durable and long-lasting. However, sometimes, due to moisture accumulation, metal buildings get damaged before their service life is over.
Steel metal buildings will rust if you leave the base metal exposed to the elemental conditions. To prevent the steel from rusting most of the steel structures now come with some kind of preventive coating. These coatings form a barrier between the base metal and the outer atmosphere. And thus, they prevent the corrosion of the metal buildings.
What is Rusting for Steel Metal Buildings?
Rusting results due to the formation of iron oxide. Iron oxide forms when iron or any iron alloy reacts with oxygen, either through water or air moisture. Oxygen reacts with iron atomically to form oxides and in the process weakens the metal bonds making the mass brittle and fragile.
When rust is only on the surface of the metal, it usually takes red-powdery form. Prolonged exposure to moisture, in any form, meanwhile will weaken iron or iron alloy structures and will eventually cause the metal structure to disintegrate completely.
Rusting is the common name for corrosion that occurs in structures made of iron or other iron alloys, like steel. The process of rusting accelerates if the steel is in contact with acidic water.
Protecting Metal Buildings from Rusting?
Nowadays, rusting is not much of a problem for steel metal buildings. Most of the top metal building manufacturers offer their products with protection against it. There are a few ways to make prefab steel buildings as rust-resistant as possible.
Galvanization of Steel
Galvanization of steel is the most common method that manufacturers use. In this process, steel or any other iron surface is coated with a layer of zinc. This zinc coating creates a barrier. It prevents the base metal from reacting with the atmospheric elements. Even when this protective layer is scratched, it acts as a sacrificial element and corrodes itself first, protecting the base metal from any damage.
The construction industry utilizes this technique extensively in the form of galvanized steel. Galvanized steel is made by dipping the steel component in molten zinc. Galvanization of steel is a comparatively cheaper and more effective way of providing the metal structures with protective coatings.
Painting Steel
In addition to the galvanization of steel, most of the steel metal buildings also come with a second coating of paint to prevent penetration of moisture to the metal surfaces. There are various types of paint finishes available in the market with various compositions. Some provide better protection against corrosion while others provide better looks.
When you top off the galvanized steel with a layer of some protective paint, it makes the metal elements more durable. It will also be less likely to rust prematurely. The painting comes with the added advantages of providing your steel metal buildings with better aesthetics.
Nowadays, paints are available in the market that can provide better UV protection. They reflect heat radiations away from the metal structures. Hence, metal panels with this type of coating can also help to passively cool your steel metal buildings.
What Can You Do To Prevent Rusting of Metal Buildings?
The processes of galvanization and painting are, more or less, in the hands of the manufacturer. Of course, you can make sure that you purchase steel buildings from a trusted manufacturer like Carport1. We provide high-quality products at the best prices. We offer warranties with our steel metal buildings against rust.
But these warranties will only remain valid if you provide your steel metal buildings with the necessary maintenance. No matter how big or small your prefab metal building is, its maintenance is as easy as can be.
Regular Maintenance of Steel Metal Buildings
Annual maintenance is a must to ensure that the structure remains in a functioning condition for a long time. For the best results, you should conduct the maintenance of steel buildings at least once every six months.
Conduct regular inspection of the metal building to see if there are any damages to the building that require prompt repairing. Make sure that you do not let water accumulate on the surface or around steel metal buildings for an extended period of time.
Horizontal buildings, like Regular Metal Carports and Garages, as well as Boxed Eave Carports and Garages, need extra care. You should clean the horizontal metal panels after every rainfall or snowfall.
Install gutters and downspouts to channel the water away from steel metal buildings. Also, make sure the site on which the metal building stands has a proper drainage system.
Avoid scratching or damaging the surface of the metal structure. Also, you should not use abrasive cleaning materials or treatments on the surface. If you scratch the surface of the metal panels or the structural components enough to expose the base metal, repaint the surface properly as soon as possible.
Buy Steel Metal Buildings from Carport1
All of our metal buildings, be it a metal carport, a garage, an RV cover, a steel barn or a custom metal building, are manufactured with the highest quality galvanized steel as well as the paint finishes. Our metal buildings have a long lifespan, are durable and will not rust easily. With our products, you can have the best protection for your belongings against the elements.
Moreover, you can also customize our metal buildings the way you like it. We allow our customers to decide the size, the colors, and the other features of their building. If you want information on specific products, then you can go to our online website. Alternatively, you can contact our customer service if you have any queries.
