How to Clean the Exterior Walls of Steel Buildings

One of the biggest selling points of steel buildings is that they require practically no maintenance at all. Most better-quality steel buildings are painted with a rust- and corrosion-resistant powder coat that adds color and a degree of protection from the elements. In many cases, the paint job on your metal building will be guaranteed for as much as 20 years. About the only routine maintenance you’ll need to consider is washing down the exterior walls to remove dirt, dust and any damaging chemicals that may have settled on your building over the course of several months. If you think the wall panels of your steel building are ready for a cleaning, here’s how you do it.
You’ll Need:
A ladder or scaffolding
A water hose
Clean water
Mild soap or detergent
A soft, nylon brush
Mineral spirits
What You Will Not Need:
Any abrasive cleaners. They can damage the paint powder coating and let corrosive elements through to the metal.
A stiff brush. Stick to soft bristles that aren’t likely to damage the paint finish.
Safety Precaution: Always make sure that your ladder is placed securely against the building, or attached to the building.
What to Do:
Working in small sections, wet the walls with clean, clear water and scrub gently with a soft-bristled nylon brush to dislodge any sand, dust and dirt that has accumulated on the walls. Built up dirt encourages moisture retention, which will eventually break down the protective coating and damage the underlying metal. As long as you’re only dealing with dirt, you shouldn’t need anything stronger than water and a little elbow grease.
Start from the top and work your way down the walls. Hose the walls down with clear water after you’ve scrubbed the wall from top to bottom.
If you come across pine pitch, sap or other sticky substances, apply a little bit of mineral spirits to dissolve it and wash away with clear water.
If your steel building is located in an industrial area with a lot of pollution or near the ocean, add mild detergent to the first wash. Gently scrub with a soft brush, and use mineral spirits to remove tar, pine, oil or grease, then wash with a mild detergent and finish with a clean water rinse.
It’s not difficult to clean the outside panels of steel buildings, and you only have to do it once a year or so. If you’re not comfortable working on a ladder, there are many cleaning companies who can clean your metal building for you professionally. No matter who does the cleaning, though, this necessary bit of maintenance will greatly extend the life of your steel building’s finish.