How to Protect Steel Buildings Against Corrosion

Steel buildings have become the most popular choice among the general population for such purposes as garages, barns, storage buildings, home offices and more. The reasons for their popularity are many. Steel buildings are durable, versatile, sustainable and cost-efficient. Whether you’re building a shed for your gardening equipment, a small greenhouse, a backyard workshop or a detached apartment for a family member (or extra income), steel buildings offer ease of installation and the best value for your money.
One of the things that people like best about metal buildings is the fact that they require so little maintenance. Steel doesn’t rot like wood, nor do termites and other insects like to munch on it. It doesn’t expand and contract in moisture as wood does, and steel frames and walls have no knots or splits that can become structural weaknesses. Steel does have one weakness, though. If the metal is left bare, it’s especially susceptible to rust and corrosion from moisture, salt and chemicals in the atmosphere. If left unattended, rust can quickly affect your steel buildings appearance, and over time, compromise its structural integrity.
Luckily, it doesn’t take much to protect your metal building from corrosion. These tips can help ensure that you and your steel building have a long and happy relationship.
Start Off Right
Everyone knows that the right start can make a difference in just about everything, and that’s no different for steel buildings. In this case, the right start is a protective, anti-corrosion coating on all of your building components. It costs a little bit more in the beginning, but can save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. As an added bonus, most steel coatings come in a wide range of colors, so you can pick one that matches the other buildings on your property – an especially nice touch for detached garages and barns.
Inspect Regularly
Once your building is up, give it a thorough going-over to look for any scratches, dents or damage that might have occurred during construction. If you find any, follow manufacturer’s instructions to repair the coating. Even small breaks in the surface can allow rust to start. Re-inspect a couple of times a year and after any major event that may have caused damage.
Clean Regularly
Finally, steel buildings need a bath once in a while to remove collected dirt and chemicals that can eventually wear away at the anticorrosive coating. Make sure you wash under eaves, canopies and roof extensions, areas that are easily missed but especially vulnerable to rust and other damage.