Steel Canopy Refurbishment at a West Midlands Retail Park, UK
As part of a larger project we carried out steel canopy refurbishment work of this suspended canopy at a retail park in the West Midlands recently. Mould and organic growth had begun to develop. If left unchecked a build up of moisture would result in the breakdown of the protective coating. The moisture will in a short space of time attack the steel substrate beneath. This process needed to be halted to rescue the canopy from failure.
Benefits of Steel Canopies
Canopies not only provide convenience but also add an architectural highlight to buildings giving them a bit more style and pizzazz. With various designs and materials, they enhance the modern and professional look of pre-engineered steel buildings. It would be easier for building owners to simply deconstruct their steel canopies to save time and money on maintenance, especially if the canopy in question was suffering from corrosion. However we recommend simply maintaining your canopy to extend its lifespan. The benefits of keeping it outweigh the benefits of cutting maintenance costs.
Primary function
Canopies shield people and activities from rain and reduce direct sunlight entering and exiting buildings. Lowering indoor temperatures and cutting down energy consumption for air conditioning systems is also another practical benefit of these canopies. Its not limited to retail parks, canopies also are particularly beneficial for factories and office spaces too.
Canopy Maintenance
A simple programme of jet-washing with eco-friendly detergent will not only extend the lifespan of your canopy but will enhance the aesthetics of your premises. The frequency of this will depend of the atmospheric conditions and traffic levels in the vicinity of the building. We recommend cleaning at least three times a year.
However during warm and wet periods you might want to clean more often. Always use soft brushes and equipment during cleaning. Focus on protecting the top coating of paint and look out for flaking. The aim is to prevent the build up of mould or other organic material by keep all surfaces clean free from anything that might harbour water buildup.
Suspended steel canopy before refurbishment, mould and damp beginning to attack the protective coating.
Refurbishment work complete on this suspended canopy, all surfaces cleaned and re-coated.
The canopy pictured above forms part of a public walkway for customers at this retail park allowing them to walk between shops without getting rained on or being baked in sunlight. This keeps shoppers dry, cool and in the mood to spend their money.
Safety and inspections
To ensure the safety of your staff and the public regular visual inspections should be carried out throughout the year. You should make sure checks are carried out immediately following any storm, especially high winds. Gutters should also be kept free from blockage by leaves and other debris. Use a cherry picker or drone to inspect gutters when necessary.
Structural & Coating Maintenance
The protective coating applied to the steel is the most important defence against corrosion. Its therefore important to maintain its integrity at all times. Stay vigilant and look out for dents and scratches which will cause damage to the coating. If any are present they should be repaired straight away.
Suspended steel canopy refurbishment
In the event that damage to coatings is discovered we would recommend contacting an approved steel refurbishment contractor. A professional survey of the affected areas will be carried out to determine the best course of action. Help and advice that is specific to your canopy type will be offered on request. Suspended steel canopies are particularly susceptible to collapse due to the way they are constructed. It is therefore very important to maintain the supporting beams, corrugated sheets, gutters and fixings of these canopies.
Have a question?
Attention building managers, landlords, surveyors and developers; if you have a question about steel canopy refurbishment our operations team are here to assist and will be happy to help with any questions. D&D Coatings are approved coating contractors for all the major manufacturers. We operate across the UK and Ireland. As part of our comprehensive decoration services we also offer component repair and refurbishment. To find out more call Sarah, Jayne and the team on 01606 554040 (office hours) or use our contact form to send a message — thank you!
