Contractor Tips Blog

Feb
18

Cleaning and Maintaining Outdoor Metal Staircases

Posted in Metal Stairs

One of the advantages of metal staircases is the low maintenance required. Even when used outdoors, metal staircases withstand the elements and can last for decades. But low maintenance does not mean no maintenance – to extend the life of your stairs you need to keep them clean and repaired. Here are some simple cleaning and maintenance tips that should be done periodically on your outdoor metal staircases.

Clean Away Dirt and Debris

Accumulated dirt and debris can cause wear on the coating and paint protecting the metal structure of your staircase. Most metal stairs can be easily cleaned with a hose and soft scrub brush or with a low-pressure power washing. This can remove mildew, dirt and other debris, keeping your staircases clean for appearance and to protect against wear.

Inspect Rails, Treads and Supports

Check your staircase for any signs of loose welds or components. Even a slight wiggle or loose bolt should be repaired right away. Repairs to a loose railing or tread can be quickly accomplished and can reduce safety issues, delaying any further deterioration.

Look for Bare Metal

If you find any areas where the paint or coating has worn away, leaving bare metal, it is time for more coating. Metal will rust and quickly deteriorate without protection. Contact a local metal staircase fabricator that offers on-site recoating to restore the protective shield. Your staircase will look like new again and be ready to last for many more years.

Metal staircases are simple to maintain and clean but do need occasional repairs and upkeep. Stay on top of needed repairs and maintenance to make your staircase last for many years.

Posted on behalf of:
LCG Welding, LLC
4625 Church Road
Cumming, GA 30028
(678) 455-5552

Apr
16

Importance of Maintenance and Repairs for Outdoor Metal Staircases

Posted in Metal Stairs

One of the reasons metal staircases are popular for commercial buildings is their longevity. A quality metal staircase can last for decades, making it a wise investment for apartment buildings, industrial warehouses and other businesses. While metal is durable, it does corrode over time, especially when exposed to the outdoor elements. Maintenance can help keep metal staircases safe and extend the life of the structure.

Routine Maintenance for Metal Staircases

Quality outdoor metal staircases are painted or coated to protect the metal from rust and corrosion. Over time, this protective covering can wear off. The best way to protect the paint and stairway is to keep it clean. Pressure washing away dirt and debris can help reduce wear and tear.

In addition to regular cleaning, metal staircases will need new paint or coating every few years. When the coating wears through and the metal is exposed, rust will occur. Keeping the protective coating updated can help reduce wear and tear.

Professional Metal Repairs

Eventually metal staircases will need repairs. Treads, railings and welds may become weak, creating safety hazards. Inspections of the staircases should be made routinely to check for loose railings, rust and holes in the metal. Repairs can be made by metal fabricators that specialize in metal staircases, repairing or replacing components as needed. Metal stair restoration can extend the life of a staircase, delaying replacement.

Metal staircases are low maintenance, but they do still need some routine care. Keeping outdoor metal staircases clean and coated can prevent premature wear and tear. When repairs are needed, find an experienced metal fabricator that can replace and repair the components to maintain a safe stairway for your building.

Posted on behalf of:
LCG Welding, LLC
4625 Church Road
Cumming, GA 30028
(678) 455-5552

Nov
8

3 Signs of an Aging Metal Staircase

Posted in Metal Stairs

Do you have a commercial building with an older metal staircase? While metal staircases can last for decades when maintained, they will eventually need repairs, retrofits or replacement. Many metal staircases on commercial buildings are outside and exposed to the elements. When they begin to age, they can become a liability for your business and need repair to keep them safe for your employees, tenants and/or customers. Here are three signs your metal staircase is aging and in need of some TLC.

  1. Rust. Most metal staircases have a protective coating to prevent rust. However, as they age, this coating wears away and the metal is exposed. Spots of rust or corrosion are definite signs your staircase needs maintenance.
  2. Holes in stair treads. If rust does attack the metal, the stair treads are often the first to get holes through the metal. Treads are thinner metal, and the coating wears off quicker, making them susceptible to holes through the metal.
  3. Loose welds. If the railings or stair treads are loose, the welds may be losing their strength. This can become dangerous and prove to be a liability if someone falls or trips on your staircase.

Repair or Replacement?

If you see any of these signs of aging on your metal staircase, it is time to schedule an inspection. Contact a local metal fabricator that specializes in metal staircases for an inspection. They can help determine if you only need repairs and new coating for your staircase, or if a complete overhaul is the best option. It is a wise investment to prevent injuries that could be very costly if you are determined to be liable due to an unsafe staircase.

Posted on behalf of:
LCG Welding, LLC
4625 Church Road
Cumming, GA 30028
(678) 455-5552

Dec
30

Restore or Repair? Deciding the Best Option for Your Commercial Staircase

Posted in Metal Stairs

Do you have a metal staircase at your commercial building that is becoming an eyesore, or worse, a safety concern? Metal staircases are used in many commercial applications due to their durability, easy maintenance and longevity, but even metal can wear out when constantly exposed to the elements or under heavy use. If you have noticed rust, corrosion or weak spots on your staircase, it is time to fix the issue before it causes an injury. But do you need just a staircase restoration or a full replacement?

In many cases, metal staircases can be restored by a metal fabricator. It depends on the amount of repair that is needed. If there are only a few loose welds or rusted areas, it may be less expensive to have the staircase restored. First the staircase will need to be inspected. The metal fabricator can evaluate your staircase for signs of these common issues:

  • Metal fatigue
  • Rust
  • Failing welds
  • Loose railings
  • Corrosion
  • Worn protective coating

In many circumstances, the issues can be fixed without replacing the whole staircase. Replacing a few treads and re-welding loose areas can often fix the issue. Once the structural issues are fixed, covering the staircase with a new protective coating will make it look new and extended the life of the metal.

Of course, if there are too many repairs needed, it may time for a complete replacement. However, once your staircase is replaced with new, solid metal, it should last for decades if maintained. Call your local metal fabricator that specializes in metal staircase restorations and replacements to schedule your inspection.

Posted on behalf of:
LCG Welding, LLC
4625 Church Road
Cumming, GA 30028

 

Sep
9

Spring Renovations for Your Business’ Metal Stairs

Posted in Metal Stairs

Metal staircases are used in many commercial buildings due to their durability for heavy traffic and exposure to the elements. However, even the highest quality metal can begin to show fatigue and wear over time, creating aesthetic and safety issues. If you own or manage a business with metal staircases, spring is the perfect time to reevaluate whether it is time to rejuvenate their structural integrity with a restoration service.

Inspecting Your Metal Staircases

Whether your metal stairs are indoor or outside, you want to ensure they are continuing to perform at a high safety level. Even indoors, metal can be exposed to moisture and industrial components that can deteriorate the coating on the metal, causing rust and weakness at the weld points. If the elements have impacted the coating, it may be obvious from just a glance that at a bare minimum your metal stairs need new coating to protect the metal. However, safety is a higher concern.

Signs that your metal stairs could become hazardous and cause liability for your business include:

  • Treads with holes or weak points
  • Loose railings
  • Rust through coating
  • Disconnected or weak welds

Once severe deterioration begins, the metal will continue to corrode and become unsafe. However, if caught early, you can save money over a stair replacement with a metal stair renovation. A quality metal fabrication company that specializes in industrial metal stairs can restore and repair the weak points in the stairs. With recoating or painting, the aesthetic aspect can be restored along with adequate protection for the metal.

Don’t wait for an injury or accident to occur at your business due to worn metal stairs. Plan your spring stair restoration today.

Posted on behalf of:
LCG Welding, LLC
4625 Church Road
Cumming, GA 30028

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