GARAGE AND CARPORT MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Protection
The Australian-made steel used by The Shed Company Maryborough has outstanding durability. However, contact with certain materials can significantly reduce
product life. Therefore, avoid contact with any of the following:
Other metal, especially copper or uncoated steel.
Concrete, especially when wet. Dry concrete (blocks, for example) can also cause corrosion. Don't lay a concrete path up against wall sheeting.
Timber, especially green hardwood and any treated timber.
Sand, soil or bagged materials that contain or absorb moisture.
Organic materials such as manure or mulch.
Don't dig garden beds up against the wall cladding - moisture and fertiliser will promote corrosion. Keep at least 50mm clearance.
Maintenance
The level of maintenance required depends a lot on your local environment. Extra washing will be needed if you are close to surf, where corrosive salts can build up on
the sheeting, or if you are in an industrial area with heavy air pollution. In rural areas, remember to keep animals away from the structure.
Routine washing is important. The rain will do most of the work for you, at least on roofs and exposed walls. These areas generally need little maintenance - just hose
down occasionally if you see grime building up.
Keep an eye on areas sheltered from the rain, such as under the eaves and at the tops of walls beneath the eaves. These areas need regular washing with mild
detergent and rinsing to prevent salts and other pollutants accumulatiing. A good time to do this is when you are washing your car or watering the garden.
Handling
If you received your sheeting in kit form you need to observe the following precautions:
Keep sheets dry before installation. Store off the ground and under cover. If stacked sheets become wet, separate and dry thoroughly.
Wear gloves at all times to protect yourself from injury and to prevent the sheeting from becoming marked.
If you are cutting the sheet yourself, use hand tools rather than power tools. To prevent damage from hot debris or swarf, keep the top of the sheet facing down.
Always sweep up all particles from the roof and walls after cutting to avoid marking and premature corrosion.
Important precautions
Avoid impact damage.
Don't stack metal sheeting on the roof - it wasn't designed to carry it.
Before walking on the roof, check with your supplier to see if it was designed to take foot traffic. If so, take care - and avoid scratching the coating. If in doubt,
don't walk on it!
Follow the shed manufacturers assembly instructions and drawings.
* Information courtesy of Stramit Building Products.
DOORS AND WINDOWS
Maintenance of Glass
All glass surfaces should be kept clean by prompt removal of all dirt and deposits. Clean water should be used and in some instances the addition of a small amount of
mild detergent would be of some benefit.
Thoroughly wash off any detergent residue with clean water. Do not under any circumstances use any form of abrasive cleaner as this may cause damage to the glass.
Lightly sponge off any stubborn dirt being careful not to scratch the glass.
Maintenance of Powder Coated and Anodised Aluminium
Cleaning is necessary if the fine finish of powder coated and anodised aluminium is to be preserved. Deterioration of the coating occurs mainly as a result of grime
deposition and attack by contaminated moisture which in coastal and pool environments contain salt and sulphur compounds.
Deposited grime and contamination absorbs moisture like a sponge and holds it against the powder coated and anodised surfaces. This permits the attack to proceed
thereby damaging the coating which cannot be restored.
Frequency of Cleaning (Cleaning required is dependant on the severity of the environment)
Rural / Suburban Environments
The maximum period between cleaning should never be more than six (6) months.
Coastal / Pool / Industrial Environments
More frequent cleaning is necessary and the maximum period between cleaning should never be more than three (3) months.
Under the worst conditions involving heavy grime deposition and atmospheric pollution (e.g. sulphur compounds or salts) more frequent cleaning is advisable e.g.
monthly if deterioration of the coating is to be prevented.
The cleaning of powder coated and anodised material should be performed using handcleaning and rinsing techniques. This should be achieved by using small amounts
of clean water and recommended cleaning products.
Do not under any circumstances use an abrasive type cleaning agent as this will severely damage the surface of the material. Thoroughly rinse off any detergent with
clean water. Hosing must be avoided under all circumstances. Dry preferably with a chamois, or alternatively, a soft cloth.
The cleaning of the product should be performed at a time that will allow the aluminium to dry quickly, preferably early in the morning.
Maintenance of Hardware
Regular maintenance is required for all hardware, including any stainless steel components. In most environments maintenance is recommended every six (6) months
and every three (3) months in coastal, pool and industrial environments.
The internal workings of locks, handles, catches etc. should be kept in good working order by applying a light spray of lubricant similar to WD40 or RP7 into the area(s)
of any moving parts.
The external finish of all hardware must be kept clean by removing any harmful residue, especially salt spray, from the surface using a non-abrasive cleaning agent and
wiped down with a soft cloth moistened with WD40 or RP7.
When maintaining either internal or external hardware, ensure that all finished surfaces (eg. timber, aluminium etc.) in close proximity are well protected from exposure
to any cleaning or lubricating agents.
All tracks and sills must be kept clear of dirt, debris and other matter which can cause damage to, and restrict the proper functioning of rollers, guides and dropbolts.
* Information courtesy of G J James Glass & Aluminium
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