You put up a sturdy metal pole barn, but the Sonoran Desert does not take days off. Between the relentless summer sun near the Price Corridor and the sudden dust and downpours during monsoon season, your metal pole barn takes a beating. Spectrum Metal Buildings wants you to know what you need to do to keep things solid for 15 to 20 years or more.
Routine Checks for the Desert Climate
Dust gets everywhere out here, and it loves to settle in roof seams and panel overlaps. Grab a garden hose and wash down the exterior walls every few months. While you are rinsing off the grit, take a close look at your fasteners. The extreme temperature swings we get in Chandler—baking hot afternoons dropping into cooler nights—can cause metal to expand and contract. This thermal shock backs out screws faster than you would think.
Tighten up any loose rubber-washer screws you find, but do not strip them. Check the sealant around windows, doors, and trim pieces too. UV rays will bake high-grade caulk down to dust within a few years, leading to unexpected leaks when the summer storms roll through.
Spotting Trouble Before It Spreads
Catching small problems early saves you hundreds of dollars in repair costs later. Walk the perimeter of your building after a heavy wind storm in Chandler.
- Look for chalking or fading on the paint finish.
- Check the base rail where the metal meets the concrete slab for accumulated dirt holding moisture.
- Inspect the gutters if you have them, making sure tumbleweeds and desert debris are not blocking drainage.
If you spot rust starting around a scratch or a cut edge from installation, touch it up immediately with matching exterior-grade paint. Left alone in our dry air, minor surface rust turns into a structural headache once monsoon humidity hits.
When to Bring in Backup
Most upkeep is totally doable on a Saturday morning with basic tools. Still, some jobs cross the line into professional territory. If you notice structural panel buckling, doors that will not square up in their frames because of shifting soil, or roof damage from flying debris during a severe storm, give Spectrum Metal Buildings a ring. For Chandler homes and businesses, Spectrum Metal Buildings provides Metal Construction Company services.