Contractor Tips Blog

Nov
30

Extend the Life of Your Metal Staircase

Posted in Metal Stairs

Metal staircases are a wise investment for commercial properties, offering durability for heavy use. However, both indoor and outdoor metal stairs do wear out from exposure and heavy traffic. Avoid untimely replacement by restoring your metal staircase. A quick overhaul can add many years to the life of your staircase, protecting your investment.

Restoring Metal Staircases

Metal can withstand plenty of abuse from weather, chemicals and weight, but it will eventually corrode and weaken. Metal fatigue can occur in treads and support structures on your staircase; coatings can wear thin and expose the metal to rust and corrosion. Restoration can fix these issues and extend the life of your staircase.

Metal stair restoration starts with fixing structural issues. All elements of the staircase need to be inspected and repaired when needed. Treads that have worn thin from metal fatigue should be replaced. Railings that have become loose may need new welds to strengthen the structure. Once all the small issues have been addressed and repaired, you will need to add new protection to the surface.

Recoating the staircase can protect the metal and make your structure look like new again. Primer, coating and new paint can add the layers of protection needed to keep rust and corrosion at bay. Once completed, you can look forward to many more years of use before you need a complete staircase replacement.

For metal staircase restoration, only trust an experienced metal fabricator that specializes in commercial metal work. Considering the amount of use and abuse your staircases withstand, you want to ensure the best techniques and products are used in your restoration for long-lasting results.

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

Jan
10

Maintaining Steel or Metal Staircases

Posted in Welding

If you have metal staircases in your home or business, you rely on the durability these structures. Metal is perfect for staircases due to the strength it provides, especially in industrial applications. However, even metal or steel needs regular maintenance to ensure that it does not corrode, rust or breakdown. Here are few maintenance tips to extend the life of your metal staircase.

Cleaning

Dirt, dust and debris can shorten the life of your staircase. When allowed to accumulate, the grit and grime can wear down the protective coating, exposing the metal to the elements. This will also detract from the aesthetics of the metal. Cleaning should be done as often as needed.

To clean metal staircases, you can use an all-purpose floor cleaner. First, test the cleaner on a small patch of the metal to ensure the chemicals do not cause a reaction. Once tested, you can use a stiff brush to apply the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In outdoor areas, a pressure washer or hose can be used to rinse the stairs; be careful not to use too much pressure that could harm the coating.

Inspections

You should routinely inspect your metal staircases, testing rails and treads. If any seem loose or begin to show signs of rust, schedule a repair. A local metal fabricator that specializes in staircases can fix loose welds or replace treads that have damage. 

Restoration

If multiple issues begin occurring on your staircase, it may be time for a restoration. Fixing and replacing corroded or rusted areas and adding a new coating can extend the life of your staircase by many years without the expense of replacement.

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

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

 

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