Inspection and Maintenance

There are few exterior materials whose appearance and performance would not benefit from regular inspection and any
necessary maintenance that may be highlighted as a result. Such activities will repay any careful building owner and/or
occupier by giving them the best possible performance from the product.

1.0 Annual Inspection

Inspect For	Additional information	Remedial Action
Blocked gutters	If blocked these could overflow into the building.	Remove any debris.
Build-up of debris on sheets	Debris can retain water and pollutants, forming a ‘poultice’ which can cause corrosion.	Remove the debris and where necessary wash the area as described under 2.0 Washing.
Retention of dirt in areas of cladding not washed naturally by rainwater, e.g. below overhangs	This can have a negative effect on the building aesthetics and if ignored can cause the coating to break down.	Wash the area as described under 2.0 Washing.
Mould Growth	This can have a negative effect on the building aesthetics and if ignored can cause the coating to break down.	Wash the aqrea and treat ir for mould growth as described under 3.0 Removing Mould
Local Damage*	If damage has broken through the coating then the steel substrate will be exposed to attack.	Assess the extent of the damage and either repair it with touch-up paint or replace the sheets through he original cladding supplier.
Swarf, rivet stems and other fixing debris*	These can corrode and stain the sheet surface.	Remove the debris and if necessary, wash the sheet surface as described under 2.0 Washing
Faulty or inappropriate fasteners*	Such fasteners can cause leaks corrode and stain the sheet surface.	Replace the fasteners and any missing caps.
Areas at cut edges or surfaces that need over-painting		Use specialist contractors and maintenance paints.

(*) These items should be checked as soon as possible after the building has been erected and as a part of the annual inspection.

2.0 Washing

Regularly wash away dirt and debris that have not been removed by natural rainfall. Areas of cladding that lie beneath
overhanging building details, such as those beneath the gutters are particularly susceptible to a build-up of dirt. These
accumulations are likely to hold water and pollutants, which can lead to ‘wet poultice’ corrosion. Wash cladding with fresh
water, using a hose and a soft cloth. In areas where heavy industrial deposits dull the surface, use a good quality household
detergent in solution or proprietary cleaner (follow manufacturers instructions). Always rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Guidelines:
1. Do not use a concentration of detergent greater than the 10% solution mentioned above nor a concentration of
a proprietary cleaner greater that that recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Do not use organic solvents or abrasive cleaners.
3. Mineral spirits may be used to remove caulking components, tar, and similar substances, but the surface must
then be washed immediately and thoroughly in the manner described above.
4. Always wash coated surfaces from top to bottom.
5. After washing, always rinse the cladding immediately and thoroughly to remove all detergents and cleaners.
6. Do not over-clean or scrub the surface, since this can spoil the high quality finish.

3.0 Removing Mould

Colour coated products have been specially formulated to resist fungal growth and therefore this should not be a problem in
most geographical areas. However, some types of local environment are particularly conducive to mould growth, e.g. areas
of wet, dark, or wooded surroundings or low-lying marshland. In these areas, mould will grow, even on inert materials such
as glass.
Mould can be removed by treating the affected surface with a basic solution of the ingredients shown below (by weight)
which should be available from local chemical suppliers. Before applying the mixture, wash the surface of the cladding first
as described under 2.0 washing. Then apply the mixture to all surfaces by low pressure spray or cloth. Rinse the cloth
frequently and change it and the mixture as necessary to prevent any grit or abrasive particles scratching the building. All
surfaces must be rinsed with cold water within 24 hours of applying the mixture.

The Mixture

Ingredient	By Weight
Good Quality Household detergent or proprietary cleaner	0.5
Trisodium phosphate	3.0
5% sodium hypochlorite solution	25.0
Fresh water	71.5
Total	100

4.0 Touch-up Painting

Slight scuffs are best left untreated.
If the sheet has been scratched down to the substrate, it should be repaired with a standard touch-up paint. Ensure that the
applied paint is no wider than the original scratch. Since touch-up paints are air-drying, they will, overtime, change colour
differently from the original coating, so keep the applied areas as small as possible.