Cold weather, ice, and snow are all on the way. Soon you will be calling a contractor to remove snow and ice from many surfaces to prevent accidents on your property. Unfortunately, the material used to melt the ice and snow take a toll on many exterior and interior metal surfaces.
Ice melt products are commonly used to protect visitors and tenants from icy patches. However, the salts in those ice melt products also play the role of villain on metal railings, entrances, and benches. If not adequately maintained, the metal in and around your building can fall victim to the harmful effect of snow salt. When ice melt is not cleared away from your metal, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, or anodized aluminum siding, corrosion begins. Corroded metal can have a variety of adverse effects including weakened structural stability, the possibility of leaks, health concerns, and staining of the surfaces surrounding the metal.
While there are claims of non-corrosive deicer, it can cost 20 times as much per pound as salt and lacks supporting evidence. If the price of a non-corrosive deicer exceeds your budget, there are some steps you can take to minimize the corrosion process and avoid costly repairs:
- Place mats both outside and inside all entrances and change frequently.
- Increase the frequency of cleanings, including under the mats.
- After the weather event is over, use a leaf blower to get the loose ice melt products away from your building.
- Try to keep the snowmelt from building up on any of your metal
- Once warmer temperatures arrive, pressure wash areas exposed to ice melt including the lower building facade.
Contact KC Restoration today for more information on metal maintenance or if you have concerns about the metal in or around your building. We are the trusted experts in restoration, beautification, and preservation.