How Many Years Does a Prefabricated or Light Steel Building Last? A Maintenance Guide

The answer to the question "how many years does a prefabricated building last?" depends more on maintenance than on material. A galvanized steel structural system serves for decades in a properly detailed and maintained building; the same building causes problems within a few years with a leaking roof joint. In this article we give the factors that determine service life and the annual maintenance list.

Factors that determine service life

• Galvanizing quality: The zinc coating weight of the structural profiles (e.g. Z275, 275 grams of zinc per square metre) determines corrosion resistance. The coating also protects the steel cathodically at cut edges and holes.
• Water management: Roof pitch, gutters, joints and window sill details must carry water away from the building. Most damage in prefabricated buildings is water-related.
• Panel integrity: Insulation performance is preserved as long as panel joints and corner connections stay closed.
• Type of use: Heavy loads, frequent relocation and alterations wear the building; if relocation is planned, a knock-down system should be chosen.
• Climate: Salty air by the sea and an acidic atmosphere in industrial zones wear coatings faster; maintenance intervals are shorter in these areas.

Annual maintenance list

Roof: Gutters and downpipes are cleaned; cladding screws and washers are checked, loose screws are replaced. In areas with heavy snow load the roof is inspected at the end of winter.

Facade and joints: Sealant and tapes at panel joints are checked; cracked sealant is renewed. Corner profiles and window sill drips are reviewed for water flow.

Windows: Sash adjustment, gasket and hinge check; leaking gaskets are replaced.

Ground and foundation surroundings: Water pooling around the building is prevented; the slope must run away from the building. For containers, the seating of the concrete pads is checked.

Services: Electrical panel, residual current device and earthing test once a year; in the water system, connection points and water heater or boiler maintenance at the start of the season.

Paint and coating: Scratches and the beginnings of rust on container and metal facades are cleaned and covered with primer and paint; if dealt with before they grow, the cost is low.

Common mistakes

• Piercing the cladding without sealing when fitting a satellite dish, an air conditioner outdoor unit or solar panels to the roof later.
• Hanging heavy cabinets and shelves on panels; heavy loads must be fixed to the structural profiles.
• Removing a load-bearing wall when removing an interior partition; in light steel some walls are load-bearing, ask before altering.
• Piling soil around the building and directing water towards it.
• Not ventilating a building that is unheated through the winter; condensation wears the panels and services.

Warranty and service

The user manual handed over at delivery contains the maintenance intervals and the warranty scope. Production-related problems within the warranty period are resolved by our service team; damage caused by lack of maintenance is outside the scope. You can carry out annual maintenance with your own team or leave it to us under a service agreement.

If you would like us to draw up a maintenance plan for your building together, write to us; we will send the checklist for your building type.