In order to meet the Coverworld Group guarantee on the external PVDF coated steel sheets, and extend the life of the materials, it is important that the building is inspected and maintained at least annually, including the washing of all slopes and walls. This will need to be recorded on an Inspection and Maintenance Report an example of which is shown at the back of the downloadable form.
Rainwater alone is often sufficient to keep exterior surfaces looking clean and bright. However, in order to maximise the lifetime of the organic coated product, it is important that accumulated dirt and debris that have not been washed away by normal rainfall should be removed regularly by cleaning. This reduces the risk of ‘poultice’ corrosion. Washing may be carried out with a hose and a soft bristled brush, using fresh water. In areas where heavy industrial deposits dull the surface, a solution of fresh water and a good quality household detergent or proprietary cleaner may be applied to ensure thorough cleaning. For household detergent, use a 10% solution; for proprietary cleaners, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Always rinse thoroughly with clean water.
When cleaning please note the following:
Some types of local environment are particularly conducive to mould growth, e.g. areas of wet, dark, 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 listed below (by weight), which should be available from local chemical suppliers. Before using the first three of the following ingredients, you should refer to the manufacturers health and safety information.
| Good quality household detergent or proprietary cleaner | 0.5 |
| Trisodium Phosphate | 3.0 |
| 5% Sodium Hypochlorite Solution | 25.0 |
| Fresh Water | 71.5 |
| Total | 100.0 |
Before applying this mixture, wash the organic coated product first, as described under the Washing section, then apply the mixture to all surfaces using a low pressure spray or brush. All surfaces must then be rinsed with cold water within 24 hours. The organic coating has been specially formulated to resist fungal growth; in most areas of Europe this should not therefore be a problem.
During inspection, you may find that the organic coated product has suffered some damage. It is better not to treat the surface of the organic coated product if it has been slightly scuffed. If it is scratched more deeply, say down to the substrate, the damage can be easily repaired by applying standard touch up paint. It is important to ensure that the applied paint is no wider than the original scratch. To achieve this, the paint should be applied with a medium to fine artists paintbrush. Touch up paints are, of necessity, air drying; whereas the original coating was oven dried; over time they will change colour differently from the original coating. For this reason, it is good practice to keep the applied area as small as possible.
Corrosion at the edges of the profiled steel cladding should be rectified as described below.
Surface preparation and over painting of cladding should be a carried out by specialist contractors using approved maintenance paints. Cleaners, touch up systems and materials for treatment of edge corrosion or over painting are generally available from reputable paint manufacturers. Do not hesitate to contact our technical department if necessary.
This inspection is based upon good practice. It should be carried out annually throughout the lifetime of the building. The items marked with asterisks should be checked soon after the building has been erected and during every annual inspection.You should watch for changes in the condition of the coating, particularly as you approach the end of the Period To Re-Paint Decision (PRD), which is the minimum length of time before a building owner needs to consider whether to re-paint the cladding.
| TO BE CHECKED | REQUIRED ACTION |
| Blocked Gutters – Blockage may cause overflow into a building | Clean and wash out any blockage |
| Build Up Of Debris – A build up can cause ‘poultice’ corrosion, i.e. the debris retains water forming a poultice. | Remove debris |
| Dirt Retention In Areas Of Cladding, Not Washed Naturally By Rainwater – This affects the appearance of the building and could, if left, cause breakdown of the coating. | Wash down. See Washing section. |
| Mould Growth – This rarely occurs, but can arise in extreme conditions and affect appearance. | Wash down and treat as described under Mould Growth section. |
| Local Damage * If the damage has broken through the protective paint coating, this could cause corrosion of the substrate. | Assess extent and type of damage. Actions may involve: 1.Touching up affected area. See Touch Up section. 2.Over painting affected area. See Over Painting section. 3.Replacement of damaged sheets. Contact the original sheet supplier. |
| Drilling Swarf, Rivet Stems & Other Fixing Debris * – These can rust and cause staining. | Remove debris. |
| Condition Of Fasteners * – Faulty or inappropriate fasteners can cause leakage, or rust staining on the surface of the cladding, or both. | Replace faulty fasteners and any missing caps. |
| Corrosion Of Cut Edges – Corrosion of cut edges at sheet overlap and at overhangs can, if ignored, spread up the sheet. | Treat as described under Treatment Of Edge Corrosion section. |
*To be checked soon after the building has been erected and during every annual inspection.
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