Silo Inspection Blogs

Though out of sight, your silo roof should not be out of mind, especially when it comes to silo maintenance. It's important to ensure silo roofs are inspected inside and outside to check for common problems like ponding water and water intrusion, coating weaknesses, and possible structural issues with roof beam pockets.

 

Signs of ponding water on the silo rooftop can indicate a larger issue with the silo structure. Regular ponding on the silo roof also lowers the lifespan of coating membranes and can lead to deterioration and leaks, which can jeopardize stored material.

 

Many concrete silos have either a bare concrete slab roof or are covered with a membrane coating for waterproofing. Over time, membrane roof covers develop holes, allowing water intrusion under the roof cover material. Once water is under a membrane covering, it easily travels along the entire silo structure. Natural freeze and thaw cycles create additional cracks in the membrane and can worsen fine cracks in the silo's structure that can then be hidden.

 

When choosing a roof covering for a concrete silo, it is important to choose a coating that adheres directly to the concrete. This is better than a roof cover that just hides the concrete roof and future problems.

 

Concrete silo roofs are typically constructed by placing steel beams on notches (roof beam pockets) and then pouring a concrete slab on top of those beams. Silo roofs can be prone to issues with these roof beam pockets as they are an area that can be susceptible to movement. If the roof beam settles or the pocket deteriorates, it can lead to severe structural problems. The beam pockets are a vital component of the silo since they support the roof slab and all the essential equipment required for the bulk storage system to function.

 

It is important to note that problems with the supporting roof beam usually cause water to pool. It is therefore important to have the silo interior inspected to rule out potentially severe underlying structural problems. Left unaddressed, these problems become costlier to correct and increase liabilities.

 

Marietta Group provides a single source to service all aspects of your silo roofs. USA Silo Service provides an industry-leading rubberized coating that bonds directly to silo roof tops and walls and resists cracking and peeling.

 

Both Marietta Silos and USA Silo Service provide comprehensive silo inspections that can identify potential concerns with silo roofs.

 

Marietta Silos provides Silo Roof Restoration services as well as Roof Beam and Beam Pocket repair or restoration – making it easy to not just identify issues, but correct them.

 

Regular inspections of the underside of the silo roof along with all equipment are imperative to eliminate potential failures in any production system. Detecting possible issues with silo roofs early can help reduce the chance of structural failures.

 

Marietta Group can meet all your silo service needs. Bundle your silo cleaning, inspection, and maintenance service needs with us for fast, economical service you can trust.

 

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Silo management includes several key components that help keep your bulk storage structures efficient and safe. Regular professional inspections, timely repairs, thorough cleanings, and proactive maintenance are all important silo services to plan for on your silo management calendar.

 

Regular and comprehensive inspections are critical to maintaining the structural integrity of your silos. These tall structures, vital for bulk industrial storage, require careful attention to prevent issues such as cracks, corrosion, and other signs of deterioration. By planning regular professional inspections, you can ensure potential problems are identified early, allowing for timely repairs that will help to ensure the safety and longevity of your silos. Neglecting these inspections can lead to expensive repairs and even catastrophic failures, making them an essential part of your maintenance routine.

 

Documentation is a critical part of silo inspections. Keeping detailed records of all inspections, including the date, the inspector's name, and the findings, is essential to maintaining a complete history of your silo's condition. This documentation can help you track the health of your silo over time and provide valuable data for future reference and decision-making. Accurate records can help guide your maintenance strategies, allowing you to allocate resources effectively and address issues proactively.

 

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While professional inspections are crucial, they do little good without follow-through. Addressing and repairing structural issues in silos promptly is critical for maintaining the safety and efficiency of storage solutions. When minor issues are left unattended, they can quickly escalate into significant problems, leading to safety hazards and material loss. Silo repair is not just about fixing visible damage but also about ensuring the continued integrity and functionality of the silo structure.

 

Marietta Silos is the largest silo repair company in the United States and the only one involved in Jumpform, Slipform, and concrete stave, and steel and silo construction and restoration. We have the capability to handle any type of silo repair and modification for concrete and steel silos.

 

Marietta Silos Restoration Services

 

Routine silo cleaning is a critical part of maintaining a safe and efficient silo operation. By preventing the accumulation of materials and obstructions, regular cleaning ensures smooth operational flow and minimizes unexpected downtime. Over time, stored materials can cake onto silo walls, leading to reduced capacity and potential blockages. Implementing a consistent cleaning schedule tailored to the specific type of silo, the materials stored within, and the environmental factors at play is crucial for preventing these issues.

 

Adhering to recommended cleaning schedules is not only about maintaining capacity but also about extending the lifespan of the silo. Regular cleaning complements silo maintenance and silo inspections, ensuring that all components are functioning optimally. A clean silo is less likely to develop structural issues, such as bulging or bowing silo walls, which can be costly to repair. Scheduling a silo inspection at the same time as your silo cleaning also makes it possible for a silo inspector to examine all aspects of the silo interior.

 

Including silo cleaning in a comprehensive maintenance strategy is a proactive step that can yield long-term benefits. By tailoring the cleaning process to the unique requirements of the silo and the materials it contains, one can develop a plan that is both effective and efficient. This approach not only safeguards the silo's capacity but also aligns with broader objectives of silo restoration and repair, ensuring the silo remains a dependable and productive asset for the future.

 

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One important aspect of maintenance is the updating or replacement of fluidizing equipment components. These components are crucial to maintaining the flow of materials and preventing blockages that can disrupt operations.

 

In addition to fluidizing equipment maintenance, silo walls and roofs can also be sealed to provide water proofing or seal small cracks and gaps. The rubberized roof-top and silo coating offered by USA Silo Service bonds directly to the concrete or steel silo surface and resists cracking and peeling, helping to reduce costly reapplications of surface protectants.

 

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Failing to properly care for your silos can lead to a variety of problems, such as structural failures, reduced capacity, and operational inefficiencies. A comprehensive maintenance strategy not only ensures the safety and reliability of silos but also maximizes their operational efficiency. By proactively addressing potential issues and investing in protective measures, companies can optimize their silo operations, reduce downtime, and improve overall productivity.

 

Just one call can take care of it all.

 

With our One Call Silo Service, you're able to schedule emergent and non-emergent silo and bin services with just one call. Regardless of your location in the US or your industry, Marietta Silos and USA Silo Service provides fast, cost-effective services for all aspects of your silos.

 

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When it comes to your annual silo maintenance calendar, it's always the best bet to get things on the schedule sooner, rather than later. The best plan will get all your maintenance booked at once. Doing so allows you to plan for necessary silo maintenance like cleaning, silo inspection, and silo restoration or repairs when you have a naturally lighter schedule.

 

	Silo Cleaning	Silo Inspection	Silo Repair and Restoration	Silo Construction
January	Off Season
February
March			Exterior Silo Repairs
April			Exterior Silo Repairs
May			Exterior Silo Repairs
June	Off Season			Warm/Dry Weather
July	Off Season			Warm/Dry Weather
August	Off Season			Warm/Dry Weather
September	Off Season		Exterior Silo Repairs
October	Off Season		Exterior Silo Repairs
November	Off Season		Exterior Silo Repairs
December	Off Season

 

Silo Inspection

Regular silo inspections and routine silo maintenance help you increase the useful life of your silo, reduce unplanned downtime, and uphold production goals. In fact, professional inspections are the most effective, preventive method to ensure concrete and steel structures, surfaces, and silos remain safe and fully operational. Best practices recommend professional inspections at two- to five-year intervals to help identify any issues that could lead to silo failure.

 

Silo Restoration and Repairs

Consistently monitoring the exterior of the silo can assist facilities in identifying emerging or escalating problems, potentially requiring more frequent or timely inspections. With proper design and construction, a significant portion of this damage can be avoided or reduced through regular inspections, maintenance, and a thorough knowledge of appropriate protocols. Any silo that experiences sudden deterioration or displays signs of new damage should be inspected by a professional immediately. While the end of the year is often chaotic, it's a good time to make sure silo maintenance services like restoration and repair. Minor exterior silo repairs that have been identified in a professional silo inspection earlier in the year can be scheduled during temperate times of the year, like spring and fall, as they should have little to no impact on production schedules.

 

Silo Construction

Jumpform and slipform silo construction methods are two of the most flexible in the industry today. So, what determines the construction approach? Jumpform construction is not as time-sensitive as slipform because it is completed in stages, rather than a continuous pour. When looking at the best time of year to schedule your silo construction project, it's often wise to book dryer times of the year, such as the summer, to help prevent weather-related delays.

 

Don't delay. Get your annual silo maintenance scheduled today.

 

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