Silo Maintenance Guide – 6 Must-Know Tips To Protect & Extend Asset Life

Silos are a hefty investment for your business. With a lifespan of 20 – 50 years and reduced storage costs, your silo should deliver a great return on your investment. Much of that longevity depends on regular checks and upkeep. By prioritising silo maintenance, you’ll maximise its lifespan and therefore your return. 

So, what can you do to ensure your silos reach the higher end of that lifespan? In this article, we explore 6 top-tips for silo maintenance as well as advice on what to do when you need help. 

6 Top-Tips for Silo Maintenance

Industrial silos and structures are constantly exposed to harsh conditions, ranging from moisture and UV rays to chemicals and temperature changes. Over time, this leads to surface damage, corrosion, and costly maintenance if not addressed.

1. Inspect – Keep on top of issues and fix them before they escalate by working silo inspections into your regular site check schedule. Include checking foundations, seals, and external coatings, especially around joints and panels. Leaks, humidity, and temperature fluctuations within your silo can cause condensation build up, affecting your stored materials and discharge flow.
2. Clean – Maintaining a strict cleaning routine for your silo helps avoid compaction and removes residual matter. Regularity of cleaning depends on what material you are storing, but a general rule of thumb is every 3-6 months for hygroscopic materials, such as cement and lime, 6-12 months for plastic pellets, and quarterly for food products. Lack of regular cleaning can result in a difference in your material flow as it exits the silo. Cleaning furthermore assists with your inspection, giving you the chance to check seals internally. 
3. Ventilate – You’ve cleaned your silo and it’s going to be standing empty for some time. This is a great opportunity to ensure it’s well ventilated and dry internally, ready for the next load. Leave the hatches open while the silo is empty and check your aeration fans are working well and not clogged to prevent future moisture accumulation.
4. Record – it may seem obvious, but an often forgotten part of silo maintenance is record keeping. Each silo should have records of when it is filled, empty, inspected, cleaned, and repaired, as well as noting upcoming maintenance.
   Your records are important for spotting recurring issues and provide everyone on site a clear picture of what is happening when.
5. Repair – Repairing early will save you money in the long run. Once an issue is logged, get in touch with your site maintenance manager or an outside contractor quickly to book in your silo repair.
6. Protect – Moisture-focused maintenance is the number one way you can help protect your silo. A correctly applied, robust outer coating will prevent corrosion for many years. The process of preparing and protecting your silo additionally improves the aesthetics, removing staining and galvanic corrosion to maintain the smart and professional look of your site. 

How Norris Commercial Refurbishment can help with your silo maintenance

Norris Contracting has over 30 years of experience in commercial painting and refurbishment. We provide professional industrial painting for silos, helping to protect them from corrosion, weathering and general wear. 

How we work

We take great care in the preparation of your silo for re-painting. As experts in the field, we generally use a thorough hand-preparation method, removing coatings, rust, and contaminants, to ensure proper adhesion and a consistent finish when the new coating is applied. We are also experienced with grit-blasting, another method of preparation sometimes required. 

This is followed by the application of a high-performance, premium paint system, almost always using two-pack epoxy. This system typically provides 10 years of long-lasting protection, reducing your maintenance costs.

Our experts are certified to work safely at height with the IPAF Plus qualification, using hydraulic, mobile work platforms to efficiently and comprehensively complete your silo painting. 

Take a look at our latest silo repainting case study here to learn more about how we work.

Contact us to discuss your silo painting requirements

At Norris Contracting, we are always happy to discuss client requirements and let you know more about our methods of working.

Contact us today to find out how we can help.