Are you wondering how to maintain a pole barn? Pole barns have numerous uses. For many people they are an agricultural asset as the barn protects horses, cattle, feed, or equipment. More and more people are choosing pole barn homes as they are fast to build, reasonably priced, and the open-plan structure allows for creative interior design.
Pole barn construction uses high-quality materials, and the post frame construction technique produces a sturdy building. The building is an investment, and with regular maintenance, it will give decades of use. Leaks, pests, and drafts can cause problems for the longevity of the building and impact the well-being of animals housed in your pole barn. It could also be costly when a lack of maintenance damages feed or other goods stored. Here are some of the best ways to maintain your pole barn.
Watch for leaks and drafts
Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing uses appropriately treated poles, and quality metal roofing and siding when building pole barns for clients. Even though the metal roofing and siding have a UL 2219 Class 4 hail impact resistance rating, exposure and time can cause damage.
In pole barn design, the posts are widely spaced for less thermal breaks in the finished structure and for better insulation. When you start feeling a draft, the building might require maintenance. Check the stripping around all barn windows and doors for deterioration or damage and replace if needed.
The simplest way to check for leaks in your pole barn is to walk through it in a rainstorm. It helps to create pathways when you store feed, goods, or equipment in the barn, as this will also help with maintenance checks. Leaks can start in the roof or on sidings and wainscoting. Repair a leak as soon as it is identified to prevent water damage, mold growth and air quality problems.
Rid your barn of pests
Pole barns constructed with metal roofing and siding should be relatively pest free, as the poles are treated to discourage pests. Despite the treatment, barn poles must be checked regularly for possible termite damage or under-digging impacting their stability.
Stored feed and barn animals attract pests such as mice, rats, and cockroaches. Rats and mice will dig under sidings in barns without cement floors, causing leaks or drafts. If a barn cat is unable to control the population, consider using a professional exterminator.
When you have barn swallows and don’t mind their presence, but don’t like where their nests are, provide an alternative habitat somewhere else on the property, close to an appropriate mud source. It could be nest platforms, birdhouses, or small bowl-shaped materials attached to a wall.
Make building maintenance a habit
You don’t have to do barn maintenance as regularly as you watch the weather, but do create a fixed schedule. This way your pole barn store, house, or garage will last for decades. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, as is the case in most of Colorado, doing a quick monthly review will save you money in the long term. When monthly checking and maintenance is unnecessary, do it quarterly, half-yearly, or even yearly. Maintenance should be habitual, so don’t leave it too long.
Building maintenance includes closing barn doors and windows when heavy winds are expected and removing snow from roofs even before the maximum snow load is reached. Since the painted metal used by Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing has a 40-year limited warranty, only touch-ups will be needed under extreme circumstances. Keep in mind that exposed fastener roofs should be inspected every few years to check and replace any loose fasteners.
Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing offers budget-friendly solutions to create structures and spaces for all purposes. We design the pole barn building you want while considering structure stability and optimum functionality. Do you want a pole barn house and a pole barn garage? We will design and build it for you. For all these services and learning how to maintain a pole barn, contact Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing today.