The key to making something last is proper maintenance. Whether it is a car or a tensile structure, you need to know how to properly maintain it. How do you maintain your tensile structure? Do you clean it with any soapy material you can find?
Tensile structures are known for being low maintenance. However, there are still some circumstances when you just have to clean and maintain them. Improper cleaning and maintenance could cause more problems so it is best to leave them in the hands of professionals or at least read our guide on how to do it properly below.
Cleaning
Cleaning tensile membrane structures would involve cleaning the fabric or membrane and the steel structure. The cleaning of the membrane could be as easy as letting it rain wash off the surface. Rainwater can usually clean off the surface. It is designed that way due to the special coating that it has.
However, it could still have other dirt like bird excrement or water residue stains that could be difficult to remove. When cleaning these, you should consider the coating membrane. Make sure that the cleaning agent won’t remove the coating. Additionally, soft shoes should be worn plus proper safety precautions should be done because the tensile membrane could be slippery when wet.
When it comes to cleaning the steel structure, abrasive materials such as strong acids and strong basic solutions should be avoided. Additionally, hard brushes could also scratch the steel frame. A better substitute would be a soft brush or sponge and towel.
Corrosion
It is also possible that there could be corrosion of the support structure. That is why the cables, bolts, and splint should be regularly checked. Although such parts would be treated, there is still a chance for them to be corroded so that should be carefully noted.
Snow Removal And Drainage
Tensile structures have a drain groove that makes it easier for water and other debris to slide off of it. However, it should also be checked regularly. That’s because it is possible for the debris to clog. If it is not removed, water or snow may accumulate. It has to be drained or it just piles up and may cause problems with the tension.
Second Tensioning
In order to get the correct shape, the tensile membrane should be pre-stressed. However, the wind can also cause it to be lost. When this happens, a slack on the membrane would develop.
Secondary tension could be done on adjustable parts. However, if there are none, then the only remedy would be to cut the film or membrane.
Check For Repairs
Tensile structure is known to be durable but it could also need repair through its lifetime. Minor damages on the surface calls for repair. A patch can be created if the damage is not more than 5 cm. Experienced professionals should be the ones to do the repair.
The repair of the tensile membrane will depend on what is used. For example PVDF membranes require hot gas welding. Just remember that weld on seam could be unstable and as it gets exposed to UV, it could become brittle.
