Spring Inspection of Commercial Stairs and Railings

With our Colorado weather finally breaking, it’s time to head outdoors. If you have a commercial property, take some time to perform a thorough inspection of your property, including wooden and metal areas of stairs and railings. These areas are problematic for slips and falls so keeping them in good condition helps your customers stay safe. Here is what to look for in your spring inspection of commercial stairs and railings.

With wood and metal, you’ll want to do a full inspection and look for standing water. This can lead to problems down the line. Water should be routed away from walls, foundations and stairs. Before making any repairs, addressing the underlying issue should be the first priority.

Wooden Elements

Over the winter, it’s possible the moisture from snow and rain has seeped into the wood and caused damage. Inspect all wooden surfaces looking in particular for rot, mold and mildew. If you find water damage, you should consider replacing the pieces as soon as possible. They may not hold up much longer for customer usage. When dealing with rot, immediately look for repairs and replacements.

When dealing with wooden elements, repairs are more simple. Since wooden elements can easily be removed, such as a step or piece of railing that is damaged, placing new pieces brings the stairs or railings back to properly working. A professional can make short order of this kind of repair.

Metal Elements

Metal is no exception to water damage. Standing water can degrade the metal and cause ugly rust. Beyond that, it can cause the stairs or railing to lose its strength and ability to support customers. As the metal degrades, it can become shaky and break. This too should be replaced with haste.

Metal rails and stairs are a bit more difficult to repair without removing and replacing large sections. Bring in a professional to help with jobs of this sort. Normally it will require cutting metal and soldering pieces together.

Painting

Once the appropriate repairs have been made, a paint job will typically be in order. Either stain or paint will make the new wooden pieces match to the old for a seamless finish. With metal, a full paint job is the usual answer. This will not only hide the repairs you have made, but also give the remaining metal a new coating to protect it from future water.

Call us

If you have found any signs of damage, or potential water intrusion, our experts are here to help. Schedule a free, on-site estimate and inspection.