Essential Knowledge to Help Prolong the Lifespan of Your Quonset Hut

Summer is just around the corner, making it the perfect time to get out in your yard and start working on your outdoor space. A great investment you can make to help transform your outdoor space is in a metal garage kit that will enable you to build your own Quonset hut.

These unique, sturdy and versatile steel structures are often used for storage or as garage space but they can also be turned into entertainment areas, a home gym space or even a kid’s playroom area. Whilst they are known for their strength and resilience, they do need regular care and maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition.

If, like so many people, you’re considering investing in a metal garage kit to make your own Quonset hut, read on to find out about how to maintain it post-build.

Why is Maintenance Important?

Ever seen The Last of Us on HBO? As well as been terrifying and captivating at the same time, the post-apocalyptic TV show demonstrates to us the fragility of human made structures. With no maintenance, sprawling metropolises soon give way to the ever increasing encroachment of Mother Nature. 

Your Quonset hut will be no different. Without regular maintenance, weeds, pests, rust and a whole host of other outside factors will eat away at your latest yard purchase. There are ways you can keep Mother Nature at bay though, such as:

Conduct Regular Rust Reviews

Steel is strong. Steel is sturdy. Steel is also susceptible to rust though, which is why regular rust reviews and the appropriate corrective action are essential. Keep it as dry as possible and apply protective paint coatings to deal with potential issues.

Clean Gutters and Drains

It’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary. Blocked gutters and drains not only increase the risk of rust but they can make your hut into an eyesore, so keep them cleaned and drained regularly.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

This kind of goes back to the first point, but keep an eye out for gaps and cracks, using protective paint and fillers if necessary. Not only can these defects increase the risk of rust, but they can introduce added moisture into your hut which can damage the items stored inside. Oh, and they also provide an open gate for pests like mice, so keep them blocked!

Reinforce Anchors and Foundations

Like it or not, extreme climate events are becoming more and more common. That means that we have to take more proactive measures to protect our property and particularly outdoor structures like Quonset huts.

After extreme rainfall, check the ground levels and reinforce foundations if necessary. Same goes for extreme wind events. Assess the structural integrity of your hut post-storm and make any repairs needed.

Utilise Protective Covers

Protective covers are an awful lot cheaper than Quonset huts and way less effort than monthly coating of protective paint, so why not use them? Yes they might look unseemly, but they will prolong the life of your hut and are particularly handy in winter.

Do I Need Regular Maintenance Checks?

Yes, everyone buying a Quonset hut needs regular maintenance checks, but there are some factors that make them more important. Here are a range of conditions that will increase the frequency of your maintenance checks:

• Heavy snowfall
• High humidity
• Coastal areas with salty air
• Consistent exposure to extreme wind events
• Storage of moisture producing items 

If any of the above apply to you, be sure to take extra care and effort to maintain your Quonset hut. In general, quarterly reviews in line with the seasons are enough for most people, but if you live in an environment cited above you may want to consider monthly reviews and you’ll definitely want to invest in protective covers.

Protecting your investments is an important factor of making the most out of something you have invested in, especially when it comes to a Quonset hut.