In the UK, about 71% of the country’s land area is dedicated to farming and agriculture. And when you own some piece of farmland, it’s a must to have farm buildings. These structures are typically made of steel and wooden frames with corrugated metal sheets serving as their roof and walls. They’re versatile and can be used to protect produce from elements, store equipment and tools, and even keep animals safe.

With proper maintenance, agricultural buildings can last decades. The question is, how they should be maintained? Here are nine tips for farm building owners like you.

1. Clean your farm building regularly. If you own farm sheds, one of your main responsibilities is to regularly clean them to get rid of animal carcasses and manure and keep pests and unwanted guests away. Practising sanitation measures is also important to protect whatever you’re storing from harmful pathogens.

2. Keep track of your supplies and materials. You have to keep an inventory of all the things you store in your building and ensure that they’re stored correctly. You should be especially careful with hazardous supplies like those that contain chemicals.

3. Check doors and windows for cracks, drafts, or leaks. Even in a farm building, the doors and windows are the common culprits why water and any other unwanted element can enter your property. When damages in these areas aren’t addressed as soon as possible, it can lead to more expensive-to-repair problems.

4. Check your siding and roof. Corrosion is also a common issue among agricultural buildings. And the areas that you have to check well include your roof and siding. A quick repaint can do the trick — it can keep your building functional while maintaining its aesthetic appeal. But in more serious cases, replacement is the better option.

5. Inspect drainage regularly. For any type of structure, drainage is extremely important. If your gutter, downspouts, or any other portion of your shed’s drainage system are clogged, it can cause problems such as flooding and rotting.

6. Always fix any damage found immediately. Whether it’s cracked doors or leaking roofs, or clogged gutters, the key is to resolve them immediately. Contact a reputable farm building construction and repair expert in your area to prevent such issues from worsening.

7. Do a thorough inspection after strong storms. Apart from regular cleaning, you have to conduct a comprehensive inspection whenever a hurricane (or any other strong weather phenomenon) hits your area. This is to identify if there are functional or cosmetic issues that must be addressed.

8. Maintain proper lighting and ventilation. In maintaining the upkeep of your agricultural building, you also have to pay attention if your lighting and ventilation systems are properly functioning. These components play a vital role in helping you use your buildings as safely and as efficient as possible.

9. Make sure it’s properly designed and built in the first place. Keep in mind that the durability and ease of maintenance of a farm building rely heavily on the way it was planned and constructed.

Hire a Leading Name in Constructing Farm Buildings

Fowler & Gilbert is a trusted team specialising in agricultural builds. They construct bespoke sheds, barns, and buildings — using only top-quality materials to ensure that the final output will last for a long time. They listen well to your needs, and coupled with their experience and technical expertise, their attention to detail enables them to complete a project within your desired timeframe and budget while meeting your requirements.

Want to build easy-to-maintain and durable farm sheds? Reach out to them at [email protected] or 01630 655 555 or visit https://www.flgb.co.uk/farm-sheds.htm.