After inches of snow and brutal chill, the final traces of winter are disappearing. The thawing ground means that spring has sprung and warmer temperatures are here!
As you put away the winter coats and snow boots, you start to create your spring cleaning list:
- Prune the landscaping for new blooms and other plants
- Service the lawnmower with new blades and an oil change
- Pressure wash the vinyl siding on your stick-built home
- Declutter the pole barn just in time for garage sale season
This article discusses the five most common pole barn repairs in the spring. Moreover, you can track your progress with our FREE spring cleaning checklist!
5 Most Common Pole Barn Repairs in the Spring
1) Broken Pole Barn Gutters
The "Most Popular Pole Barn Repair" belongs to broken gutters, especially in the springtime.
Accumulated ice and heavy snowfall eventually melt, sliding off the metal roof onto the pole barn gutters. This extra weight can detach the gutter from the fastener and post-frame building. Installing snow guards on top of metal roofing panels will reduce the pressure on your gutters.
Water cannot flow properly to the downspouts if your pole barn gutters are damaged. Unfortunately, water will find a new place to go – causing rotted columns, fascia boards, door headers, and trusses.
Weakened building components can jeopardize the structural integrity of your post-frame building. The sooner you replace broken gutters, the less pole barn damage you may have (equals cost savings).
Our construction crews will replace broken gutters with new ones. As for leaks, they'll apply a bead of "Permaseal" on the 3" section where the 16' gutters overlap.
2) Metal Roofing Leaks
Arguably, the most annoying pole barn repair is a leaky metal roof. You wouldn't install new metal roofing panels necessarily. But you may have to replace valuable items inside your post-frame building. Again, water damage is no joke!
The following occurrences can cause metal roofing leaks:
- Precipitation (rain)
- Heavy or melting snow
- Ice damming
- Loose fasteners (nails or screws)
- Strong winds
Our construction crews will remove the failed fasteners allowing the metal roofing leaks. They'll apply a small amount of silicone over the existing hole. Then, the field employees will drill 2" screws through the stripped hole into new lumber.
Editor's Note: In severe cases of water damage, rotted purlins will also be replaced.
3) Punctured Pole Barn Steel
During the winter months, it's not uncommon for pole barn steel to be punctured. Maybe you got too close to your post-frame building with the snowplow. Perhaps ice caused a large tree branch to break off on top of your metal roof.
Whatever the reason, it's imperative that you replace the damaged metal panels soon. Water damage can onset, causing the steel sheet to rust. Pesky rodents (birds or mice) can make your pole barn their new home without consent.
On the bright side, our construction crews will only replace the damaged metal panels. So you don't have to throw extra money at reskinning the post-frame building.
Editor's Note: This repair job can be completed in an afternoon unless roof purlins and sidewall girts are harmed.
4) Sliding Door Adjustments
When the temperatures are frigid, your pole barn sliding doors tend to get stuck or freeze shut.
Most sliding door tracks are on the ground, subject to ice and snow buildup. They can be hard to move, causing hardware damage if you force them open.
The EasyMotion Sliding Door by FBi Buildings was designed to operate smoothly in adverse, real-life conditions. A unique low-friction polymer roller is protected behind and underneath the Posi-Guide Track.
This patented door system keeps the sliders snug to your post-frame building as it moves – no interference from gravel, ice, leaves, or snow.
Furthermore, the Posi-Guide Track is self-cleaning, and the rollers never need to be oiled. It's made of powder-coated aluminum to match your pole barn color. Download our FREE EasyMotion Sliding Door brochure for more information.
How can you move vehicles in and out if you can't open your sliding door? Talk about a major inconvenience!
Depending on the damage, our construction crews can fix your pole barn sliding doors in five easy steps. Sometimes, a total sliding door replacement is necessary on older post-frame buildings.
5) Broken or Sagging Pole Barn Trusses
Lastly, trusses handle all the stresses received from the pole barn roof (via purlins and metal panels) and transfer those structural loads to the laminated posts.
Broken or sagging trusses compromise the structural integrity of your post-frame building. Well-designed trusses are crucial because if one fails, the others follow suit. This domino effect results in building collapse.
Broken or sagging trusses are caused by a miscalculation in snow load or an abnormal amount of snowfall in your region. Avoiding this barn repair can cause more structural damage.
Our construction crews will alleviate pressure on sagging trusses and add web stiffeners where needed. They'll repair the broken board by sistering or replacing it to remedy broken trusses.
Are You Ready to Fix Your Pole Barn Repairs?
As a trusted post-frame builder, we can't stress enough how important it is to fix barn repairs in the spring. It may not be the most exciting task on your spring cleaning list, but your post-frame building is a worthwhile investment.
After you finish inspecting your pole barn and filling out our helpful checklist, you can request a repair quote. Our Repair & Renovation Specialists will answer any questions that you may have and walk you through the building process.
Do you have more questions about spring pole barn repairs that are not covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact FBi Buildings at 800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you're ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our Customer Engagement Team will help you determine the next steps of your project.