Though out of sight, your silo roof should not be out of mind, especially when it comes to silo maintenance. It's important to ensure silo roofs are inspected inside and outside to check for common problems like ponding water and water intrusion, coating weaknesses, and possible structural issues with roof beam pockets.

 

Signs of ponding water on the silo rooftop can indicate a larger issue with the silo structure. Regular ponding on the silo roof also lowers the lifespan of coating membranes and can lead to deterioration and leaks, which can jeopardize stored material.

 

Many concrete silos have either a bare concrete slab roof or are covered with a membrane coating for waterproofing. Over time, membrane roof covers develop holes, allowing water intrusion under the roof cover material. Once water is under a membrane covering, it easily travels along the entire silo structure. Natural freeze and thaw cycles create additional cracks in the membrane and can worsen fine cracks in the silo's structure that can then be hidden.

 

When choosing a roof covering for a concrete silo, it is important to choose a coating that adheres directly to the concrete. This is better than a roof cover that just hides the concrete roof and future problems.

 

Concrete silo roofs are typically constructed by placing steel beams on notches (roof beam pockets) and then pouring a concrete slab on top of those beams. Silo roofs can be prone to issues with these roof beam pockets as they are an area that can be susceptible to movement. If the roof beam settles or the pocket deteriorates, it can lead to severe structural problems. The beam pockets are a vital component of the silo since they support the roof slab and all the essential equipment required for the bulk storage system to function.

 

It is important to note that problems with the supporting roof beam usually cause water to pool. It is therefore important to have the silo interior inspected to rule out potentially severe underlying structural problems. Left unaddressed, these problems become costlier to correct and increase liabilities.

 

Marietta Group provides a single source to service all aspects of your silo roofs. USA Silo Service provides an industry-leading rubberized coating that bonds directly to silo roof tops and walls and resists cracking and peeling.

 

Both Marietta Silos and USA Silo Service provide comprehensive silo inspections that can identify potential concerns with silo roofs.

 

Marietta Silos provides Silo Roof Restoration services as well as Roof Beam and Beam Pocket repair or restoration – making it easy to not just identify issues, but correct them.

 

Regular inspections of the underside of the silo roof along with all equipment are imperative to eliminate potential failures in any production system. Detecting possible issues with silo roofs early can help reduce the chance of structural failures.

 

Marietta Group can meet all your silo service needs. Bundle your silo cleaning, inspection, and maintenance service needs with us for fast, economical service you can trust.