4 Pro Maintenance Tips For Your Brand New Metal Staircase

For homeowners, metal staircases might be a less conventional choice, but they have their own advantages. Strong and modern, these staircases are capable of lasting a lifetime if you maintain them properly. Irrespective of whether they’re made of aluminum, stainless steel, or mild steel. Regular upkeep will ensure they preserve their stylish aesthetics and structural integrity for a long time to come. 

 

However, not everyone has the right idea of how to care for them. Sure, cleaning and wiping are a part of metal staircase maintenance. But if you ask professional fabricators, they will tell you there’s more to it. 

 

Here are 4 pro maintenance tips for a sparkling new metal staircase. 

 

1. Routine cleaning sessions are a must

 

Whether indoors or outdoors, dirt and debris are bound to settle on your steel staircase with everyday use. These can break down finishes over time, especially if your staircase is located in a high-traffic area. You can prevent premature wear and corrosion by cleaning your staircase regularly. 

 

Here’s how:

 

• Mix a mild detergent in warm water
• Dip a soft cloth or a non-abrasive sponge with it
• Use the damp cloth to clean the entire length and breadth of the staircase
• You can use a soft-bristle brush to clean difficult spots
• Wipe the staircase again with a clean cloth to remove soapy residue
• Next, dry it thoroughly to keep moisture buildup at bay

 

While cleaning your staircase, make sure you avoid harsh chemicals or bleach as they can cause discoloration. Abrasive pads or steel wool shouldn’t be used either, as they tend to scratch metal easily. 

 

Pro Tip: If you live in an environment with high salt content (like by the ocean), increase the frequency of wipe downs to remove salty residue. 

 

2. Opt for a protective finish

 

You can consult a trusted steel structure fabricator like Weld Rich and Steel for this. Especially if your mild steel staircase doesn’t come with the protection it should. Mild steel might be plenty strong, but if it doesn’t have a protective coating on it, rust is inevitable. 

 

To strengthen your staircase’s protection, you need to know about the following coating options:

 

• Powder coating: Available in several colors, this coating has a good staying power and is resistant to chipping
• Galvanization: This type of coating uses zinc to provide heavy-duty corrosion resistance, which makes it ideal for outdoor staircases
• Painted finishes: They might not be as durable as powder coating, but they give you more flexibility in terms of colors and can be easily refreshed

 

Pro Tip: If you have a stainless steel staircase, you can prevent it from getting dull with specialized stainless steel cleaners and clear protective sealants. For aluminum staircases, a clear anodized finish should do the job. 

 

3. Take rust prevention measures

 

Though stainless steel is less likely to rust, corrosion is still a problem you should watch out for. Keep a watchful eye on these issues that plague metal staircases:

 

• Bubbling or flaking paint
• Brown or orange stains
• Corrosion at the welds or joints

 

If the rust is light and on a surface level, simply sanding it down, cleaning it, and reapplying a coat of protective finish will do. If it’s deeper though, you should call a professional fabricator like us to check and fix the damage. 

 

Pro Tip: The best way to prevent rust is to ensure your metal stairs are always dry. For outdoor stairs, ensure you have a system in place to prevent pooled water.

 

4. Schedule periodic inspections

 

You can have a simple maintenance calendar for your metal staircase so you know what to do when. Here’s a sample:

 

• Monthly: Regular cleaning
• Annually: Deep cleaning along with recoating or repainting or resealing
• Every 3-5 years: Professional inspection by a certified fabricator

 

Conclusion

 

Whether your metal staircase is indoors or outdoors, maintaining it is the only way to keep its shine and strength intact. At Weld Rich and Steel, we not only fabricate and install custom staircases of exceptional quality, but we also offer professional maintenance tips and inspection and repair services long after the project is complete. Contact us for custom metal staircases that last long and get long-term professional support.