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Concrete storage domes are an indispensable asset to many industries, providing secure and efficient storage for bulk storage of cement, gypsum, limestone, fly ash, frac sand, copper, iron carbide, coke, wood pellets, and more.
However, over time, these structures can become compromised by various factors, including weather conditions, material build-up, and normal wear and tear. When this occurs, it becomes essential to schedule comprehensive cleaning, inspection, and maintenance services to restore your dome to its optimal performance. To maintain optimal efficiency and productivity, it is crucial to schedule regular professional dome cleaning services.
The frequency of concrete dome cleaning services depends on several crucial factors. When you work with an expert silo cleaning company, like USA Silo Service, their highly-trained silo specialists can help provide you with a recommended dome cleaning schedule that should work for your specific industry and application. USA Silo Service, in conjunction with Marietta Silos, can also provide dome inspection services, maintenance, and restoration or repair for your concrete dome.
There are numerous considerations at the start of any silo construction project. While silos can seem like a relatively straightforward structure, a lot goes into silo engineering and construction. The many factors of silo construction and engineering, in addition to fluctuating material costs, make it impossible to set a standard cost of silo construction.
Working with an experienced silo engineering company can take the guesswork out of the project and make sure you start off on the right foot. Once you have determined the most appropriate quantity and size for your silo, it's natural to begin considering the silo construction costs and looking for ways to maximize your spend.
What construction material is the most cost-effective for my silo?
Steel and concrete are the most frequently utilized material for silo construction. Both steel and concrete silos are used in various industrial settings for bulk material storage of ash, coal, lime, aggregate and more. When comparing the two construction materials, concrete is the clear winner.
Not only are concrete silos far more durable than their steel counterparts, concrete silos are generally less expensive than metal silos, particularly when you consider the total cost of ownership. Steel silos suffer from expensive corrosion issues and are highly susceptible to structural failure from high winds and excessive internal pressure. Compared to steel, concrete has many benefits when it comes to designing and building silos, leading to less upkeep required to maintain their overall functionality and safety.
What is the total cost of ownership for a silo?
A well-maintained silo can and should last decades. When looking at silo construction cost, it's important to look beyond the upfront expense alone. Though concrete silos withstand more than steel silos, all silos require routine maintenance and inspection. A proactive inspection program can safeguard your team members and ensure your structures' safety and continued operation. Regular examinations can identify potential problems and avoid wall collapse, fractures, and deterioration of the structure, which may result in accidents or fatalities in the workplace.
What silo construction method, stave, slipform, or jumpform, is best suited to my needs?
Stave silos are constructed using staves, precast concrete blocks, that interlock. For added durability, Marietta Silos produces staves that are 5 ¾", versus the standard 2" thickness.
Slipform silos are constructed using a custom-built form system and a continuous pour that necessates silo completion before construction can be halted. Slipform silos have a smoother, joint-free, exterior. It is typically used for silos that are larger and 65' in diameter or when several concrete silos need to be constructed at once.
Jumpform silo construction is typically the most economical silo construction method thanks to the reusable silo framework that can be set up quickly. Jumpform silo construction is also one of the strongest silo construction types available as the controlled process makes it easy to check the quality of the reinforcement steel placement and equipment before pouring.
Ready to move forward with the construction of a new silo? Learn how to choose a silo contractor or schedule an inspection of your existing structure.
Sticking to a regular silo inspection schedule with a trusted professional silo inspection company pays for itself. Regular silo inspections are one of the best ways to help prevent production delays, regardless of the industry. Wait too long to have your silo inspected and minor problems can turn into serious structural issues in what feels like the blink of an eye.
When it comes to the proper intervals for silo inspections, best practices recommend professional inspections at two- to five-year intervals to help identify any issues that could lead to silo failure. While a professional silo inspection is a great first step, it's important to ensure any necessary maintenance, restoration, and repair identified in the inspection report is followed through on. To minimize downtime and further reduce production delays, silo inspections can be bundled with other silo services. Full-service companies are able to provide inspections, silo cleanings, and often repair services in one mobilization so you can get things up and running again as soon as possible.
Scheduling your silo inspection at the same time as your silo cleaning also means the inside of the silo structure, including roof beams and beam pockets, cones, floors, shelves and tunnels, can be examined for signs of wear or damage. This helps you get the most for your money and can minimize downtime and expense while ensuring your silo continues to operate safely and efficiently for years to come.
Routine cleaning of bulk storage vessels like bins, silos, and domes is one of the best ways that cement plants, cement and concrete batching plants, manufacturing facilities, and others can prevent unplanned downtime. USA Silo Service is your go-to silo cleaning company for expert silo cleaning. Check out their latest blog on Cement Silo and Dome Cleaning.
