When many customers choose spiral steel silos, they will ask a very practical question: Will this kind of silo slowly start to leak after ten or eight years of use?
The answer is actually very clear: spiral steel silos will not inevitably have leakage problems simply because of the increase in service life.
Leakage, or leakage, is essentially mostly related to the integrity of the sealing structure, the quality of on-site installation, the degree of corrosion of steel plates, the level of daily maintenance, and abnormal environmental conditions. It is not a natural result of “it will happen when the time comes.”
Next, we will disassemble a few questions that everyone is most concerned about: why does the spiral steel silo leak?Is the position of the spiral bite the easiest to enter the water?How to check and prevent daily?What should I do if I really find a leak?
Why Is the Sealing Performance Of Spiral Steel Silos Generally Better?
The main silo wall of the spiral steel silo is made of thin steel plates continuously spirally rolled by special equipment.Between the adjacent steel strips, the spiral edge-locking structure formed by the bending of the equipment bites together, and the entire silo wall is a continuous spiral seam, rather than a circle of horizontal splicing joints and vertical welds like the traditional flat welding silo.
The most direct benefit of this structure is that it greatly reduces the potential leakage points caused by a large number of horizontal splicing in the traditional silo type.The continuously formed silo wall has stronger integrity, uniform seam path, and is not prone to uneven local gaps.
Here is a confusing concept to explain: the spiral bite structure first assumes the role of structural connection, which guarantees the strength and integrity of the silo wall, but it is not equivalent to a waterproof seal in itself.
The bite of the steel plate provides the structural foundation, and the final waterproof performance depends on the sealing design, construction technology, and the quality of the finished product inspection.
In other words, a qualified spiral steel silo is not “no seams so no leakage”, but the structural foundation of a continuous spiral and a reasonable sealing design jointly achieve a better leak-proof effect.
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What Causes The Spiral Steel Silo To Leak Over Time?
The Installation Is Not Standardized Or The Sealing Treatment Is Not In Place
In many cases, there is no problem with the quality of the steel plate itself, but the leakage is in the installation process.
The on-site adjustment of the spiral edge locking, the docking between the top of the silo and the cylinder body, and the opening connection of the inlet and outlet ports, if these parts are not done in accordance with the process requirements during construction, it is easy to leave hidden dangers in the gaps.
The choice of sealing material is also very critical.The sealants and gaskets suitable for different parts and different temperature environments are different. If the wrong model is selected, or the glue is not continuous and there are bubbles during construction, the sealing layer will fail before long.
It can be said that the quality of on-site installation is the first threshold that determines the final leak-proof performance of the steel silo. No matter how good the steel plate is used, if the installation is perfunctory, the risk of leakage will still be very high.
Corrosion And Surface Damage
Steel silos have been in an outdoor environment for a long time, and corrosion is an unavoidable topic.
In ordinary dry inland environments, the corrosion rate of steel plates is very slow, but if it is a humid and rainy area, a coastal salt spray environment, or the materials stored in the silo are corrosive and will evaporate corrosive gases, the corrosion rate of steel plates will be significantly accelerated.
Once the galvanized layer or anticorrosive coating on the surface of the steel plate is scratched or worn, and the local protection is lost, the corrosion will slowly spread from the damaged point to the surrounding area.Over time, not only will the thickness of the steel plate be thinned, but the seal at the seam position will also be opened by corrosion, and then leakage will occur.
In daily inspections, the location of the junction between the bottom of the silo and the foundation, and the area where the top of the silo is prone to water accumulation are all key areas where corrosion is high, and more attention needs to be paid.
Connection Problem Of Silo Roof And Ancillary Components
Many people will default that the leakage is on the wall of the steel silo, but in the actual project, the root cause of many leakage problems is not in the cylinder, but in the connection between the top of the silo and various ancillary accessories.
The splicing seam of the top cover of the silo, the sealing of the cover of the manhole, the rainproof structure of the vent, the opening position of the feed and discharge, and the fixed points of external accessories such as ladders and guardrails. These locations are where different parts are spliced, and they are also weak points for waterproofing.
If these parts are not treated with targeted waterproof sealing, or the seals are not replaced after aging, rainwater can easily seep into the silo along the gaps.Many times it looks like the silo wall is leaking, but in fact, the water flows down from the top of the silo along the inner wall.
Extreme Weather and Poor Drainage
In the event of heavy rain, blizzard or continuous strong wind, the waterproof pressure of the steel silo will be much greater than usual.
Especially the drainage system at the top of the silo, if the design is unreasonable, or the downspout is clogged by debris, and the rainwater cannot be discharged in time, stagnant water will form on the top of the silo.The longer the water accumulates, the greater the osmotic pressure on the sealing layer, and the water seepage may slowly appear in the sealing place that was originally no problem.
Once the external rainwater enters the silo, it will directly cause the surface storage material to be damp and agglomerated. If it is not found in time, it may also penetrate deep into the material, affecting the quality of the entire silo material.
Will The Spiral Bite Seam Itself Cause Water Leakage?
This is a question that customers ask a lot: since the warehouse wall is rolled up in a spiral, is this spiral seam the easiest place to leak water?
In fact, under the premise of normal production and manufacturing, the spiral bite seam itself is not a natural leakage point.
The waterproof ability of the spiral connection mainly depends on the forming accuracy of the steel plate bending, the bite tightness of the locking edge, and the quality control in the manufacturing process.The equipment of regular manufacturers has high forming accuracy, uniform edge-locking bending angle, tight bite, and matching sealing treatment. The waterproof ability of this seam is reliable.
Only when the accuracy of the equipment is poor, the manufacturing process is rough, or the adjustment is not in place during on-site installation, resulting in inconsistent tightness of the bite joint and local gaps, this location will become a hidden danger of leakage.
Therefore, when purchasing spiral steel silos, you can’t just stare at the thickness of the steel plate and the quotation level, but also pay more attention to the manufacturer’s manufacturing process, the processing details of the connection parts, the quality of the steel plate coating, and their on-site installation experience.These seemingly detailed places are the key to determining whether the warehouse leaks or not.
How To Prevent Leakage From Spiral Steel Silos
Choose Coated Steel Plates Adapted To The Environment
The anticorrosive coating of steel plate is the basis for determining the service life and leak-proof ability of the warehouse.
The hot-dip galvanized coating commonly used in the industry, such as the Z275 specification, means that the amount of double-sided galvanized is 275 grams per square meter. This is currently a coating grade that is widely applicable in common scenarios such as grain and building materials.
But it is not that the thicker the coating, the more cost-effective it is.In ordinary inland dry areas, conventional galvanized layers are sufficient; in coastal salt spray or highly corrosive environments, thickened coatings are required, and even additional anticorrosive coatings are used.The core of the choice is to match the actual use environment, rather than blindly pursuing high parameters.
Strictly Control The Quality Of The Manufacturing Process
Good waterproof performance has already begun from the manufacturing stage of the factory.
The forming accuracy of steel plate coiling directly affects the bite quality. If the size deviation is large, it is difficult to flatten tightly for on-site installation.The bending angle and occlusal depth of the spiral locking edge must be determined according to the process standards, and there must be no loosening or false bite.
There are also the treatment of welding parts, the reinforcement of the opening position, and the polishing of the corners. These details will affect the subsequent sealing effect.Regular manufacturers will have overall quality inspection before leaving the factory, including size verification, seam inspection, and coating inspection, and leave the problem to the factory to solve.
Ensure That On-Site Installation Specifications Are In Place
On-site installation is a key step in waterproofing, and it almost doesn’t work.
First of all, the level of the foundation must be up to standard. If the foundation is uneven, there will be stress on the installation of the warehouse body, and the joints will be easily pulled apart after a long time.When the warehouse body is assembled, the butt of the spiral seam should be smooth, and it cannot be forcibly pulled into place.
At the connection positions of the warehouse roof, manhole, and inlet and outlet, the gasket should be placed upright, and the sealant should be evenly beaten, and there should be no breakpoints or gaps.After all the installation is completed, an overall inspection must be done. If there are conditions, a sprinkling test can be done to confirm that there is no leakage before delivery.
If it is a supplier that provides turnkey projects, the ability of engineering design and on-site installation guidance is particularly important. A professional installation team can avoid many common hidden dangers of water leakage.
Adhere to Regular Daily Maintenance
The steel silo is not installed once and for all, and daily maintenance can eliminate many leakage problems in the bud.
Do a comprehensive inspection at least once a year, focusing on whether there are rust spots on the surface of the steel plate, whether the coating is damaged, and whether the seals on the top of the warehouse and the various connecting parts are aging and cracking.
Before each rainy season comes, clean up the debris and downspouts on the top of the warehouse to ensure smooth drainage and avoid stagnant water.If you find minor problems such as cracking of the sealant and loosening of the screws, repair them in time, and don’t wait for the water to seep before treating them.
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How To Tell If The Spiral Steel Silo Is Leaking
There is no need to wait for the water to drip down, in fact, there are many signals that can detect leakage in advance.
If there are local water marks and moisture marks on the inner wall of the warehouse, especially at the seams and below the top of the warehouse, there is a high probability that there will be water seepage.
If the stored grain or powder appears to be partially agglomerated or the surface surface is damp, it is necessary to be wary of the possibility of water entering.However, it should be noted here that the moisture of the material is not necessarily caused by the leakage of the warehouse wall, it may also be caused by the temperature difference in the warehouse, or the ventilation is not good, and the moisture content of the material itself is too high. Attention should be paid to distinguishing and investigating.
From the outside of the warehouse, if there is unexplained rust on the wall or top of the warehouse, especially the rust extending down the seam, it is likely that it is rust brought out by water seepage in the gap.There is also a key observation after the rain, whether there is local water seepage or watermarking, and whether there are traces of water flowing through the location of the roof connection.
If there is abnormal local corrosion on the outside of the warehouse, it is more rusty than other places around it, and it is necessary to check whether there is water seepage inside or stagnant water on the back.
What To Do If a Spiral Steel Silo Leaks
There is no need to panic if you discover a leak; simply follow these steps to address it.
Step 1: Pinpoint the exact location of the leak. Do not assume the silo wall is leaking just because there is water inside; first, determine the source. Is the water seeping from a spiral seam in the silo body? Is it running down from the roof or the edge of a manhole? Or is it leaking through the gaps at the inlet or discharge ports? It is best to inspect both the interior and exterior simultaneously, matching exterior damp spots or rust marks with interior seepage points to locate the leak more quickly.
Step 2: Determine the cause of the leak. Once the location is identified, determine what caused the leak. Has the sealant aged and detached? Has the steel plate corroded and rusted through? Is there a gap caused by external impact? Or is water seeping in due to clogged drainage? Sometimes, moisture inside the silo is actually caused by condensation rather than an actual leak; in such cases, the issue should be resolved through ventilation and temperature control rather than blindly sealing gaps.
Step 3: Repair the damaged area with targeted measures. If the seal has simply failed, clean off the old sealant and apply new sealant or replace the gasket. If the coating is damaged or there is minor corrosion, remove the rust, apply anti-corrosion paint, and ensure a proper seal. If the corrosion is severe or the steel plate has structural damage, do not attempt haphazard welding repairs yourself; instead, contact the original manufacturer or professional technicians to assess the situation and determine a repair plan to avoid compromising the structural safety of the silo.
Step 4: Implement preventive measures to avoid future leaks. Do not simply walk away after the repair; take the opportunity to inspect the roof drainage system and surrounding seals, addressing any other potential hazards. Based on the cause of this leak, adjust the focus and frequency of your daily inspections and establish a routine maintenance schedule to minimize the likelihood of future problems.
How Long Can The Spiral Steel Silo Be Kept Without Water Leakage?
There is no fixed standard answer to this question, because there are too many influencing factors.
The material of the steel itself, the type and thickness of the coating, the local climate and environment, the characteristics of the stored materials, the level of installation quality, the daily maintenance is not in place, and whether the initial design is reasonable, these will affect the leak-proof life of the steel silo.
In dry inland areas, it is common for normally maintained grain spiral warehouses to have no obvious leakage in 20 or 30 years.However, if it is a highly corrosive environment along the coast and is not maintained very much, corrosion and leakage may occur in five or six years.
Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the service life and leak-proof performance of the spiral steel silo are determined by the design, manufacturing, installation, environmental conditions and maintenance level, not simply by the age of the silo.After doing all aspects well, it will naturally be able to maintain water leakage for a long time.
What Should Be Checked Before Purchasing Spiral Steel Silos?
If you want to buy a spiral steel silo that is not easy to leak, you can focus on checking these aspects when purchasing.
The first is the basic material parameters: what grade of steel is used, what specifications are the coating, and how much galvanized is there. These are the most basic guarantees.
Then look at the manufacturing details: what process is used to produce the spiral connection, how to control the molding accuracy, is there any additional sealing treatment at the seam position, and how the connection parts of the warehouse roof and various ancillary accessories are made waterproof.
It is also necessary to understand quality control: what quality inspections will manufacturers do before leaving the factory, and whether there are any links such as size verification, sealing inspection, and coating inspection.
Service and experience are also very important: can the supplier provide on-site installation guidance, whether there is supporting after-sales support, and whether it can provide past project cases or customer references.
Instead of simply comparing prices, paying more attention to these actual technical details and the engineering capabilities of suppliers can choose equipment that is more worry-free for long-term use.
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Conclusion
To sum up, the spiral steel silo itself does not naturally leak water because of its longer service life.
The vast majority of leakage risks are related to irregular installation, seal failure, corrosion of steel plates, poor drainage, inadequate handling of accessories, and lack of daily maintenance. It is not necessarily related to “The warehouse should leak when it is old”.