How To Prevent Rust
Learn how to prevent rust in your home
One of the most common defects found around the home is rust. It's unsightly and can cause serious issues or even safety hazards if left unaddressed. Learn the best ways to prevent rust in your home in this blog.
1. Keep metals dry
Rust needs the right conditions to occur – namely, a high amount of moisture and exposure to the sun.
As such, you should endeavour to keep metals dry where possible. This can be done by ensuring there is great ventilation in and around the home and applying anti-rust coating such as powder and zinc coating.
2. Keep your metals clean, especially your roof and gutters
When metals get dirty, generally it is from things like mud or dirt. Mud and dirt can hold water, so when they stick to metal it creates moisture that can produce rust.
By keeping metal clean from dirt and mud, you are keeping them free from another source of moisture.
One of the most common places to find rust is in your gutters, because water gets caught in debris and builds up causing the metal to oxidise and rust. Blocked or rusted gutters and rooves can lead to serious issues around the home, such as:
- Subfloor and foundation issues from water overflowing and pooling next to the house
- Interior leaking in the ceiling and roof void
- Termites as they are highly attracted to damp areas
- Serious cases of roof rust can also be at risk of collapsing
That's why you should keep your roof gutters clean to prevent a build-up of moisture, safety hazards and serious building defects like those mentioned above.
3. Paint the metals around the home
If you’re looking to prevent rust, using paint to insulate the metal from oxygen and moisture is a wise choice.
However, you must choose the correct type of paint. This is because certain paints, such as water-soluble paint, only makes rust worse.
Instead, consider using rust proofing paints or zinc-rich primers. When applied, these products are specifically designed to stop oxygen and water from touching the metal underneath.
4. Avoid damage
Damaged metals have a greater risk of rusting for several reasons. When metal is scratched or scraped, it removes any sort of coating from the surface and further exposes it to the elements.
Not only that but the smoother the metal surface, the less water it can hold.
Scratches and cuts on the metal surface hold and trap water, which is why you should endeavour to keep your metal surfaces free from such damage.
5. Deal with the rust quickly
Rust spreads quickly, but you should be able to remove it if you act fast enough.
You can do this by physically scraping it off using a sander, grinder or oscillating tool. Alternately, there are chemical options you could use.
Ultimately, whatever method you use, the most important thing is to be vigilant. Get in early and get rid of rust before it becomes a larger problem.
Contact us today
If you are buying or selling a house, contact Dedant for a building inspection today! We will visually check all accessible areas of the property and identify where rust exists.
We have been servicing Brisbane, Redland Bay, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Logan since 2009.
Contact us on 07 3807 0122 or via our website.
