Silos Get Stressed Out! | Marietta Silos
Proper material flow in silos is important for more than just production schedules. Issues with material flow can cause increased stress on silo walls that may go beyond what the silo was designed to withstand. Not only does this cause cracking, spalling and possible wall separation, it can also lead to structural failure. Silos that were initially designed with internal reinforcement sometimes face cracking or delamination of the concrete. When this is seen on the silo exterior, it is important to schedule a silo inspection as soon as possible. Such damages are often caused by overstressing of the horizontal reinforcing as a result of material flow issues. What is silo post-tensioning? Tension is a critical component in silo repair. If the silo is still structurally sound, certain damages caused by failing interior steel reinforcement can be repaired by post-tensioning. Post-tensioning silo repair uses high-strength post-tensioning strands that are placed around the exterior of the silo. These tensioned bands essential take over the structural support of the original internal steel by keeping walls sturdy against additional stress caused by asymmetric flow. During this restoration process, a qualified engineer uses factors such as silo size, stored material weight and how the silo is used to determine tension specifications necessary specifications for wall reinforcement. After the strands are properly tensioned through a hydraulic process, steel lock couplers are positioned and tightened. Once completed, the tensioning assures that the silo can be safely used. Once the silo is restored through post-tensioning, it can then be returned to its actual load capacity. Request a silo repair quote by scheduling your inspection today. SCHEDULE YOUR SILO INSPECTION View our video, How Often Should I Have My Silo Inspected, or view our full library of videos on silo inspection, silo maintenance, and silo restoration on
Why Silo Cleaning Is So Important
Silo cleaning is an essential part of silo ownership. It also saves you money and maximizes production and profit. Avoiding compaction and hydration of material through regular emptying and cleaning keeps your silo in proper working order. When stored material becomes too compacted, it must be removed by a professional cleaning company. An efficiently working silo helps you meet production goals. By removing material buildup, silos are returned to their original storage capacity, and material flow issues that can slow down production are corrected. Clogged or slow running silos are a problem that will interfere with efficiency and profitability. Material buildup deters the silo from reaching its full capacity. Once a silo begins to lose flow, this accelerates the buildup over time and can lead to additional blockages. Removing this buildup can also allow you to recover lost material. Our professional team maximizes the cost-effectiveness of your silo cleaning operations by supplying the necessary industrial vacuum truck services to meet the requirements of your situation. The Boss – Silo Cleaning Techniques Professional silo cleaning companies typically use a remote, dry cleaning system to remove stubborn material buildup. The most powerful system available in the U.S. is a unique clean-out head, The Boss, proprietary to USA Silo Service that is 65% more powerful than other pneumatic systems. By removing more material faster and more efficiently than any other clean-out method, including the whip system, The Boss accelerates the cleaning process. This minimizes downtime and time spent on-site, providing immediate cost savings. The Boss is a unique clean-out head designed to accommodate variable attachments selected by our field crews to match the type of material being removed. Our silo cleaning technique includes operating in a systematic pattern within the silo to remove the toughest buildups. The Takeaway Regularly cleaning your silo can help keep it operating efficiently and limit potential liabilities. Regular cleanings also increase your silo's usable lifespan, minimize big-ticket repairs, and avoid more costly cleaning expenses. In addition, professional silo cleaning saves you time and money by removing buildup and recovering lost material. USA Silo Service, Inc. is a silo and bin cleaning, bulk storage removal/clean-out and industrial coating corporation that has serviced the needs of the industry for almost thirty years. Our silo cleaning services have been successfully performed throughout the United States and Canada and have proven benefits for our customers. USA Silo Service also provides vacuum truck and material disposal services to assist in removing and relocating silo debris. Our professional team also responds quickly to emergency silo cleaning needs. Get a Quote for Silo Cleaning Check out our full library of videos on silo cleaning, construction, inspection and repair on for more information.
Jumpform Silos: An Economical Choice
Jumpform silo construction is a newer construction method that has been used for the last 30 to 40 years. While it is a more economical solution to silo construction, the end result is also one of the strongest construction types available. The system relies on a Jumpform machine, or rig, consisting of a form and scaffolding system. This reusable silo framework is set up in just a few days. The system is available in a variety of diameter sizes, from 10' to 65'. Once the desired diameter is selected, the system is assembled on site. Once in place, reinforcement steel is set, quality control is checked, and the inside form is created. Concrete is then poured into this frame in a slow, controlled process in 4' tall intervals until the desired height is reached. The ability to ensure the quality of the reinforcement steel placement and equipment before pouring the concrete directly results in a high-quality concrete silo. Once completed, the silo will retain a grid-like pattern on the exterior where the form had been in place. What makes Jumpform silo construction so economical? In addition to the reusable frame, the incremental schedule, rather than the continuous schedule used in Slipform construction, reduces costs by approximately 20%. Additional benefits: The construction process is not adversely affected by weather events. Since the silo is constructed in 4' segments, it is easy to halt construction and pick up where it left off. The incremental process also allows staggered delivery of construction materials. This keeps the construction area smaller. Begin Your Silo Project To learn the step-by-step Jumpform process and to understand its efficiencies, watch our Jumpform silo video. Check out our full library of silo inspection videos on silo maintenance, inspection and repair on for more information.
How Often Should you get your Silo Inspected?
Time, weather and usage are all contributors to the degradation of silo structures. How often you keep your silo topped off and what kind of material you store can also impact how your silo performs. To keep your silo utilization high and your production goals on target, it's just as important to prevent material flow issues and compaction as it is to address visible damage like cracks, spalling or rust. It's important to observe your silo or storage dome frequently for signs of damage or changes in performance. This helps ensure you catch warning signs early on to address issues before they reach a critical level. However, an in-house silo inspection, cleaning, or repair should never replace professional services. Doing so increases safety risks and can lead to missed or exacerbated issues that may result in structural failure, possible environmental damage, injury, or loss of life. 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. Silo inspections should include examining the main aspects known to be potential areas of failure. These inspections should consist of the foundations, walls, cones, discharge configuration, floors, shelves, tunnels, and roofs. Experienced silo inspectors or silo engineers can only identify many serious issues during an in-depth examination of silos that are empty and free from material buildup. Therefore, when combined with silo cleaning, however, a professional silo inspection can thoroughly examine the inside of the silo structure, including roof beams and beam pockets, cones, floors, shelves and tunnels for signs of wear or damage. Sticking to a regular silo inspection schedule with a trusted professional silo inspection company pays for itself. Thorough inspection and silo maintenance, you increase the useful life of your silo, reduce unplanned downtime, and uphold production goals. What's more, the lack of silo maintenance is a leading cause of silo failure. View our video, How Often Should I Have My Silo Inspected, or view our full library of videos on silo inspection, silo maintenance, and silo restoration on .
Reduce Costly Applications of Surface Protectants
Finding a Long-Term Silo Roof Coating Silo roof coatings protect both stored materials and the silo itself. Silos experience roof movement cycling and heavy vibration during loading and unloading. This constant movement makes it important to ensure that your silo coating can move with the structure. One of the most common coatings selected by facilities is a membrane coating. While these can be made from rubbers or urethanes, they have several limitations that result in higher long-term expenses. Membrane roofs are not designed for any foot traffic as they are easily torn or punctured. Ultraviolet light and heat dry out membranes, leaving them brittle. Regular frosts and thaws can lead to cracking. A short life span necessitates frequent replacements. Membranes 'float' above the surface, allowing moisture to spread under the coating and cause unseen damage. When looking for a silo roof-top coating, high elasticity, direct bond coating products, and resistance to foot traffic provide the greatest ROI with minimal maintenance. Our environmentally-friendly roof-top silo coating adheres directly to the silo surface with a rubberized bond that moves with the silo surface during vibration from loading and unloading and vibrating equipment. This prevents chipping of the roof-top and silo coating and ensures a water-tight seal. In addition, we cover all cracks, holes, equipment attachment points, and penetrations during application to ensure water tightness of your silo. We start with a base coat that adheres directly to the roofing surface and acts as a filler for small imperfections that could lead to moisture penetration and result in roof failure. We then use a rubberized top coat, which adds durability, resistance to foot traffic, and UV protection. The unique coating can be used on both concrete surfaces and steel. Take steps today to implement our proven industrial roof coating system. Request a quote from us today.
Don’t Let Your Silo Become Structurally Unsound
Following a regular inspection schedule ensures the optimal performance of your silo and can help reduce the liability of unexpected failures. It also helps prevent unplanned downtime from unaddressed issues that slow down production, so you keep to your production schedules. Regular silo inspections can help identify issues to be addressed before they cause irreparable damage. Larger or more extensive silo damage is inherently more costly, and a silo failure can not only impact neighboring silos it can also lead to loss of life. That's why it's essential to get a regular inspection and then follow through with the recommended repairs. A professional silo inspection examines several areas that are prone to failure. Depending on the level selected, inspection includes an examination of the silo walls, foundation, cones, and roof, concrete sounding to check for signs of delamination, interior inspection, and, if necessary, services of a senior silo design engineer. It's important to make sure your review is performed by a trained professional as they can identify problems missed by the untrained eye. The Marietta Silos inspection program is designed to meet the needs of any industry. Our three inspection levels, basic, augmented, and comprehensive, can be combined with our latest supplemental inspection service to give you the highest level of flexibility. The AI Supplemental Inspection service can also be used as a standalone service between regular inspections. Using this service annually, you get an accurate, comprehensive portfolio to better track silo defect changes. The AI Supplemental Inspection service brings silo inspection into the 21st-century through the use of drone capture technology, proprietary software, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that identify even the smallest defects, map precise locations, and rank issues in order of severity. It's also the only service of its kind in the U.S., offered exclusively by Marietta Silos. Contact us today to schedule a silo inspection. When should you schedule a silo inspection? Watch our video, "How Often Should I Have My Silo Inspected?" for more information on determining silo inspection schedules or view our full library of silo videos on .
Increase Revenue Through Silo Repair
Keeping your silo in good working order starts with a professional inspection. After we have evaluated your silo for both visible and hidden damage, we're able to provide you with a list of necessary maintenance and repairs ranked from most important to least important. Types of Silo Repair Marietta Silos offers cleaning, inspection, repair, and maintenance services for concrete and steel silos and bins. As the largest silo repair company in the U.S., we're able to perform both concrete and steel silo repair. The silos we typically service include stave, poured in place, Jumpform, Slipform, bolted steel, and welded steel. Through our extensive experience in all aspects of silo construction and upkeep, we're able to identify and repair problems in silos that are used for a wide range of bulk storage in both agricultural and industrial industries. Stored Material Aggregate Borax Carbon Black Cement Clay Clinker Coal Coal Flour Fly Ash Foundry Sand Grain Products Gypsum Lime Palletized Fly Ash Salt Soda Ash How You Save What starts as a minor problem only gets more dangerous and costly to repair as time goes on. It's important to address any signs of silo damage as soon as possible through regular maintenance by a qualified silo repair company. Unaddressed or unknown silo issues jeopardize the quality of stored materials, the silo's structural stability, and the safety of nearby equipment, structures and personnel. When a silo fails due to lack of maintenance, it can bring production to a halt. The revenue losses from unplanned downtime and the expenses of an emergency repair compound so the overall cost increases substantially. By addressing problems early through regular annual or semi-annual inspections and following through with the prescribed repairs and maintenance, you're able to stick to your production schedule and take care of damages when they are less expensive to repair. Marietta Silos leads the industry in silo servicing as the only full-service company that addresses all your silo needs under one roof. We offer design, construction, inspection, repair, cleaning, coating, air-pad replacement, vacuum truck service and other maintenance services for various industries. Whether you need silo upgrades, silo strengthening, or other silo repairs – we have the necessary experience and expertise to get the job done correctly. Contact us today to schedule a silo inspection and your necessary silo repair or learn more about silo maintenance, inspection and repair in our full library of silo videos on . Schedule your Silo Repair
Ditch Conventional Silo Cleaning Methods
Conventional silo cleaning, uses a high-powered pneumatic system to remove product buildup. One of the key issues with conventional silo cleaning is the time needed on-site. Typical compressed air systems are slow and have difficulty removing hardened material buildup. This can lead to increased downtime and a higher cleaning cost. For the most effective silo cleaning, the market's leading solution is The Boss, an enhanced pneumatic system combined with a proprietary cleaning head. The Boss is 50% more powerful than conventional high powered compressed air machines. The specially designed cleaning head has various attachments, selected by our expert crew while in the field, that match the material buildup type and consistency for more effective cleaning. Silo cleaning professionals use the remote, dry cleaning system to remove even the toughest buildup while remaining safely outside the silo. This silo cleaning technique includes operating in a prescribed pattern to clean silos and storage vessels of any design and in any industry both safely and quickly. It's called The Boss for a reason – when compared to conventional methods, it removes buildup more quickly and more effectively. The Boss silo cleaning services are offered by USA Silo Service throughout the United States. As a division of the Marietta Group, which also includes Marietta Silos and Marietta Inspection Services, cleaning services can be bundled with silo inspection and maintenance to ensure economical silo care. Wondering why you should have your silo cleaned? Watch our video, "Why is it important to have your silo cleaned?" To learn more, be sure to check out our full library of silo videos on silo maintenance, inspection and repair on .
Inspect to Protect your Silo
All silos should be regularly inspected whether they are old or new, rarely or frequently used. Identifying potential problems early on through routine inspection can save you big. Silo issues that need to be remediated only become more costly to repair and more dangerous the longer you wait. Silo Inspection Cost Savings: Planned downtime is always far more economical than unplanned downtime. Routine repair of a silo will cost you much less than an emergency repair. Small repairs are quicker and cheaper than a silo failure. Ideally, silos should be professionally inspected a minimum of every two to five years. There are, however, conditions that may require more frequent silo inspection, so it's important to know when to schedule a silo inspection. Professional silo inspection covers more areas of the silo than an in-house inspection. Trained silo inspectors or silo engineers examine your silo(s) in-depth to look for serious issues and provide preventive maintenance suggestions that can help keep your silo in the best shape possible. When combined with silo cleaning, the inside of the silo structure, including roof beams and beam pockets, cones, floors, shelves and tunnels, can be thoroughly examined for signs of wear or damage. Sticking to a regular inspection schedule with a trusted professional silo inspection company pays for itself. Through inspection and maintenance, you increase the useful life of your silo, reduce unplanned downtime, and uphold production goals. What's more, the lack of silo maintenance is a leading cause of failure. The costs of keeping up with preventive maintenance are significantly lower than the price of major repairs or construction after a structural failure. Marietta Silos and USA Silos are the leading industry experts when it comes to silo inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. Contact us today to schedule a silo inspection. To learn more, be sure to check out our full library of silo videos on silo maintenance, inspection and repair on .
Do Your Bolted Steel Silo Joints Leak?
Steel silo construction is widely applicable to both industry and agricultural uses. Whether storing grain or fly ash, steel silos — like all storage silos — must keep stored materials safe until they are needed for use. As with other silo designs and stored materials, steel silos are likewise susceptible to material flow issues, leaking or other failure and require regular, routine maintenance. When it comes to maintaining your bolted steel silo, it's essential to check for corrosion and leaking issues. Over time, all steel silos are susceptible to corrosion. When evaluating your steel silo, it's important to check the amount of corrosion on the wall at the joints to identify potential leaking. Because moisture can accelerate corrosion, it's also important to examine the silo foundation or base for signs of stagnant, sitting water. Leaking steel silo joints can also be caused by weak spots in the seam as a result of an aging gasket. The gasket, located between the flanges on bolted steel silos, tanks or vessels can become dry and brittle over time, allowing moisture in or stored material out. Temperature and pressure differential from pneumatic loading or negative pressure from dust collection systems can also compromise the integrity of the seam. Our Solution When you have corrosion and leaking issues present, it's essential to have the bolted seams professionally repaired. Following inspection, Marietta Silos' repair consists of caulking all the seams, both vertical and horizontal. Once the caulking has dried, a rubberized coating material is sprayed over the caulking at the joints. This resilient coating bonds directly to the steel to restore the efficacy of your storage silo. Unlike other coatings that act as a floating membrane, the rubberized coating withstands the normal fluctuations encountered at silo seams, protects against corrosion and withstands temperature and weather extremes. The repair process offered by Marietta Silos reduces or eliminates leaks in bolted panel seams. This recent case study examines two corroded bolted steel silos that were in need of repair to avoid leaking and other failures. For this repair, the silos suffered from extreme corrosion and risked leaks due to a compromised gasket. To learn more, be sure to check out our full library of silo videos on silo maintenance, inspection and repair on .