Sign Maintenance

Are you having problems with your sign maintenance? Are your signs and shelters in need of repair? Are you having difficulties getting customers and generating sales for your business? It's common knowledge that any well-designed sign needs to be maintained in good condition, in order to increase its effectiveness. Signage professionals can help you by providing a free inspection and give you a full-service consultation on your specific needs.

The inspection is a thorough examination of your signs' inventory, repairs, deterioration, and other issues. A good sign maintenance company will conduct a thorough inspection prior to any sign repair or installation. Some common signs inspected include inventory, floor, roof, and sign face stock.

Inventory comprises the list of materials replaced or repaired during the year, as well as the inventory held for future sales. A complete inventory report will show signs that require repair and replacement and forecasted material costs for the next five years. A sign maintenance company will conduct a comprehensive inventory review, including signs, shelters, and pavement, on a current sign installation project. They will also inspect the location's drainage, walkways, parking lots, interior of the building, exterior of building, and surrounding vegetation. A sign maintenance company can determine if an existing pavement sign face stock is in need of replacement or repair, or if it can be saved and utilized for another purpose. A qualified sign maintenance company will offer a clear zone analysis, identifying zones that require repair, and zones that are in need of replacement or in good condition, for easy future signage.

The repair inspection identifies signs that require holes to be dug, or signs that require signs to be replaced. Typically, these repairs consist of removing damaged, broken, or torn materials to repair holes in the sign face stock, or replacing a damaged sign surface stock. Signs that require holes to be dug will include shelter, food stands, gas station, and retail stores. On the other hand, signs that only need replaced signs may include telephone numbers, or information signage for traffic or directions. Signs that only need replaced sign surfaces will include information signs, sign faces, pavement, wood posts, and signage for street signs and historic markers.

Sign inspection typically includes a visual inspection of the signs, which include a visual inspection of the layout, color, lettering, shapes, and retroreflectivity levels. Traffic sign retroreflectivity levels are determined by OSHA and provide criteria for marking construction materials that are in compliance with federal regulations. These standards provide an effective means for determining retroreflectivity levels, which determine the amount of light that travels through a sign, thus illuminating the public and preventing drivers from being distracted by dark or foggy conditions.

A sign cleaning service may conduct inspections of signs daily to maintain quality performance. Signs may need to be cleaned to remove debris, and dust that collects due to weathering, or aging. Signs also need to be cleaned of dirt and grease to prevent machinery from seizing while in use, and to improve sanitation. Sign cleaning companies can prepare signs for cleaning using a biological agent such as rotary paste, or an organic solvent, which does not damage the sign face when removing debris. Some cleaning companies have the skills and equipment to perform a comprehensive sign cleaning job, including removal of vegetation control, which helps to preserve the sign face and increase durability.

Sign maintenance should include monthly inspections, as sign material can become damaged over time due to exposure to weather, vandalism, or graffiti. Monthly inspections should detect and correct any potential vandalism or signs of erosion. In addition, signs should be inspected for signs of warping due to improper signs maintenance. Warping can occur if the sign is not dried after being exposed to the air, or if the humidity is high and signs are not stored properly.

Bullet holes are another cause for concern during sign maintenance. Sign panels that are prone to bullet holes should be inspected on a regular basis. In general, the sign should be removed from service, and the hole filled with a sealing agent such as epoxy paint. After the filling process, the sign panels can be reassembled and reinstalled on the frame. If the sign is damaged in a previous repair, it should be replaced in that style.