Sandwich panel maintenance: inspections, cleaning and documentation

Start your maintenance plan with the product documentation

The envelope of an industrial building, cold store or production area may operate in different conditions. A maintenance plan should relate to the specific panel, its coating and how the building is used. In its maintenance instructions, Ruukki points out the importance of the environment and regular inspection of the envelope. A generic description such as “sandwich panel” is not enough to determine all the necessary tasks.

Collect the manufacturer’s instructions, delivery documents, warranty terms and repair history. If you do not know the coating type, note this and try to obtain the data from the supplier before choosing cleaning chemicals or paint. In the building’s internal plan, designate a person to collect reports, a place to store photos and a way of passing defects on for assessment. This is a practical organisational suggestion, not an additional universal legal obligation.

What should you check during an inspection?

Balex recommends an inspection at least once a year, and more often in more aggressive environments. Among other things, it lists coatings, edges, joints, fasteners and seals. The frequency should be related to the instructions for the product you have; there is no single statutory frequency for all panels.

During a walk-round, record the location of any change you notice, rather than limiting the note to “facade damaged”. Useful details include the gridline number, the elevation or room, and the panel reference. Record impact marks, colour change, scratches and signs of moisture separately. Comparing with a photo from the previous inspection will help the assessor establish whether the problem is new. Carry out inspections from safe access points, without stepping onto the envelope on an ad hoc basis.

Cleaning: choosing a method rather than one recipe

Ruukki’s instructions make the washing method dependent on the coating and the type of soiling. They stress the importance of suitable cleaning agents, removing residues and making sure water can drain away. That is why we do not give a single temperature, pressure or detergent concentration as a recipe for every industrial building.

Kingspan warns against abrasive agents and unsuitable solvents, and against damage caused by incorrect cleaning. Before starting, confirm that the cleaning agent is compatible with the product instructions. If the soiling does not come off, do not increase the aggressiveness of the treatment on your own. Record the name of the agent used and where it was tested, so that the next person knows what has already been applied. Removing soiling from the whole facade is a separate scope to be agreed; this guide is not an offer of such a service by Panel Cure+.

When should damage be referred for assessment?

With a scratch, depth matters, not just length. Kingspan distinguishes between superficial damage and damage reaching the steel substrate. The GreenCoat instructions, in turn, describe the need to assess the condition of the existing coating before it is refurbished. Simply painting over a mark is not a diagnosis.

Refer in particular any areas whose nature you cannot identify: delamination, a recurring sign of leakage, deformation after an impact, or a change that reappears after an earlier repair. We do not decide from a photo whether such an element has retained its required properties. Pass the information on to the facility manager and the person responsible for technical assessment. If there is a risk to people, first activate the building’s safety procedure; the service form does not replace making the area safe urgently.

A simple log helps compare the condition of the envelope

A good inspection note should make it possible to find exactly the same spot a few months later. We suggest one entry per location and a set of photos taken from a similar direction. You don’t need to start with an elaborate system: what matters is consistent labelling and access to earlier records.

• Date, person reporting and location reference on site.
• Description of the change observed, without guessing its cause.
• An overall photo and a close-up, taken without putting the photographer at risk.
• Information about cleaning, impacts or repairs, if known.
• Agreed next step, responsible person and status of the report.

After the work is done, attach the agreed scope, the completion record and new photos. Such a log organises information; it does not guarantee that the warranty is preserved, nor does it replace the documentation required for the building.

How do you report a problem to Panel Cure+?

Panel Cure+ operates within Panel Montage and handles the screening of service requests and localised panel repairs. Send the site location, photos, the approximate size of the problem and product data if you have it. Add information about access and whether normal plant operations are taking place where the damage is.

Describe the expected outcome in your own words: improved appearance, protection of localised damage, or an explanation of what should be done next. Confirmation that the work can be carried out follows once the scope has been identified. Not every enquiry qualifies for localised repair. Depending on the problem, a separate assessment or agreement with the manufacturer may be needed. We do not claim to repair all defects, provide comprehensive maintenance of a whole industrial building, or hold authorisation from the manufacturers named in the sources.

Sources and scope of information

Checked on 24 October 2026. Based on the sources listed below. This educational content was prepared by Panel Montage. The procedure depends on the specific panel, coating, damage and manufacturer’s recommendations. This article is not an individual repair assessment or an instruction for working at height.

1. Balex Metal: sandwich panel maintenance and washing instructions, 31.01.2024
2. Ruukki: sandwich panel installation instructions, part IV: maintenance
3. Kingspan: installation guide, chapter 5: inspections and maintenance, edition 08.12.2025
4. Ruukki / SSAB: maintenance of GreenCoat coated steel, instructions in Polish