Haverhill Recycling Center Beam Coating

Project overview

A recycling center in Haverhill was undergoing a full renovation, including the protective coating of structural steelwork throughout the building. A previous contractor had completed one side of the beam array, and J&L Maintenance were brought in to carry out the matching works on the opposite side to the same standard and finish.

The challenge

The key challenge was achieving a consistent appearance and level of protection across steelwork that had already been partially coated by another team. Existing contamination, grease and corrosion had to be removed without damaging adjacent finishes, and the new coating system had to blend visually with the work already in place. Although the work was indoors and protected from rain, the environment still demanded close control of dew point and surface temperature to avoid application defects.

Site constraints

• Working within an operational recycling facility with restricted access
• Matching the appearance and specification of coating applied by a previous contractor
• Controlling dew point and substrate temperature on a daily basis
• Removing contamination and corrosion from steelwork in a busy industrial environment

Our approach

The prepared steelwork was coated with an anti-corrosive primer followed by a durable topcoat, applied to the manufacturer’s specified build for the internal environment. Work was phased to keep the recycling center operational, with access and working areas segregated from plant traffic. Daily records of temperature and dew point were maintained to confirm conditions remained within the coating system’s application window.

Preparation and delivery

All beam surfaces were washed down using a minimum 2900 psi pressure washer to remove loose contamination, dust and residual deposits. Areas that would not respond to washing alone, including localised corrosion and embedded grime, were prepared by hand to bring the steel back to a sound, coating-ready condition. Surface temperature and dew point were recorded each day before work commenced.

System

An anti-corrosive primer and compatible topcoat system was applied to protect the structural beams against the humid, dusty conditions typical of a recycling facility. The primer and topcoat build was confirmed against the material manufacturer’s data sheet for the internal environment and expected service life.

Before and after

Project gallery

Result

The beam coating was completed across the February to March programme, with the finished steelwork matching the previously coated side and providing a consistent, protected appearance throughout the building. The recycling center remained operational during the works, and handover included photographic records and daily environmental readings.

Related services

• Industrial Coatings
• Building Maintenance