How to Maintain GRC?

As a vital component of building facades, GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) decorative elements require scientific maintenance strategies to ensure their long-term aesthetics and safety. Drawing on 28 years of experience in GRC R&D, production, installation, and maintenance, Qinglong Group believes that GRC maintenance should follow a systematic approach of "prevention first, repair second." Through the practice of benchmark projects such as Shanghai Xinghewan and the Wuhan Hanxiu Theater, we have summarized three key aspects of GRC maintenance: regular inspection, professional cleaning, and targeted repair.

The foundation of GRC maintenance is establishing a regular inspection mechanism. Routine inspections are recommended every six months, focusing on anchor points, joint sealant conditions, and surface coating integrity. In the Shenzhen Pingshan High-tech Zone Comprehensive Service Center project that Qinglong participated in, we adopted a combination of drone patrols and manual verification to carry out systematic inspections of the 30,000-square-meter GRC curtain wall. For high-rise buildings, special attention should be paid to the bolt tightening of the back-mounted steel frame system to prevent loosening caused by wind-induced vibration. Before typhoon season, inspection frequency should be increased to ensure seismic components are working properly.

Professional cleaning is the core aspect of GRC maintenance. Cleaning solutions should be selected according to the type of contamination: plain water at a pressure ≤50 Bar is recommended for ordinary dust, while oil-based stains can be treated with neutral detergent and a soft-bristle brush. In the Nanning Wuxiang China Resources MixC project, Qinglong customized a dedicated cleaning process for colored GRC perforated panels to prevent strong acid or alkali agents from damaging surface coatings. Note that cleaning frequency should be adjusted according to environmental conditions: projects in industrial areas should be cleaned at least twice a year, while residential areas may extend the cycle appropriately.

Timely repair when damage occurs is crucial. Micro-cracks (width ≤0.2mm) can be sealed using a low-pressure grouting process, while localized damage should be repaired with matching repair materials from the original manufacturer. The cross-border maintenance system Qinglong established for the Algeria hotel project ensures that any quality issue receives a response within 72 hours. For large-scale damage, entire panels may need to be replaced, which is when same-batch spare components reserved by the manufacturer become especially important.

The success of GRC maintenance depends on a sound record-keeping system. Qinglong establishes an independent "identity card" file for each project, containing key information such as component numbers, installation dates, and maintenance records. This digital management approach makes maintenance work more precise and efficient. With a systematic maintenance plan, GRC can easily achieve a service life of over 50 years, truly delivering "one-time investment, lifelong benefits."