How should GRC be maintained?

As a high-performance architectural decorative material, the maintenance of GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) is a key link in ensuring its long-term performance and aesthetics. Qinglong Group, with 28 years of deep expertise in the GRC field, believes—based on maintenance experience from major projects such as the Wuhan Hanxiu Theater and the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center—that quality GRC maintenance should establish a four-dimensional system of regular inspection, professional cleaning, protective treatment, and timely repair. Through a scientific maintenance plan, the service life of GRC can be extended to over 50 years, with maintenance costs controlled at 1%-2% of the initial construction cost per year, far lower than the 3%-5% for traditional materials such as stone.

Regular inspection is the foundation of maintenance. A comprehensive inspection is recommended once a year, focusing on the condition of panel joint sealant, surface contamination, and the appearance of anchoring points. In the Shenzhen Pingshan High-tech Zone Comprehensive Service Center project, Qinglong Group used drones equipped with high-definition cameras for inspection, achieving 3 times the efficiency of manual inspection. Inspection content includes changes in panel joint width, signs of sealant aging (chalking, cracking), surface color difference, and more. When panel joint width changes exceed 20% of the initial value or the sealant shows cracks over 3mm, timely treatment is required. For high-rise buildings, a special inspection every six months is recommended to ensure safety.

Professional cleaning preserves the appearance. Depending on the degree of environmental pollution, cleaning frequency can be adjusted: twice a year in industrial areas and once a year in residential areas. In the roofing project of the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, Qinglong Group used a neutral cleaning agent (pH=6-8) combined with a soft-bristle brush, keeping water pressure below 50Bar and water temperature at 40-60℃. After cleaning, check the surface hydrophobicity; when the contact angle falls below 90°, protective treatment should be considered. Important note: avoid using strong acid or strong alkali cleaners to prevent damage to the surface coating. Regular cleaning not only maintains aesthetics but also helps identify potential problems in a timely manner.

Protective treatment extends service life. The renewal cycle for GRC surface protective agents is typically 5-8 years. Qinglong Group recommends fluorocarbon coating (dry film thickness ≥30μm) or silane impregnation treatment, achieving a surface contact angle above 110° to create a "lotus leaf effect". In coastal areas with high salt mist, the protection cycle is shortened to 3-5 years. A regular maintenance system ensures the protective effect remains continuously effective, significantly improving material durability.