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A silo collapse is a nightmare scenario for any facility manager. While these structures look indestructible, their integrity depends heavily on how they are maintained and cleaned. At USA Silo Service, we see the consequences of neglected maintenance far too often.
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Material Buildup and Bridging
When material clings to the walls (buildup) or forms a bridge across the diameter of the silo, it creates massive internal voids. When these hang-ups finally break loose, the sudden release of material can strike the hopper or floor with a force known as a dynamic load. This impact is often enough to blow out the bottom of a silo. -
Asymmetrical Discharge
If material is only flowing from one side of the silo, often due to a partially clogged discharge gate or uneven buildup, it creates non-uniform pressure on the walls. Silos are designed for uniform pressure; asymmetrical loads can cause the structure to "oval" and buckle inward. Professional silo cleaning is the only way to ensure even flow and balanced pressure. -
Ignored Maintenance Post-Inspection
Identifying a hairline crack or a rusting hoop during an inspection is only half the battle. Without timely repairs, these warning signs can progress into major structural failures. We emphasize that maintenance and repairs are an investment in safety that far outweighs the cost of an emergency recovery. -
Clogged Venting and Pressure Issues
Proper aeration and venting are vital. If a bin vent becomes clogged with dust or moisture, pressure changes during filling or emptying can exceed the silo's design tolerances.
Protect Your Assets and Your Team
The best way to prevent a collapse is through a combination of regular cleaning, thorough inspections, and proactive maintenance. USA Silo Service offers The Boss clean-out system and comprehensive maintenance services to keep your facility running smoothly and safely.
Get a jump on your next cleaning or silo maintenance project.
At USA Silo Service, silo maintenance is an ongoing commitment to inspection, professional cleaning, and preventive care. While it's important to keep your silos clean, you should never attempt to clean a silo or remove material buildup yourself. Using unskilled workers to break up material inside a silo is extremely dangerous and often results in severe injury or death. Our trained specialists utilize proprietary, non-entry methods to safely and efficiently correct flow issues.
Want to make sure you're keeping up with your silo maintenance? Use this checklist to guide your team in safe, routine monitoring and know when to call USA Silo Service for professional cleaning, material removal, and critical component maintenance.
Part 1: Operational & Exterior Checks for Facility Managers
These are safe, ground-level checks that facility managers can perform weekly or monthly to monitor system health.
Part 2: Professional Service Required (Always Call USA Silo Service)
The following tasks involve Confined Space Entry, specialized equipment, or critical system maintenance. USA Silo Service professionals must be called for these services.
Conclusion
Routine professional inspection, cleaning, and preventive maintenance keep silos safe, efficient, and long-lasting. Contact USA Silo Service to schedule your next material removal or maintenance service today.
For decades, silo inspection has relied on a trained eye, methodical evaluation, and years of experience identifying signs of wear and deterioration. While that expertise remains essential, new technology is helping Marietta Silos take inspection accuracy and efficiency to another level. Our AI Silo Inspection service combines artificial intelligence with drone-based data collection to provide a clearer, more complete picture of your silo's condition.
A Smarter Approach to Structural Health
AI Silo Inspection uses drone capture technology to collect high-resolution images and video of the entire exterior of a silo or bulk storage container. These images are processed using proprietary software that creates a 3D digital twin of the structure. From there, artificial intelligence algorithms analyze the surface to detect cracks, spalling, corrosion, and other types of damage.
Each defect is recorded on the 3D model, identified by type, and ranked by severity. The result is a visual, data-driven record of the silo's condition that can be used for maintenance planning, budgeting, and risk assessment. Because the AI software can detect even very small defects, smaller than 0.1 millimeters, it provides a level of detail that helps identify issues long before they become critical.
Faster, Safer, and More Consistent
Traditional exterior inspections often require scaffolding or rope access, which can limit visibility and increase downtime. Using drones allows our inspectors to safely access every part of a silo's exterior, regardless of height or location. In many cases, images can be collected in a matter of hours, giving facility managers the information they need without interrupting operations.
The AI Silo Inspection report provides detailed analytics, including images, damage mapping, and severity rankings, along with Marietta Silos' professional recommendations. When used annually, this service builds a consistent record of exterior condition over time. Tracking changes year by year helps facility managers identify trends, prioritize repairs, and reduce the likelihood of unexpected failures.
Supporting Comprehensive Silo Care
AI Silo Inspection can be used as a standalone service or as a supplemental inspection between regular professional inspections. It is also available as an add-on to one of Marietta Silos' three inspection levels. By integrating AI-driven analytics into an ongoing maintenance plan, businesses gain a more reliable foundation for asset management and budgeting.
As part of our commitment to advancing silo safety and performance, Marietta Silos continues to invest in tools and techniques that make inspections more precise and efficient. AI Silo Inspection represents an important step in that direction, combining modern data analysis with our long-standing expertise in silo engineering and repair.
To learn more about how AI Silo Inspection can enhance your maintenance strategy, visit mariettasilos.com/ai-inspection.
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