When doing the maintenance of a cold room, it is important to clean and disinfect the surface of the insulated sandwich panels without damaging the coating, which is usually metal. In this blog, we share a few tips to follow while cleaning the surface of an insulated panel without causing damage or leading to oxidation.
1. Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water
Cold rooms are ideal storage for food and beverages. These rooms need to be kept clean to avoid any dirt and contamination with bacteria for hygienic purposes. Regularly washing the panels with water will prevent that. Always clean the sandwich panel surfaces from top to bottom with clean water or a solution of non-aggressive detergent and warm water.
2. Avoid concentrated and harsh cleaners
Concentrated cleaners, abrasive solutions and solvents will cause damage to the surface of the sandwich panel. Use a less aggressive cleaner. Do not exceed the suggested quantity and dilute the cleaner. Generally, the recommended pH of the cleaner should be between 4 and 9. White spirit can be used for oil or grease stains, followed by a water rinse.
3. Use caution with high-pressure cleaning
Water hoses and high-pressure cleaning should be done carefully and not too closely or perpendicular to the panel surface. Steam cleaning can cause damage at temperatures exceeding 70°C. Generally, keep the hose at a 30cm distance from the surface, use a pressure of maximum 50 bars, and maintain the temperature between 30°C and 50°C.
Specifiers who include Isowall in their design brief can be confident that they have chosen the most extensively tested and proven panel system in the marketplace. All enquiries will be dealt with by our experienced and friendly staff who will give you prompt and courteous service.
4. Keep water out of panel joints
At the panel joints, the high-pressure cleaner should be pointed downwards to avoid pushing water into the joints and cause damage. Be careful in the washing process to avoid having any water gathering in the joints. Use non-abrasive cleaners to remove traces of dirt.
5. Follow through with a clean rinse
Always follow panel washing with a thoroughly clean water rinse, especially when using a cleaning solution. Do not leave the washing solution in contact with the metal sandwich panel surface for more than 5 minutes to prevent oxidation.
Click here to follow our guide to sandwich panel handling and care.
Isowall manufactures and distributes Insulated Sandwich Panels as Isopanels. Various facing materials, cores and finishes are available, depending on the application required, including cold rooms. Click here to find out more.
