Common Business Sign Maintenance Issues
Business signs are a reflection of your company and brand. A sign that is damaged or faded gives a bad impression of your business and may turn away customers.
Small damages like nicks and scratches can be prevented with a can of touch-up paint. A regular inspection can help prevent vandalism and rust.
1. Dust
Unless your sign is completely indoors, it is bound to accumulate dust over time. This happens because your business signage is outdoors 24/7 and constantly exposed to outdoor elements like the wind, which brings dirt particles into the air that can fall onto the surface or crevices of your sign.
Keeping your signage clean is one of the best ways to preserve its appearance. You should do this on a regular basis by wiping it down with a soft cloth or cloth that has been slightly dampened with water. Avoid using paper products (like paper towels) and cleaners that contain abrasives, acid cleaners, bleach, or ammonia, as these can scratch the surface of your sign. For a sparkling clean surface, use an acrylic cleaning agent that is specifically designed for your type of sign or glass.
Outdoor signs may get damaged by weed whackers or lawn mowers, especially when they are located near roads or walkways. Depending on the severity of the damage, this can cause scratches and chips in the face of your sign that can be difficult to fix. For this reason, it is a good idea to put your sign in a location that will not be easily accessed by people who can accidentally damage it.
Signs that look dated or have outdated information can give customers the impression that your business is disorganized and unprofessional. In a world where consumers want to know they can trust the brands they choose, an old sign that looks neglected is sure to send the wrong message.
2. Rust
Many business signs are made of materials like metal that are prone to different types of damage. One of the most common issues that can occur is rust, which may stain or erode your sign depending on the severity of the damage and its location. It’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your sign and determine the best way to repair and prevent future rusting.
Signs with lighting fixtures also require regular maintenance to keep them in great condition. A lighted sign is a great way to attract attention and draw customers in, but if it’s not working properly, then it can detract from the overall look of your business signage. During a maintenance visit, your sign repair company should check that all lights are functioning correctly and that there is no rust or fading in the lights themselves.
Outdoor signage is especially prone to rust because of its proximity to water sources. It is a good idea to point any sprinkler heads away from your sign to avoid the hard water from damaging it. Cleaning your sign regularly will help to prevent rust and stains and will also keep it looking fresh. Aside from rust, a sign can also get damaged by vandalism or wind damage. If your sign is impacted by any of these factors, it is important to have it repaired right away to prevent further damage and protect your investment.
3. Misaligned Letters
When letters aren’t aligned properly, it’s hard to tell what the message of a sign is supposed to be. It’s a simple mistake many people make when they design their own signage that can leave the finished product looking messy and confusing.
There are also subtleties in letter spacing that can make a sign look bad, such as the way that “W” nestles closer together than an “L”. Contrasting colors is another thing to keep in mind, since it’s important that a sign be legible from a distance.
Ultimately, signs are the face of a business and it’s crucial that they put their best foot forward. When a sign isn’t working as it should or looks shabby, it gives customers the impression that the company may not be organized and careless about its products or services. Routine sign maintenance is the best way to avoid these problems and ensure that a business’s brand and messaging stays intact.
Many of these issues can be prevented with a regular cleaning schedule, or by contacting a professional to handle the problem. For example, a professional can make sure that outdoor signage isn’t damaged by using rust-proof screws and installing drainage solutions like mulch beds that will direct water away from the sign’s foundation. They can also help identify what’s causing signs to fade, so that they can determine how to restore their original coloring.
Back