Your signage is one of the hardest working members of your team – it’s on duty 24/7 and 365 days a year so it pays to give it a little TLC from time to time.
Business signage guides customers to your door, reinforces your brand identity and creates that crucial first impression. But weather can take its toll – rain gets into gaps and seals, sunlight fades colours and dirt and grime build up faster than you think. Add to that daily wear from footfall and general handling and even well-designed signs can start to look a little worse for wear.
Regular maintenance protects what you've invested in your signs. It keeps your business looking professional and helps you avoid expensive emergency repairs down the line.
Why Sign Maintenance Matters
Your signage is the first impression people get of your business - a clean, well-maintained sign instantly tells them you care about the details. Faded graphics or a mouldy green wonky panel send the opposite message, even if everything else about your business is running smoothly.
There's also the safety angle. As well as being unsightly, loose fixings, cracked faces and electrical faults are hazards. A falling sign panel or exposed wiring can cause injury and leave you facing serious liability. Many premises also have insurance, lease or planning conditions that require signage to be kept in good repair. Regular checks catch problems early, and replacing a corroded bracket is far cheaper than dealing with a sign that's come down in high winds.
What to Look Out For
Outdoor fascia and shopfront signs are exposed to the conditions. Rain, exposure to UV and traffic pollution can all take their toll, leading to faded colours, lifted edges or corroded fixings. Illuminated fascias can also develop water ingress or patchy lighting.
Totem signs and monoliths are designed for sitting outdoors, often in high winds, but fixings can become loose over time – especially at the base. Water pooling at ground level can cause problems too, including rusting.
Window graphics suffer from UV fading – especially when they’re south or west facing. Ammonia-based glass cleaners or rough cloths can damage the vinyl, cause scratches and lift edges. Once peeling starts, dirt can get trapped under the edges and make the problem worse.
Interior wayfinding and wall graphics suffer from scuffs, fingerprints and general daily wear, especially in high-traffic areas. These signs can also become outdated as rooms change use, departments move or staff change, so they should be reviewed regularly to make sure they’re still accurate.
Floor graphics are walked on all day, so they have the shortest lifespan of any signage. High heels, trolleys, wheeled equipment and cleaning products all wear through floor graphics. Edges begin to lift, especially in wet areas like entrances, and become trip hazards in need of quick attention.
Illuminated and LED signs last a long time but can still dim over time or develop dead spots. If seals fail, moisture damage can cause problems. Electrical components also have a finite lifespan and need servicing periodically.
Our Top Tips for Sign Cleaning
The wrong cleaning method can do more harm than good. Here's how to clean the most common sign materials safely.
A tip: if you already use a window cleaner, they can often add exterior sign cleaning to their regular visits. Just make sure they know which products are safe for your particular signs.
Vinyl and Window Graphics
Do:
Dust with a soft microfibre cloth
For deeper cleaning, use lukewarm water and pH-neutral soap
Wipe gently with a cloth or soft sponge
Rinse with clean water and dry with a lint-free cloth
Don't:
Use solvents, glass cleaners with ammonia, abrasive pads or high-pressure washers
Scrub too hard or use anything that could lift edges, fade colours or damage the adhesive
Acrylic (Perspex) and Polycarbonate
Do:
Clean with lukewarm water and non-abrasive, pH-neutral soap or anti-static cleaner
Use a clean microfibre cloth
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry to avoid water spots
Don't:
Use alcohol, ammonia or solvent-based cleaners
Use abrasive pads or paper towels (even fine scratches can show up on clear or gloss finishes)
Aluminium Composite and Metals
Do:
Rinse off loose dirt first
Wash with pH-neutral detergent and a soft sponge or brush
Rinse well and dry to prevent streaks and water spots
Don't:
Use strong acids, alkalis or citrus-based degreasers
Use scouring pads or pressure wash near joints and seals (these damage protective coatings and can let water in)
Printed Banners and Fabrics
Do:
Lay the banner flat
Wipe with lukewarm water and a little mild soap using a soft cloth
Rinse and air dry
Don't:
Scrub harshly or use solvents, bleach or pressure washing
Do anything that could damage the print or weaken the material
Exterior sign care through the seasons
The Yorkshire weather means your signs face rain, wind and the occasional freezing temperatures. Here's what to watch for through the year.
Spring: After winter, check for water damage, corrosion and loose fixings. Freezing and thawing cycles can crack seals and make fixings loose. Spring's a good time for a thorough clean and inspection.
Summer: UV exposure fades colours over time, especially on south-facing signs. If you're installing new signage that'll be in direct sun, consider UV-protective coatings.
Autumn: Check seals are intact and fixings are tight before winter sets in. Clear fallen leaves and debris from around ground-mounted signs.
Winter: Keep an eye on signs after heavy rain or freezing weather. Water ingress in cold weather can cause serious damage to illuminated signs. Check that fixings stay secure in high winds.
Year-round: Urban pollution and road grime build up fast. Regular cleaning keeps signs bright and stops long-term staining.
Illuminated Sign Servicing
Illuminated and neon signs need a bit more care than non-lit signs. LEDs are reliable but they're not maintenance-free.
Start with regular visual checks. Look for dimming, flickering or patchiness. If part of the sign is darker than the rest, a module or power supply might be failing. Check after heavy rain for misting inside the sign. This means water has got in and needs dealing with quickly.
Clean illuminated signs with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh solvents that can damage the sign.
Illuminated sign servicing should include checking electrical connections, inspecting seals and replacing any failed LED modules. This work needs proper training, test equipment and often working at height with the right access gear.
For anything involving electrical work, height or opening up the sign housing, call a professional. Signs must be properly isolated before any electrical work begins. Working on live electrics or at height without the right training and equipment is dangerous and often illegal under health and safety laws.
Repair vs Replace: How to Decide
Not every problem needs a new sign. If the damage is cosmetic and the structure and fixings are sound, repair or refurbishment is usually the way to go. Scuffs, minor fading or a single cracked letter can be fixed. Replacing a panel, applying new vinyl or swapping out an LED module is far cheaper than a full replacement.
If the sign has structural damage, widespread failures, outdated technology or no longer fits your brand, replacement makes more sense. An old fluorescent-lit sign, for example, might cost more to keep running than a new LED equivalent would cost to buy and install.
Consider the lifespan left too. If a sign's ten years old and showing its age across the board, patching it up might only buy you a year or two. A new sign with a warranty and modern components is often better value.
Keep your Signs Looking their Best
Good sign maintenance isn't complicated. A simple routine of visual checks, regular cleaning and annual servicing keeps your signage looking professional, safe and on-brand. It also saves money by catching small problems before they become big ones.
Whether you're responsible for a single shopfront or a multi-site operation, investing a little time and budget in sign maintenance pays back in customer confidence, safety and longevity.
If you'd like help with deciding whether it’s time to clean, repair or replace your signage, reach out to our friendly local team online, call 01904 806020 or email york@fastsigns.com. We'll help you keep your signage looking its best, year after year.