Tower maintenance is not totally unlike car
maintenance, although you do not take it to the
shop – in effect the shop comes to the tower.
Just like those regular 5000 mile oil changes and
periodic inspections, there are regular things
that must be done to a tower to ensure its continues
to perform.
Such a regular, planned schedule
will help prevent problems from reaching
the point where they threaten the tower’s integrity
and lead to structural failure.
The proper maintenance cycle starts with an
inspection of the tower structure and surroundings
Although it depends on the surrounding environment and type of tower,
a good plan would be every one to five years for a basic inspection and every
three to ten years for a full inspection.
Here’s a quick tower inspection check list:
• Tower members – at least as far as you can see.
• Bolts and other hardware; are there any signs of major rust?
• Paint condition; bright, not peeling.
• Weep holes (sometimes painters cover them!)
• Guy wires are taut and free of trees, etc.
• Insulators.
• Antennas.
• Antenna mounts.
• Antenna Tuning Units and/or isocouplers condition.
A good high powered set of binoculars can be helpful !
Plus, don’t forget about the fence. Is it in good shape, secure, locked?
