Radio masts and towers are high-risk structures. A potential failure—such as the collapse of the structure—could result in serious property damage or endanger lives. Therefore, every effort must be made to ensure that your mast equipment is in the best possible condition.
Aluminum poles are highly resistant to corrosion but susceptible to freeze-thaw cracking if water gets inside them. Once a season (every 12 months), preferably in early spring, you should inspect them for any structural cracks. AluPro poles are specially protected in this regard by a drainage system; nevertheless, this is one of the components that requires regular inspection.
In the case of steel structures, there is also the issue of corrosion protection. When replacing bolts and clamps, it is important to consider the type of material used—so that the difference in electrochemical potentials between the connected elements does not accelerate pitting corrosion at their point of contact.
The second important issue is the guy wires. Just a few years ago, galvanized steel cables with a diameter of 3 mm were the standard for smaller structures. Today, after several years of use, corrosion can reduce their strength to dangerous levels—we know of cases where a break occurred as a result of a simple tug. We recommend regularly inspecting the cables and replacing them with cables at least 4 mm in diameter, from reputable manufacturers, that are certified and properly galvanized.
The third issue is tension. Over time—subjected to thousands of cycles of wind loads—the ropes stretch. You should regularly adjust their initial tension and, while doing so, inspect the turnbuckles, turnbuckles, and anchor points for corrosion or thread damage.
Aluminum towers require significantly less maintenance. Inspection is limited to checking for any frost cracks, verifying the tightness of the bolts on the flanges, and replacing them if significant corrosion is present.