Summer storms have created a need for grain storage structures. One option is to use bins that may not have been used for a while. However, a storm may have impacted the bin, or there may be deterioration that has occurred since it was last used.

Ken Hellevang, professor emeritus and retired North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer, recommends doing a thorough inspection and maintenance of the bin before using it.

An initial inspection should look for alignment, any indents or bends in the bin sheets, the connection between the roof and wall, and the wall connection to the foundation. Walk completely around the bin to see if the walls are straight, the eave is parallel to the ground and no wall or roof sheets are dented or deformed.

“A bin can slide on its foundation, so check if the bin appears to be centered on the concrete foundation,” says Hellevang. “Also, check if doors are intact and not out of square.”

Does the sealant between the bin wall and the concrete foundation look to be intact? If the sealant is damaged, then the wall sheets or anchors may have failed.

Hellevang advises that the following should be examined during a facility inspection and its maintenance:

Foundation

• Inspect concrete foundation for cracking and uneven settlement on either side.
• Are any anchor bolts or anchor plates missing, bent or broken?
• Does the concrete show any cracks that indicate that the anchor bolt is not being held securely?
• Are there bolts or bolt heads missing? Is there any stretching or other indications of movement at bolt holes? Are the bolts tight?

Walls

• Inspect grain bin base and sidewall for rust.
• Are the wall sheets buckled or flattened? Deformation may overload steel, resulting in a loss of strength.
• Ensure there are no loose or missing bolts in sidewall.
• Check caulking between sheets for dryness and cracking.
• Inspect bolt holes and bin sheets for shearing and tearing.
• Inspect door openings and other openings in the wall. The opening frame should be square with no frame member buckling. The welds should not have cracks or otherwise show signs of failure.
• Stiffeners (vertical members attached to the bin wall) should be straight. The bolts attaching the stiffener to the wall, wind rings and foundation should not show evidence of deformation. The base plate connecting the stiffener to the foundation should sit flush on the foundation with shims installed as needed.
• Wind rings may be used on the bins to help keep the bins round. The wind ring bolt connections, attaching the ring to the wall or stiffeners, should be present and tight. The rings should be round in shape and not deformed.
• From the doorway, examine the interior of the bin walls for damage.
• Look for light entering the bin from damaged components.
• If a raised aeration floor is installed, check if the floor attachment to the wall is damaged and if all bolts are present. Also, look for wall deformation near the raised floor line.

Roof

• Look at the inside of the roof to see if the roof sheets look damaged (bent). If the roof is attached to the wall through clips and bolts, inspect the bolts and clips for damage and tightness.
• Examine the roof for bent or deformed roof sheeting ribs. Are the sheets running evenly down the roof slope?
• Are the roof-to-wall clips and bolts that connect the wall to the roof sheeting present and tight?
• Are the supporting roof rings round and secured in place with tight bolts if present on the roof?
• Is the door for the top opening in the bin roof bent or dislocated relative to the opening in the roof? The seal should be intact and capable of sealing so moisture cannot enter the bin.
• Examine roof vents. Damaged vents will affect the aeration system.

Electrical/controls

• Check junction boxes at the fan and all controls.
• Is the electrical conduit damaged? Are conduit joints sealed and intact? Does the conduit run straight, or is it pulled away from a straight run?
• Are connections to the fan motor and all controls and sensors intact and sealed?
• Electrical cords, connections and cables must be inspected for mouse damage, corrosion, frayed wires or bare areas in wiring. Corroded connections can cause malfunction of electrical equipment and can be hard to locate later on.

Grain handling equipment such as bucket elevators, downspouts, cross conveyors and support structures should also be inspected for damage caused by the wind, by stresses from movement of attached bin parts or by deterioration. Again, look for alignment, deformation and connections that will impact the function and strength of the equipment.

Hellevang says that filling a bin that has some damage may lead to an imbalance in loading, which could lead to a bin failure. There may also be entry points for water and inadequate aeration due to air leaking out of the bin rather than going through the grain.

Using proper respiratory protection, sweep and clean the interior of the bin. Pay special attention to cracks and any areas, such as inside stiffeners, and obstructions that may allow debris to build up — they can harbor insects or mold. Thoroughly clean walls, floors, grates, doors, door ledges, ladders, steps, hollow tubes and channels. Vacuum or brush all surfaces thoroughly. Remove all dust and debris from fans, exhausts, aeration ducts and under slotted floors as much as possible. Disposing of debris away from the storage facility assures that insect activity does not return to the storage area from this material.

Hellevang recommends inspecting and cleaning the ductwork; this includes checking under the floor in bins equipped with a metal floor above the concrete foundation. Inspect beneath the floor for trapped grain, broken slats or contamination. Even small pockets of old grain can harbor spoilage organisms that compromise airflow and system performance or harbor insects. Remove debris and ensure the subfloor is structurally sound. 

If there are areas that are hard to clean, such as under perforated flooring, empty grain bin insecticides can be very helpful in controlling insect activity. 

All workers should know lockout/tagout procedures and how to de-energize or turn off equipment, and they should be trained in the proper use of equipment. Proper protective equipment must be worn, especially respiratory protection.

“While preparing facilities is essential for successful storage, so is worker safety training,” says Hellevang.

For more information about grain storage, visit ndsu.ag/grainstorage.

For more information about storm damage, visit ndsu.ag/summerstorms25.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Aug. 13, 2025

Source: Kenneth Hellevang, 701-261-9869, kenneth.hellevang@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu