7 Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your Used Pallet Racking

Insider Tips to Get the Most from Your Used Pallet Racking

When it comes to warehouse storage solutions, the value of used pallet racking increases the longer it’s in service. Not only does this cost-effective investment continue to meet your operational needs, but it also provides long-term benefits as your warehouse adapts and grows. With the right care and maintenance, used pallet racking can be a smart choice that delivers ongoing savings and efficiency for years.

To achieve these goals, consider implementing the following seven tips, each of which will help you extend the usefulness of your pallet racking system.

1. Regular Pallet Rack Inspections

You must inspect all your pallet racking systems regularly. OSHA recommends rack inspection at least annually –or more often for busy, high-traffic environments. During a regular inspection, you want to look for corrosion, rust, and any signs of damage or excessive wear and tear. Be sure to check anchors (which can come loose over time), beams, bolts, braces, columns, and struts. Look for missing safety clips, misaligned decking, and capacity overload, in particular.

One way to ensure your racking is thoroughly inspected is to hire the Apex PROs. Our certified rack inspection specialists will thoroughly evaluate your racking and provide the most cost-effective remedy… we’ll even install repair kits or replacement parts with as minimal disruption to your operation as possible.

Apex PROs will also maintain detailed records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs, ensuring compliance with safety standards and tracking changes to your used pallet racking over time. This helps minimize surprises and reduces their potential impact.

2. Prevent Overloading

It’s crucial to manage loads properly to minimize the risk of damage to your used pallet racking. Achieving this requires attention to several key factors. First and foremost, your team must understand the pallet rack’s load capacity. Even if two racks look nearly identical, they may have different capacities, and overloading can lead to significant issues.

When you purchased and installed your “new to you” rack system, you should have worked with a system engineer to establish specific load criteria for your setup. This process includes obtaining plaques that clearly detail the load capacity based on how the system is being used. You will also follow the same process if you need to adjust the rack system due to inventory changes at some point down the road. Moving beams within the structure will affect the load capacity and stability of the entire system.

Don’t skip this step, even if the rack system was previously in another facility. Failing to verify and adhere to the proper load limits can result in overloading, leading to structural failures, potential collapses, injuries, employee downtime, and costly losses in both finances and productivity.

3. Only Use Quality Components

Let’s face it. Rack inspections may result in issues that will require immediate attention. To address these issues adequately, you’ll need to either repair or replace the damaged component(s).

Avoid the impetus to rush the repair if the proper solution is not readily available. Even if you have to wait a few days longer, be sure to complete the repair with a quality solution that meets the manufacturer’s specifications. 

Do not combine different brands or types of racking with your used pallet rack—unless you are working with a trusted system engineer. The risks are exponentially greater than waiting a short time to receive a customized repair kit or proper new component. Check out our related blog for more information on mixing and matching rack components. 

4. Implement Safe Operating Procedures

A fundamental way to reduce the risk of damage to all your pallet racking is by properly training your staff in safe loading and unloading practices. Ensure employees use the correct equipment, like forklifts with suitable attachments, and follow safety guidelines, such as maintaining speed limits and making proper turns in and out of the aisles.

Make sure all operators are certified and receive regular training on safe equipment use and any updates on operational procedures. Promptly communicate any new loading methods and address any questions. For the safest warehousing environment, schedule driver training and forklift certification with Apex!

5. Apply Protective Coatings

Far too often, warehouses wait too long to address two major issues with regard to used pallet rack damage: corrosion and rust. Avoid following suit by applying protective coatings to any of your racks’ exposed metal surfaces. Although this is especially pertinent in environments with high chemical exposures or high humidity rates, strive to apply protective coatings even if your warehouse isn’t located in this type of environment. 

The choice between powder coating or a galvanized finish simply depends on your unique needs. If you’re seeking a damage-resistant, thick finish that won’t require much maintenance, consider powder coating. If the harsh conditions in your facility increase the likelihood of corrosion, hot-dip galvanizing may be a better option.

To reduce corrosion- and rust-associated damage, Apex offers a variety of custom fabrication options for your used racking purchases. 

6. Avoid Excessive Impacts

Aside from training employees regularly, you can diminish rack damage by protecting your racks in several ways. First, pallet rack guarding such as column protectors and end row guards. Such protection will minimize the impact of forklifts (and other equipment) should they strike your racks. 

Moreover, don’t overlook the importance of traffic management protocols. Determine exactly where you’d like forklifts and other equipment to be (and not be) and train your employees accordingly. Think about which distances—between your racks and aisles—are most prone to increasing the likelihood of rack damage, and then create protocols that will direct excess traffic away from these susceptible areas.

End Row Guards	Column Guard

7. Engage with Professionals

Without question, the long-term maintenance of used pallet racking can appear to be an arduous task –from inspections to repairs to safe operating procedures. However, here is some great news: you don’t have to do any of this alone.

Apex Companies offers full-service support, beginning with quality used pallet racking and staying with you through any customization, installation, inspections, repairs, and even operator training.

Your safety and operational efficiency are our goals! Contact Apex today for more information or visit our website to shop our new and used pallet racking products.