Telescopic steel props are core load-bearing components composed of inner tube, outer tube, locking mechanism (thread or pin), top plate and base, which rely on the telescopic cooperation between the inner and outer tubes to adjust the height and adapt to different construction scenarios. During long-term use, telescopic steel props are exposed to complex construction environments, facing factors such as mechanical wear, environmental corrosion, construction vibration and load impact, which may lead to thread wear, tube body deformation, corrosion, locking mechanism failure and other problems, affecting their load-bearing capacity and safety. Therefore, maintaining telescopic steel props during use must adhere to the principles of "prevention first, regular inspection, timely treatment and full-cycle management", and combine daily maintenance and key maintenance to ensure that the props are always in good working condition.
Daily maintenance is the foundation of in-use maintenance of telescopic steel props, which needs to be carried out by construction personnel during daily construction operations, focusing on inspection, cleaning and simple maintenance to avoid the accumulation of small problems into major hidden dangers.
First, daily inspection is the key link of daily maintenance. Every day before using the telescopic steel props, construction personnel should conduct a visual inspection of each prop to check the overall condition: check whether the tube body (inner and outer tubes) has obvious deformation, bending, cracks or scratches; check whether the locking mechanism (thread, pin) is flexible and reliable, whether there is wear, deformation or looseness; check whether the top plate and base are intact, whether the connection with the tube body is firm; check whether the surface anti-corrosion layer (zinc layer, paint layer) is intact, whether there is rust or peeling. For props with obvious abnormalities, they should be stopped from use immediately and marked for subsequent treatment. During use, regular inspections should be carried out every 2-3 days to monitor the stress state of the props, such as whether there is abnormal displacement, deformation or abnormal sound during load bearing.
Second, daily cleaning is an important measure to prevent corrosion and wear. After daily use, especially in humid, dusty or concrete pouring scenarios, construction personnel should clean the surface of the telescopic steel props in a timely manner. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove dust, concrete slurry, soil and other debris on the tube body, thread and locking mechanism; for the thread part, use a wire brush to clean the dirt in the thread gap to avoid debris blocking affecting the telescopic and locking performance. For props used in rainy or humid environments, wipe the surface with a dry cloth after use to keep the surface dry and prevent corrosion. It should be noted that when cleaning, avoid using corrosive cleaning agents (such as strong acid, strong alkali), which will damage the anti-corrosion layer and the tube body.
Third, simple daily maintenance mainly includes lubrication and anti-corrosion touch-up. For the thread locking mechanism of telescopic steel props, it is necessary to apply lubricating oil (such as machine oil, lithium-based grease) every 1-2 weeks to reduce the friction between the threads, ensure flexible adjustment and prevent thread rust. When applying lubricating oil, first clean the thread, then evenly apply an appropriate amount of lubricating oil, and rotate the inner tube to make the lubricating oil fully cover the thread surface. For the surface anti-corrosion layer with slight damage (such as small-area rust, peeling), use a sandpaper to polish the damaged part, remove the rust, and then touch up with anti-corrosion paint or zinc spray to restore the anti-corrosion performance and avoid corrosion expansion.
In addition to daily maintenance, telescopic steel props also need to carry out key maintenance at key nodes during use, focusing on the core components and vulnerable parts to ensure their long-term stable operation.
The first key maintenance point is the locking mechanism, which is the core component to ensure the telescopic and load-bearing stability of the props. For thread-type locking mechanisms, regularly check the thread wear degree: if the thread is worn, deformed or has incomplete teeth, it will affect the locking reliability, and such props should be repaired or replaced in time. For pin-type locking mechanisms, check whether the pin is worn, bent or loose, whether the pin hole is deformed, and replace the damaged pin or repair the pin hole in time. In addition, after each adjustment of the telescopic length, check whether the locking mechanism is locked firmly, and re-tighten if there is any looseness to avoid accidents caused by unlocking during load bearing.
The second key maintenance point is the tube body (inner and outer tubes). Regularly check the straightness of the tube body: if the tube body is bent or deformed, it will lead to uneven stress during load bearing, reducing the load-bearing capacity and even causing structural failure. For slightly bent tube bodies, use professional correction equipment to correct them, and conduct load-bearing performance tests after correction to ensure they meet the requirements; for severely bent or cracked tube bodies, they should be scrapped immediately and cannot be used continuously. At the same time, check the wall thickness of the tube body regularly, especially for props used in heavy-load or corrosive environments, and if the wall thickness is reduced to less than the standard requirement (such as less than 2.5mm for ordinary props), they should be scrapped.
The third key maintenance point is the top plate and base. Check whether the top plate is flat, whether there is deformation or damage, and if the top plate is uneven or damaged, it will lead to uneven load transmission, causing local stress concentration. Check whether the base is firm, whether there is wear or deformation, and ensure that the base can be stably placed on the ground or cushion to avoid uneven settlement. For the connection between the top plate, base and tube body, check whether the welding or bolt connection is firm, and repair or re-weld if there is any welding cracking or bolt loosening.
When telescopic steel props have common faults during use, they should be handled in a timely manner to avoid fault expansion. Common faults and handling methods are as follows: first, the telescopic mechanism is stuck, which is usually caused by debris blocking the thread or rust. At this time, stop using it immediately, clean the thread or the gap between the inner and outer tubes, apply lubricating oil, and slowly rotate the inner tube to adjust; do not use violent force to avoid damaging the thread or tube body. Second, the locking mechanism is loose, which may be caused by thread wear, pin loosening or insufficient locking. For thread-type, re-tighten the thread or replace the worn thread part; for pin-type, re-insert the pin in place or replace the damaged pin. Third, local corrosion of the tube body, which should be polished and derusted in time, and anti-corrosion touch-up should be carried out to prevent corrosion from expanding to the entire tube body.
There are also important precautions for the maintenance of telescopic steel props during use. First, maintenance personnel must be familiar with the structure and performance of telescopic steel props, and carry out maintenance operations in accordance with relevant specifications to avoid improper maintenance causing damage to the props. Second, maintenance work should be carried out in a safe environment: when maintaining props in high-altitude or heavy-load scenarios, it is necessary to take safety protection measures (such as wearing safety belts, setting up safety nets), and ensure that the props are unloaded before maintenance to avoid safety accidents. Third, maintenance records should be kept in detail, including maintenance time, maintenance content, fault conditions, handling methods and the status of the props, to facilitate tracking and management of the props' service life and maintenance history. Fourth, telescopic steel props that have been used for a long time (such as more than 3 years) or have experienced heavy load, severe corrosion or deformation should be comprehensively inspected and tested, and scrapped if they do not meet the standard requirements to avoid safety hazards.
It should be emphasized that the in-use maintenance of telescopic steel props must comply with relevant national and industry standards, such as JGJ130-2011 《Technical Specification for Steel Pipe Scaffold and Formwork Support in Construction》 and GB/T 2518-2019 《Continuous Hot-Dip Zinc-Coated Steel Sheets and Strips》. These standards clearly specify the maintenance requirements and quality standards of steel props, providing a basis for standardized maintenance. In addition, the maintenance frequency should be appropriately increased according to the use environment: for props used in humid, coastal, chemical or other corrosive environments, the daily inspection and maintenance frequency should be increased to once a day, and the anti-corrosion maintenance should be carried out regularly.
In practical application, scientific and standardized in-use maintenance can effectively extend the service life of telescopic steel props, reduce the frequency of replacement, save engineering costs, and ensure the safety and stability of the construction process. For example, in a large-scale residential construction project, by carrying out daily inspection, cleaning, lubrication and key maintenance of telescopic steel props, the service life of the props is extended by 2-3 years, and no safety accidents caused by prop failure occur during the entire construction process. Therefore, attaching importance to the in-use maintenance of telescopic steel props is an important part of ensuring construction safety and economic benefits.
References
1. GB/T 7714 Format
China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd. Maintenance Guidelines for Telescopic Steel Props During Use[EB/OL]. [2026-04-17].
2. MLA Format
American Galvanizers Association. "In-Use Maintenance Methods for Telescopic Steel Supports." American Galvanizers Association, 2026. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
3. APA Format
Xinfa Yijian Engineering Co., Ltd. (2026). Maintenance Norms and Fault Handling of Telescopic Steel Props in Construction.
4. MLA Format
Brilliance Solution. "Daily Maintenance Tips for Telescopic Steel Props." Brilliance Solution, 2025. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
5. GB/T 7714 Format
Zhengzhou Wanjia Equipment Co., Ltd. Maintenance Technology of Pneumatic Telescopic Masts and Telescopic Steel Props[EB/OL]. [2026-04-17].
6. MLA Format
Douyin Encyclopedia. "Steel Prop (Adjustable Steel Pipe Prop Installation Instrument)." Douyin Encyclopedia, 2026. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
7. APA Format
China Standard Press. (2026). Rules for Bibliographic References (GB/T 7714-2015) and Its Application in Maintenance of Telescopic Steel Props.