Film Maintenance Guide

GUIDELINES FOR TAKING CARE OF POLYETHYLENE FILMS AND PREPARING THE STRUCTURE A. Preparing the structure before covering. 1. 2. 3.

Strengthen the structure ,tighten loose bolts etc. Smooth all parts that come in contact with the covering films. Wrap white or clear polyethylene strips ,containing UVA, around corners and other protruding parts. 4. Paint all contact points with a suitable water based white paint from inside before fixing the plastic.( ASIAN PAINT TRACTOR BRAND ACRYLIC WASHABLE DISTAMPER, BRILLIANT WHITE to be applied). 5. Clean out gutter and drainage pipes. 6. Do not treat lattices and wooden parts with creosote or other petroleum based materials. B. Polyethylene covers. 7. Store the plastic rolls ,before use on a flat surface (not standing on end) and in the shade. 8. Covering films must not be used for fumigating the soil before covering the greenhouse. 9. DO not unwind the rolls unless they are to be installed immediately after opening. Open rolls of thermic plastic tend to melt if exposed to sun. 10. Structures should be covered when there is no wind, preferably during the cools hours of the day or at night. 11. When placing the film make sure that the right side is facing inside. 12. Spreading and strengthening the film should be uniform along its entire length. 13. Tightening should be done at around 10 A.M in the morning. 14. Install side walls and curtains prior to installing the roof. In order to prevent sudden gusts of wind damaging the roof covers. Films should be installed during early morning(cold, without wind) pulled evenly down the length. Re stretching is done after the film gets warmer. Do not stretch film on hot days as it will contract when cool and may weaken. C. After Covering : 15.

Paint white stripes from outside the plastic to cover all places where the film comes in contact with the structure ,i.e, along arches, ribs, lattices, gutters etc. ASIAN PAINT TRACTOR BRAND ACRYLIC WASHABLE DISTAMPER, BRILLIANT WHITE to be applied by ROLLER brush 6 INCH. Apply the paint ten Centimeters on either side of the contact point.

A. On Going maintenance 16.

Every month ,especially after winds and storms, or between seasons, check the films and tighten them if necessary. Repair any holes or mechanical damages immediately with Special repair polyethylene UV Stabilized tape manufactured by Ginegar Plastic Products . Before repairing clean the damaged area nicely with water both from inside and outside let it dry before applying the tape. If possible apply the tape both from inside and outside the damaged film.

B. Use of Herbicides and pesticides

17. 18.

Herbicides, pesticides and fungicides that contain sulphur or halogens cause accelerated weathering of the polyethylene. When applying these chemicals try not to spray directly onto the films. Sublimating Pots with sulphur or other insecticides accentuate this problem. ( Not a problem with anti Sulphur film like UVA 205 N)

C. General remarks

19. When whitening films to reduce heat stress, use only recommended whitening agent. An incorrectly spread shade screen over the roof reduces the life span of the film. ALL THE ABOVE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO BE USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE GROWER AND AT HIS OWN RISK