Support Centre

Handling

• Upon receiving material, please check your Receiving Report against the Bill of Lading for shortages and damage. Please notify Westman Steel of any discrepancies as soon as possible. Westman Steel will not be responsible for shortages or damage unless they are noted on the Bills of Lading.
• Handle all bundle/lift/skid/crate’s and individual panels with care to avoid damage.
• Each bundle/lift/skid/crate is to be lifted at its centre of gravity, with your forks evenly spread as much as possible.
• If possible, each bundle/lift/skid/crate should not be opened, or un-banded, until it is staged in a convenient location adjacent to the portion of building it is being applied to. If it is to be moved, each bundle/lift/skid/crate should be re-banded prior to doing so.
• When lifting a bundle/lift/skid/crate with a crane, a spreader bar is recommended if available. Use nylon straps, and never use wire rope, or chain, as they will damage the panels.
• When moving each bundle/lift/skid/crate, please drive slowly in rough terrain to prevent the panel buckling.
• Each sheet should be lifted from its bundle/lift/skid/crate. Never drag a panel as this will cause damage to the next sheet.
• During installation, panels should be carried on edge to prevent buckling.
• If sheets are longer than 10′, each panel should be carried by 2 people, again on edge to prevent buckling. Add an extra person for each 10′ increment.
• Panels should never be lifted, or picked up, by the ends.
• Do not drag sheets on the ground or over each other.
• Westman Steel is not responsible for damage incurred because of improper handling.

Storage

Upon receipt of your roofing panels, store them in a well ventilated, dry location.

Rain or condensation can be drawn between the stacked sheets where it can cause premature failure of the protective coating, cause water stains, or white rust. Trapped moisture, between pre painted metal, can also cause white rust to form underneath the paint finish, causing paint blisters, or paint to flake off immediately or over time.

Do not store panels in direct contact with the ground. Ensure the panels are adequately supported and elevated off the ground, preferably with a slope to allow water to drain.

Cover panels with a waterproof cover spaced off the panels to allow air movement. Never cover panels in plastic, as this will encourage condensation to form.

Prolonged storage of panels in a lift is not recommend. If longer than 4 weeks, after receipt of your order, the lift should be opened and the panels inspected.

Store panels inside if possible

Maintenance

Given the best conditions, steel will provide you with many years of ”peace of mind” protection as one of the longest lasting cladding materials available.

Here are a few tips for keeping your steel performing the way it’s supposed to – for years to come!

1. Visually inspect your roof on a yearly basis. Things move with prolonged exposure to the elements! Check to make sure there are no holes or gaps, and that all screws are correctly installed.
2. Our Paint finish, although durable, should be cleaned thoroughly, and on a yearly basis, if it is not already exposed to washing by rain. Use warm water, a little dish soap, and a soft bristled brush.
3. Remove any branches, leaves, or debris that may fall on your roof. This will allow moisture to properly drain away when necessary.
4. Remove, or trim back any trees and bushes etc, that will potentially be in continual contact with your steel cladding. Over time, with movement through wind and growth, these can potentially cause abrasion damage to your Paint finish.
5. Some trees will emit a sap that can build up on your cladding. This will need to be cleaned periodically with warm water, dish soap, and a soft bristled brush. Otherwise, left alone, this will build up and give the appearance of discolouration.
6. While most steel roofs are ”walkable”, it is best to minimize foot traffic as much as possible. If you do need to get on the roof, don’t stand on the ribs, and make sure to walk where the strapping is located to avoid damage.
7. Clean your gutters! Give your roof a chance to dry out. Continual contact with wet material is detrimental to your steel roof, and can lead to premature rusting and/or edge creep.
8. Remember to keep different metals separate. For example, keep copper pipes from touching steel roof systems. When different types of metal come into contact with each other and eventually become wet, they will break down in a process called electrolytic corrosion

Tools Required

Tools and equipment, required, will vary by job, and by profile.

Depending on application, you may, or may not, require some or all of the following:

1. Metal shears, nibblers, power shears or circular saw with metal-cutting cutting blade. Note: Saw cut edges can be jagged, unsightly and tend to rust sooner than sheared edges. Hot metal filings are produced when saw cutting, which may embed in and damage the paint coating. Also, saw cutting burns the paint and galvanizing treatment, leading to the onset of edge rust.
2. Metal snips (left edge, right edge and centerline cutting snips).
3. Hem bending tool
4. Gloves and protective clothing
5. Safety goggles and ear plugs (Eye and ear protection)
6. Tape measure and chalk line
7. Rubber mallet
8. Screw gun or drill (adjustable clutch recommended)
9. 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8” sockets – must be lobular and replaced after 10,000 to 15,000 fasteners
10. Drill bits, screw bits
11. Pop rivet gun
12. Caulking gun
13. Pencils and markers
14. Utility knife
15. Locking sheet metal pliers
16. Hammer staplers