If you are building a new home or renovating your old structure, you should choose steel sheets as your roofing materials. Steel sheets are durable and can withstand adverse conditions. Often, these products have a prolonged warranty, minimising the long-term repair costs. Also, steel roofs are suitable for the local climate which can be harsh on construction materials. Besides, the appeal is indisputable because the sheets are coloured. Unfortunately, the performance and longevity of steel roofs can be compromised by poor handling and storage of the sheets on the construction site before installation. If you are uncertain about the proper management of steel roofing materials, use these basic guidelines to achieve the best outcome.

Unload with Care

Poor unloading practices during the delivery of the steel roofing sheets can cause problems like scratches surfaces, dents and general warping. Therefore, you should establish a strategy for careful unloading. Avoid using the delivery truck or trailer to tip over the materials. The impact will cause warping. Instead, you should have the materials lifted from the truck and placed in a safe space. Do not drag the sheets along the ground because the protective coating will sustain scratches.

Inspect the Sheets

You should think about inspecting the steel roofing sheets during the unloading process and before storage. This precaution can minimise your losses. The goal of an inspection is to confirm that the delivered materials are the purchased ones. When checking, look at the details from your initial order to avoid accepting incorrect products. You should also check the appearance of the sheets. If there was damage to the sheets before delivery, you can return them on time.

Ensure Support

Steel sheets are relatively lightweight products. If they do not have proper support during storage, they could get deformed. Therefore, you should consider the best approach to preventing damage. In general, the roofing materials should be placed horizontally. Vertical placement will cause stress to the lower parts of the sheets. When moving long sheets, make sure that both sides are well supported. Additionally, do not place anything on top of the materials.

Prevent Exposure

Finally, you should prevent the exposure of your steel roof sheets to unfavourable conditions. Moisture is the primary concern because the soaking of the metal could increase vulnerability to corrosion. Therefore, place the sheets indoors where possible. Also, you should avoid placing the sheets directly on the ground. Contact with soil, concrete, dirt and residue chemicals will damage the roofing. Use suitable supports to elevate the sheets.