Consumer Zone > Maintenance

For personal safety it is recommended to wear clean dry gloves while handling the sheets. The Sliding of sheets over rough surfaces, or over each other tends to scratch and uproot Zinc from the sheet surface which may cut the handler.

Storage :

Due to capillary action, moisture easily enters between the surfaces of stacked sheets. In areas of high humidity, wind takes them between the sheets. The trapped moisture between the sheets cannot evaporate easily leading to deterioration of the surface coating, a phenomenon known as White Rusting. This leads to reduced life of sheets and poor appearance. In areas of high humidity levels, it is advisable to have exhaust fans to reduce humidity level inside the sheet storage point. If the sheets are not required for immediate use, it should be stacked neatly and clear of the ground at covered space. It is advisable to protect them with waterproof covers.
If stacked sheets become wet, separate it without delay, wipe it with a clean cloth or saw dust and stack it under sun till it dries thoroughly.

Marking, cutting and drilling during installation :

Avoid usage of black pencils, i.e. lead pencils; to mark a galvanized surface as the graphite content can create an electric cell when wet and this may cause deterioration of the finish of surface. One can use colored pencils or a fine felt-tipped marker.

For cutting thin metal sheets :

It is recommended to use a hand or electric saw with a metal-cutting blade since it produces lesser damaging metal particles and burr on the sheets.

Holes on the sheets :

Holes should be made by drilling. Use of punch in making holes should be avoided as it may not produce a clean cut hole and may even damage the profile of the sheet.

Maintenance :

Besides roof design and the environment, maintenance also plays an important role on the life of a roof or wall.
Maintenance includes the following:
Preferably, washing should be done at least every six months and more frequently in coastal areas where moisture in atmosphere contains high level of salt. Washing of roof is also recommended in areas of high industrialization, which have higher content of oxides of sulphur, nitrogen and chloride salts along with humidity in the air.
Regular inspection of roofs and walls for problems before they become major corrosion sites.
Removal of foreign particles such as leaves and debris from gutters and flashings.
Keep Wall Claddings free of soil, concrete and debris near the ground.

Contact with incompatible material :

To enhance life of galvanized steel sheets, it is important to note its compatibility with other commonly used material in construction. Contact with some non-compatible material and even water or moisture flowing from such material can adversely affect the life of the sheets.
GENTABLE- 1: LIST OF NON-COMPATIBLE MATERIALS

Incompatible Materials

Limestone (commonly used in coloring cement walls)
Pesticides
Wet and dry concrete
Soils
Lead
Copper
Uncoated steel
Carbon (in pencils and some rubbers)
Chemically treated wood or plywood
Materials having excessive moisture content
(Non-seasoned timber, bitumen sheets and washers)

Note : The list mentioned above is not exhaustive. In case of doubts on compatibility of other products being used with roofing sheets but not mentioned above, kindly seek advice from the manufacturer of Galvanized roofing sheets.