Roofing sheet complaints: how to document damage and trace its cause

Check the pack markings, profile, steel thickness, coating, colour and sheet lengths against the order. Count the sheets and inspect the packaging. Crushed corners, scuff marks or displaced sheets may indicate movement in transit. Photograph the pack before unloading and again when the accessible faces are exposed. Keep its identifying label.

Lift sheets clear to inspect the underside. Sliding them across one another can introduce fresh scratches. Record a discrepancy on the delivery document and notify the supplier, identifying the pack and date for each photograph. Describe what you found and leave the question of responsibility open until the evidence has been examined.

Water trapped between tightly packed sheets can damage the finish if it cannot dry. Wrapping can retain that moisture. Follow the product instructions for storage location, stacking and maximum storage time. If the pack gets wet, use the procedure specified for that coating.

Provide level supports so long sheets do not sag over uneven ground. Note the removal deadline for protective film, which can become difficult to peel after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Photos of the storage area can help establish whether damage was already present before installation.

Unloading, drilling, cutting and walking on the roof can damage the coating. Hot swarf from unsuitable cutting tools can burn into the finish. Metal chips left on the surface can rust and leave brown spots even when the steel beneath is sound. Inspect the mark and surrounding coating to distinguish the two.

Choose cleaning and repair methods suitable for the finish. Sanding a large area or using a harsh cleaner can increase the damage and erase evidence. Photograph the surface, retain the product identification or a sample, and agree the next step with the party assessing the complaint.

Water may enter at a flashing, overlap or fastener. Condensation can also form underneath the sheets. Record where dampness first appears and under what conditions. Rain driven from one direction suggests a different inspection route from dripping on a dry, cold morning. Water may travel before it becomes visible indoors.

Compare the actual pitch, supports and installation with the drawings. A poorly seated sealing washer or incorrectly formed lap can leak even on a sound sheet. Include the possibility of a product defect in the inspection and check the competing explanations against the findings.

Give the order number, delivery date, product designation and location on the building. Describe the symptom, extent and date of discovery. Send an overview and close-ups referenced to a roof sketch. If only a few sheets are affected, mark their positions individually.

Keep installation details, fastener specifications and records of earlier repairs. Arrange inspection before making extensive alterations. If urgent action is needed to prevent injury or limit damage, document that work as well. Product warranty terms and responsibility for workmanship may differ, so identify the issue and the party handling it.

Start with an itemised order and inspect the delivery before laying the sheets. Agree who unloads and stores the material and how the finish will be protected. Give the installer the instructions for the exact profile and agree the scope of the handover inspection in advance.

At handover, inspect the surface and remove metal chips, film remnants and construction dirt using the specified method. Keep the paperwork and schedule checks of drainage and joints. These records give future inspectors a dated starting point if the condition changes.