The fallout from chimneys and wood fired burners can be unsightly and, if neglected, can damage the surface on which it falls. For information, please refer to Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB-14 - Exhaust from wood and oil fire burners.

Generally, hail indentations do not typically affect the lifespan of a roof made from COLORBOND® steel. However, potential issues can arise on low-pitched roofs where significant indentations lead to water ponding and dirt accumulation, which may promote corrosion. Similarly, if roof sheet overlaps are deformed enough to lose their anti-capillary effect, water can be drawn into the lap and cause damage. While the impact may cause some loss of the paint topcoat, this is primarily an aesthetic issue and generally does not impact the corrosion performance of the steel. For more information, please refer to Technical Bulletin TB-32 - Impact of hail damage to exterior BlueScope coated steel products.

Neutral cure sealants that conform with the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) Technical Specification TS-001 (non-extended, with a minimum of 90% silicone polymer content) are the most suitable. Any other generic type of sealant considered should possess similar properties to neutral cure sealants that conform with ASI TS001 if long term performance is required. It is most important that only quality neutral cure sealants be used with steel products. Other very common sealants, while being suitable for other materials, liberate by-products during curing which can be corrosive towards the protective coatings applied to steel. These often smell of either vinegar or ammonia. If in doubt, contact Steel Direct. For more information, please refer to Technical Bulletin TB-09 - Sealants for exterior BlueScope coated steel products.

COLORBOND® steel requires minimal maintenance – the wash of natural rain water will help keep it looking good for many years. Areas not regularly washed by rain water, such as wall cladding under eaves, garage doors and the underside of eave gutters, should be hosed down at least every six months and more frequently in coastal areas. In cases where regular hosing does not remove all the dirt we recommend washing COLORBOND® steel with a mild solution of pure soap or non-abrasive dishwashing detergent in warm water. Washing should be done with a sponge, soft cloth or soft bristel nylon brush (no abrasive scourers, steel wool etc) and be performed gently to avoid scuffing. Thoroughly rinse the surface with fresh water immediately after to remove traces of detergent. For more information please refer to Technical Bulletin TB-04- Maintenance of exterior BlueScope coated steel products.

COLORBOND® steel has stringent appearance specifications but to be confident of consistent aesthetic in a roof or wall with a large single plane (i.e. very large roofs and walls) it is best that your builder or roofing installer sources material from a single supplier, and that your supplier has manufactured all roofing and walling material for your project from a single BlueScope paint production run. Your builder or roofing installer should check with the rollforming supplier who can arrange this through the BlueScope Sales Office. For more information, please refer to Technical Bulletin, TB-19 - COLORBOND steel – visual considerations in large single planes.

Good building design requires some planning in the selection and use of materials. All building materials reflect sunlight and can benefit occupants and the environment by reflecting the sun's heat away from the building, however under certain conditions, this may cause annoyance to immediate neighbours. For more information, please refer to Technical Bulletin, TB-28 - Building materials and reflectivity.

Fungus/mould or lichen can sometimes grow on a variety of building materials, including COLORBOND® steel, in tropical and temperate areas of Australia. Fungal growth occurs where the prevailing ‘local environment’ or an isolated ‘microenvironment’ are conducive. This fungal growth can be removed with the appropriate cleaning agents. For more information, please refer to Technical Bulletin TB-27 - Identification of fungus in the field and recommendations for its removal.

Swarf is the term given to steel debris that is created during cutting or drilling operations when your roof is being installed. Swarf particles can corrode rapidly and cause unsightly stains that will detract from the appearance of the roof. Prevention of swarf staining is the responsibility of the installer and following trades. Care should always be taken to properly clean up any swarf created during the installation process by blowing, vacuuming, sweeping or rinsing the roof to remove loose particles. For more information, please refer to Technical Bulletin TB-05 - Swarf Staining.

Roofing made from COLORBOND® steel comes in a wide variety of profiles, and it is the profile of your roofing material that determines the minimum pitch that it can be placed at. For example, a corrugated profile typically has a minimum pitch of 5 degrees however some profiles can have a minimum pitch as low as 1 degree. We recommend speaking to your builder, designer or roofing supplier to determine the appropriate pitch for your desired roofing profile.

As a simple guide, if your project is greater than 800m from breaking surf, COLORBOND® steel is recommended for your wall cladding, between 500-800m from breaking surf, COLORBOND® Ultra steel is the recommended material for your wall cladding. For other distances and other marine conditions, please refer to Technical Bulletin TB-01B - Steel walling products – selection guide.

1. Absolute performance is subject to local conditions including, but not limited to, prevailing winds, and presence of unwashed areas.
2. Distance is as measured from the high water/tide mark
3. Applies to salt marine influences only. For installations subject to severe or heavy industrial conditions or internal humidity, it is essential to contact Steel Direct for advice on suitable products.
4. Definitions and examples of surf, exposed and calm marine are outlined in Technical Bulletin TB-35 - Australian Salt Marine Classifications.