Mechanical and Electric Seamers

Mechanical seamers close the seams of mechanically seamed standing seam metal roofs. After the panels are installed with their vertical legs overlapping, the seamer is placed on the seam and travels along it, using a series of rollers to fold the legs together. Electric (power) seamers are driven by a motor; manual mechanical seamers are pushed or cranked by hand. Both produce a more consistent and faster seam than hand seaming over long panel runs.

Single and double lock

• A single-lock (90-degree) seam folds the panel legs over once.
• A double-lock (180-degree) seam folds them a second time, locking the legs together more tightly and giving greater resistance to water and wind uplift.

Some seamers form both stages in one pass, others in two passes, and some double-lock systems use separate first-stage and finishing seamers. Hand seamers designed for each stage are used at the ends of panels, at details, and where the machine cannot start or finish.

Matching to the profile

Seamers are almost always profile-specific. Each panel manufacturer's seam has its own height, leg geometry and clip design, so the seamer must be the model specified for that panel. Using the wrong machine can form a poor seam, damage the coating or fail to engage the clips. Panel suppliers often rent or lend compatible seamers.

Use

• Hand-crimp the start of the seam so the machine can engage.
• Set the seamer on the seam and let it run upslope or downslope as recommended, keeping power cords managed and clear of the operator.
• Inspect the finished seam for full engagement along the length and at clips.
• Finish ends and details with hand tools.

Safety and care

Seamers are heavy and can pull themselves along the roof, so operators are tied off with fall protection, and the machine may be tethered on steep slopes. Rollers should be kept clean and adjusted to avoid scratching painted metal. Electric models need appropriate power supply and cord protection, often from a generator on site.