Commercial drainage, done to capacity
A large roof sends thousands of gallons of water toward the eaves in a heavy storm. Commercial buildings such as retail centers, offices, churches, shops and warehouses need gutters and downspouts that are sized for that flow and secured to carry the load. Undersized gutters cause overflow at the entrance, water in parking areas and damage to walls and foundations.
What we do
- New commercial gutter installation. Seamless aluminum and steel gutters in larger sizes, with properly sized downspouts.
- Replacement. Removing old, failed systems and installing a properly designed replacement.
- Repair. Fixing leaks, sagging runs, storm damage and blocked downspouts.
- Gutter guards. Useful on buildings near trees or with hard-to-reach eaves. See gutter guards.
- Drainage planning. Directing downspout discharge away from walkways, entrances and foundations.
Why commercial gutters need extra attention
- Volume. More roof area means more water at every point.
- Liability. Overflowing water can create slip hazards at entrances and walkways.
- Access. Taller buildings require equipment and safety planning.
- Building protection. Water against walls, footings and parking surfaces shortens their lives.
Roof and gutters together
If the roof is being repaired or replaced, that is the right time to look at drainage. We handle both, which means one contractor accountable for how water leaves the building. See commercial roofing.
Sizing for large roofs
Commercial roofs often shed water from thousands of square feet. Gutter and downspout sizing should be based on roof area and rainfall intensity, not on residential defaults. Larger gutters, oversized downspouts and closer downspout spacing move water fast enough to prevent overflow at entrances and along walls.
Where commercial gutters matter most
- Storefronts and entrances, where overflow creates slip hazards
- Churches and schools with large roof areas and heavy foot traffic
- Warehouses and shops with long eave runs
- Multi-tenant buildings where drainage affects several units
Common problems we see, and how we fix them
Overflow at entrances and walkways
Undersized gutters dump water where people walk, creating slip and liability hazards.
Undersized downspouts
A big roof with too few or too small downspouts overflows in heavy rain.
Sagging long runs
Long gutters need close hanger spacing and strong fascia. Weak support leads to sagging.
Clogs from surrounding trees
Parking-lot and roadside trees load gutters with leaves and debris.
Water against foundations and walls
Poor discharge causes erosion, staining and moisture damage.
Storm damage and dents
Wind, limbs and equipment damage exposed runs.
Leaking joints on older sectional systems
Long-used sectional gutters leak at many joints.