Why Do Roof Drainage Problems Keep Showing Up on Commercial Warehouses and Barns?

 

The assumption that a gutter is a gutter is incorrect, as a pre-engineered steel building has an expansive roof, slick panels, and water flowing off of it extremely quickly. A single heavy storm can contain thousands of gallons in a matter of only minutes flowing off of an expansive roof area that would clog the foundation or the floor, whichever it is closest to, and neither is cheap to repair.

Metal building eave gutters have to be sized for the roof area and the rainfall of a geographical region, and not just loosely attached because it looked empty. Eave gutters hang off of the edge of the roof plane, while some buildings have valley or internal configurations that exist between roof segments and each have their own peculiar failure modes. Understanding what type of metal building gutters system you have is the first step to getting any help in this

How Do Metal Building Gutters Actually Work?

On the surface, they are very simple systems. Rain falls on panels, slides down the slope towards the edge and falls into a trough, which deposits it via downspouts to the side of the building. The issues arise in the details. The slope on the panels is important, approximately a quarter inch per every ten feet give or take, depending on the manufacturer. Too shallow of a slope causes water to stagnate and algae and rust the panel seams, while too sharp of a slope causes overhang at the corners. The end caps, sealant, fasteners, and expansion joints all wear down over time. The building steel, as a whole, expands and contracts on a daily basis, loosening the fasteners and causing leaks at the joints, usually over time.

What Are the Signs Your Gutters Are Failing?

Water stains are usually the first sign on the ground, running parallel to the wall line, with streaks on the siding down towards the ground. On the exterior of the trough, rust blooming along the bottom or pin holes of light are a sign. Inside the building, drips on a Monday morning that didn't exist or were not visible on a Friday, damp insulation, or a smoky smell in the eave that someone keeps telling themselves is coming from somewhere else. Sagging runs are another sign. The run dips down in the middle, the hangers have failed, or ice pulled down one winter. Overflow, even on average rainfall, means clogged outlets or undersized systems from the beginning. These signs should all be taken seriously.

Why Do Internal Gutters Leak So Often?

Internal gutters are the ones tucked inside the building envelope and exist either between two roof panels or behind a parapet wall. They are attractive on the street, but when they leak, the water doesn't drip on the outside, it drips on the inside. Common problems are failed seams, trapped debris, and corroded liner materials. Leaves and dust clog internal gutters and hold excessive amounts of moisture and eat away at the coating. Thermal movement cracks the sealant and causes a slow leak that can run for months, only to be discovered by a stain on the ceiling, but by that point, the damage above is several times more than the damage below.

When Does Internal Gutter Repair Make Sense?

Not all leaks require a complete system replacement, and some failures are small enough to be patched. Internal gutter repair can be useful whenever the metal of the system is sound and the failure is localized. The system should be cleaned out thoroughly first, the source of the leak located (water tracks along its path, so the drip may not be directly above the crack) and sealed with an appropriate sealant for the material.

However, you should be practical about it as well. If the liner rusts in several spots, or the slope is improper and water pools, a repair is just wasting money, as the system will likely last only another season to a year. If a repair is suggested and you are quoted hundreds for it, get a second opinion, but don't take too long.

Can You Fix This Yourself or Should You Call a Pro?

Small jobs are simple enough. Clearing debris, tightening hangers, replacing a downspout strap, and resealing an end cap with a good sealant are all simple jobs on a ladder, if you know what you are doing.

Any jobs related to the edge of the roof, internal gutters, and structural movement should be left to the pros. Internal systems in particular require an understanding of how the flashing is integrated into the panel, and an ill-informed person could fix one leak and cause two others twenty feet above where they fixed one. Specialized crews have the right tools for welding or lining seams, and they will know about your manufacturer's warranty policy on modifications, which is something people forget about.

How Can You Keep Your Gutter System From Failing Again?

Maintenance. Twice a year, at minimum, and more often if you have trees or are adjacent to a dusty industrial complex, you need to clear out the troughs, flush the downspouts, check the seams, and look at the sealant for cracking. An hour or two for most buildings, it saves thousands in repairs.

Gutter guards are helpful where they are needed. Keeping trees trimmed back is a good investment as well. Making sure that the downspouts terminate far from the foundation, preferably with extensions or underground drains, is a good idea. After any large storm, a walk around the building looking up is good to spot these small leaks before they become large ones.

Conclusion: Don't Wait for the Drip

Water issues on steel buildings rarely fix themselves. They get worse over time, and quietly, growing into massive leaks one day. Whether it is an eave gutter run starting to pull away or internal gutter repair is needed on a leaking valley, the smart move is to catch it and fix it. If you are not sure where to begin or how to do it, the team at Metal guard can look at the system and tell you what needs patching and what should be replaced. It is better to know before the next storm has inspected your building for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should metal building gutters be cleaned?

At least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. More often if you have trees or a dusty area next to your building. Clogged troughs are the number one cause of early failure on these systems.

What causes gutters on a steel building to leak?

Primarily failed sealant on the seams, loosened fasteners from thermal movement, standing water from improper slope, and rust. Debris causes all of these problems to occur more frequently.

How long do these gutters usually last?

Depends on the material. With proper care, a galvanized or coated system can easily survive twenty to thirty years. Neglect shortens the lifespan considerably.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a leaking internal gutter?

Any repair on a localized failure is cheaper than a total system replacement, but if the liner fails in multiple places, replacement costs much less than repeatedly repairing the same issue.

Can leaking internal gutters damage the building structure?

Yes. Corrosion from prolonged exposure to leaked water can weaken purlins, soaked insulation, and rot any wood-framed sections. It can also promote indoor mold growth, so don't ignore it.