In January, it doesn’t take any stretch of the imagination to picture the dangers of the harshest winter elements. Rarely rolling through town quietly, winter storms in Madison County bring heavy snow followed by sleet, whipping winds, and dipping temperatures that blanket the landscape. With snow-covered sidewalks and icy parking lots, it’s easy to forget about the stress winter puts on rooftops that quietly bear the weight of winter’s harshest elements. For business owners and property managers focused on keeping their building accessible and safe for employees and customers, it’s critical not to forget about the gutters.
Like residential gutter systems, commercial gutters protect buildings from water damage. Still, in commercial buildings, the volume of water and snowmelt is significantly greater than in residential buildings. Commercial gutters in Ohio are put to the ultimate test every winter, safeguarding against structural damage, leaks, and hazardous conditions for building occupants. Failing to protect commercial gutters and prevent water damage to a commercial property not only leads to expensive repairs but can also cause operational downtime and lost revenue. Below, we’ll explain how commercial gutters differ from residential ones, the winter challenges they face, and the risks winter poses to businesses. We’ll also provide proven strategies to keep commercial gutters performing all winter long, even through the most brutal storms.
How Commercial Gutters Differ From Residential Systems
Serving the same purpose, commercial and residential gutters direct rain and snowmelt off of roofs and away from buildings and landscapes. However, commercial gutters are different from residential gutters in both design and demand. Residential gutters are most often 4 to 6 inches wide and are designed to handle less water. Because commercial buildings typically have much larger roofs, they collect and move more water and snowmelt than an average home. Residential gutters are also often made from more affordable materials, such as vinyl or basic aluminum.
On the other hand, commercial gutter systems need to be built for durability and high volumes of water, supporting expansive flat or low-sloped roofs on warehouses, retail spaces, industrial facilities, and offices. Much larger than residential gutters, commercial gutters are typically 6 to 8 inches wide and have greater downspout capacity. Not uncommon for them to be made from more robust materials, such as steel, aluminum, and copper, because they resist corrosion and withstand extreme weather. Commonly found commercial gutter types include:
Box Gutters: Box gutters are rectangular, high-capacity gutters built into the roof itself. These gutters are standard on flat or low-sloped roofs as well as on large commercial roofs. Box gutters are most commonly used in factories or shopping centers and are made from aluminum or steel for strength. Because of how they are built, box gutters can be harder to inspect than other types and are more susceptible to ice buildup in winter.
K-Style Gutters: These gutters are built like residential gutters but on a larger scale. In commercial buildings, K-style gutters are often seamless to minimize leaks and provide customized protection. This style can be tailored to 6- or 8-inch widths and is most suitable for office buildings and strip malls.
Internal Drainage Systems: Although not a “gutter type,” internal drainage systems are used in some commercial buildings instead of external downspouts. Internal drainage systems can present challenges in freezing temperatures.
Because of their size and complexity, commercial gutters can be less forgiving when problems occur, particularly in the winter. Let’s take a moment and look at the most common winter problems facing commercial gutter systems.
Common Winter Problems Commercial Gutters Face
During the coldest season of the year, marked by snow, ice, and the occasional thaw, commercial gutters face unique threats. Here are some of the most common issues commercial gutters face:
Ice: When snow melts off the roof and refreezes in gutters, it creates ice blockages that eventually lead to water backing up on the roof and absorbing into roofing materials. One of the most common problems a commercial gutter company in London will encounter is ice dams. If ignored or unnoticed, they can be big trouble for businesses.
Excessive Weight: Snow might look light and fluffy, but it’s heavy! Ice and packed snow in the gutters can weigh them down. When left alone, the excess weight from snow and ice can cause sagging, bending, or detachment, leading to complete failure.
Frozen Downspouts (or Drainage): When downspouts freeze, water and snow melt have nowhere to go. If combined with fall debris, snow quickly freezes in the drainage system and blocks flow.
Water Backup: When water cannot flow properly through a commercial gutter system, it is forced to spill over the edges and pool on flat roofs and at the base of the building’s foundation. Water on the roof not only damages the roofing material, but it can also seep inside, damaging insulation and interior walls.
Water Expansion: When water freezes, it expands. When this happens in gutters, it puts stress on the materials, leading to ruptures and corrosion.
These problems begin slowly, building through the winter with every passing storm and warm, sunny afternoon, making prevention essential. In commercial settings, these problems are exacerbated by larger roof areas, making even minor clogs a major headache.
The Risks Winter Gutter Problems Pose to Businesses
When commercial gutters fail in winter, the risks go far beyond mere inconvenience. Facing serious safety, financial, and operational consequences, the stakes for commercial properties couldn’t be higher. Neglecting gutters during the winter can result in:
Roof and Structural Damage: Standing water on the roof and ice buildup increase the risk of roof membrane failure, roof rot, leaks, and long-term structural deterioration. Inside the building, issues like mold or warped ceilings can cost thousands to repair, not to mention the disruption to business.
Foundational Issues: When water can’t drain properly and pools near the foundation, it can cause cracks or erosion when the ground thaws.
Safety and Liability Hazards: Icicles that form on gutters and eaves can fall, injuring people below, and water that spills over gutters can freeze, creating slipping hazards on walkways. Any risk to employees and customers can lead to lawsuits or insurance claims, increasing liability.
Health Issues: Clogged gutters attract pests, such as rodents and insects. Pests can pose health risks to occupants and create health code violations in commercial facilities. Water intrusion also leads to mold and mildew growth, posing health risks to occupants.
Downtime: Emergency repairs due to ice dams, foundation issues, interior damage, or any other water-related damage interrupt operations, forcing closures and lost revenue.
These risks escalate quickly during winter, turning a single storm into a business disaster. For commercial properties, proactive gutter care in the winter is more than maintenance; it’s risk management.
How to Protect Commercial Gutters in Harsh Winter Conditions
Commercial gutters play a critical role in protecting the property and keeping the business running. For commercial gutters in Ohio, prevention from winter woes should begin long before the first snow flies. During winter, prevention shifts from preparation to active monitoring and intervention when needed. And while some problems require action from a commercial gutter company due to safety risks, others can be managed in-house with the right tools and precautions. Below are effective strategies that commercial property owners and managers can implement during the winter season:
Routine Maintenance: All gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, with the pre-winter clean being the most critical. Leaves, twigs, dirt, and other organic debris can become trapped in gutters, creating blockages that lead to ice formation, ice dams, and overflow.
Inspections: Routine inspections can help monitor the condition of the gutters, providing property owners and managers the opportunity to act early when a problem is noted. Make sure to check the gutters, downspouts, and roof edges after every winter storm. Create a schedule to keep monitoring a routine task, such as once a week and after every winter storm.
Rake Snow: Heavy winter snow adds another layer of danger to the roof and gutters and sets the stage for ice dams. For commercial buildings that have flat or low-sloped roofs, it’s safest to remove snow proactively when it exceeds 6 inches. Roof rakes are available with long handles that allow snow to be removed from the ground. Avoid standing directly on the roof or using metal tools that could damage roof membranes.
Manage Ice Buildup: Removing small amounts of ice before it accumulates to dangerous levels prevents major problems from developing. Use de-icers to create melt channels in the gutters. Avoid rock salt, which can corrode metal gutters and stain surfaces. For pre-winter preparation, heated gutter cables are efficient and especially helpful with box or K-style commercial systems.
Monitor Downspouts: During winter thaws, ensure that snowmelt flows freely through downspouts and discharges water at least 10 feet away from foundations to prevent pooling.
Gutter Guard Installation: While gutter guards are not an end to all gutter blockages, they dramatically reduce clogs by preventing debris from entering the gutter system and maintaining water flow during winter months.
Schedule Professional Inspections/Evaluations: Working with a professional commercial gutter company in London, familiar with the climate and winter challenges, helps to identify vulnerable areas and provides solutions tailored to the building’s design.
Staying Ahead of Winter’s Worst
In the face of Ohio’s harsh winters, protecting your business by caring for commercial gutters is not optional. Commercial gutters play a leading role in protecting buildings, employees, customers, and businesses during the most challenging season of the year. Knowing your system’s unique needs, addressing common problems head-on, and implementing preventative strategies, property owners and managers can keep their businesses operating safely and efficiently all winter long. For larger or more complex commercial gutter systems, working with a local professional can offer the support and services needed to winterize your property and keep gutters functioning, no matter the temperature outside. Don’t let the next blizzard catch you unprepared; inspect and protect your commercial gutters today.