Industrial & Commercial Gutters for Building Surveyors

Gutters form the main link of a system to which water is collected from the roof and is discharged into downpipes where it is disposed off usually into a storm drainage system.

Gutters can be constructed from a range of materials and the most common types that we come across on industrial and commercial buildings are galvanised steel, asbestos cement, concrete, iron, aluminium, and single ply.

A gutter leak can sometimes simply be caused by clogged gutters which leads to poor drainage and the gutters becoming overwhelmed and backing up. This is generally caused by plant growth, vegetation from trees and general debris. The simple remedy to this is regular inspections and a bi annual clean of the gutters or as necessary depending on the location and type of drainage. Inadequate falls to gutters are also an issue and will accelerate the problem. Ponding water and inadequate drainage also accelerate the failure of the substrate leading to further leaks and deterioration.

There maybe a number of reasons why the gutter is leaking, this could be from the joints where they have become loose, distorted, twisted and/or the seals have started to deteriorate over time. Other more serious causes could be from holes, cracks or other damage in the gutter. Depending on the substrate this could be caused by corrosion, general deterioration to the substrate such as delamination to asbestos cement or mechanical damage and thermal movement to single ply or thermoplastic liners.

Liquid gutter liners are not always the best remedy and the level of deterioration and type of substrate will determine whether they are suitable.

For further information on gutter defects, remedial options and specifications. Please contact me at [email protected] or 0121 709 5352.