Commercial Gutters and Roof Drainage
Move the Water Off the Roof and Away From the Walls.
Water that can't get off a roof will find a way into the building. We install and repair commercial gutters, downspouts, scuppers, and roof drains, and we fix the low spots where water sits.
Free Roof Inspection
Tell Us About Your Building
No obligation. You get photos and a written proposal with your options.
Why it matters
Why Drainage Decides How Long a Roof Lasts
Flat roofs aren't actually flat. They are built with a slight slope that carries water to drains, scuppers, or gutters. When any part of that path fails, the roof starts holding water.
Standing water adds weight, speeds up the breakdown of many roof surfaces, grows algae and plant life, and finds any weak seam. In winter, it freezes and thaws over and over, which opens cracks wider each time. A roof with good drainage simply has fewer chances to fail.
Drainage problems also reach past the roof. Overflowing gutters and short downspouts send water down walls and into foundations, loading docks, and entrances, where it causes damage and slip hazards of its own.
At the roof edge
Commercial Gutters and Downspouts
Commercial gutters have to carry far more water than residential ones, from a much larger roof, often over doors, docks, and walkways.
We install and repair gutters and downspouts sized for the roof area they serve, and fastened to stand up to snow and ice sliding off the roof. Where the building allows, longer runs with fewer joints mean fewer places to leak.
Gutter work we handle
- New gutters and downspouts on existing buildings and additions.
- Replacing gutters that are undersized, sagging, or pulling off the fascia.
- Resealing leaking joints, end caps, and outlets.
- Extending or rerouting downspouts away from doors, docks, and foundations.
- Cleaning gutters and downspouts as part of scheduled maintenance.
On the roof
Scuppers and Internal Drains
Many commercial buildings drain through the roof itself rather than off the edge. These drains are easy to forget until they back up.
Internal roof drains
Drains set into the roof surface carry water down through pipes inside the building. We clear them, replace missing or broken strainers, and reseal the membrane and clamping ring where leaks start.
Scuppers
Openings through the parapet or roof edge that let water run off. We repair and reflash leaking scuppers and collector boxes, and add overflow scuppers where a roof has no backup path for water.
Drain flashing
The connection between the drain and the roof is one of the most common leak points on a flat roof. We rebuild it with new membrane or reinforced coating when it fails.
Step by step
Fixing Ponding Water
Ponding is water that stays on the roof long after the rain stops. It is fixable, but only if the cause is found first.
Not every ponding problem is a roofing problem. If a deck or structural member has sagged, the structure needs to be evaluated first, sometimes by an engineer, and we'll tell you if we see signs of that.
Map the water
We note where water collects, how deep it gets, and how it relates to the drains and the roof slope.
Find the cause
Clogged or high drains, too few drains, crushed insulation, or a deck that has sagged.
Clear and correct the drains
Drains are cleared, and lowered, added, or supplemented with scuppers where needed.
Build up the low areas
Tapered insulation or added material redirects water to the drains.
Check it after rain
We confirm the water is clearing as it should and adjust if it isn't.
Questions
Drainage FAQs
How much standing water on a flat roof is too much?
A common rule of thumb in the roofing industry is that water still standing 48 hours after rain is ponding, and it should be looked at. Small puddles that dry within a day or two are usually not a concern. Large or deep areas that never dry out are, because they add weight, break down many roof surfaces, and find any weak seam.
Do commercial gutters need to be cleaned?
Yes, at least once a year, and twice a year where there are trees nearby. A clogged gutter overflows against the building, sends water behind the fascia, and in winter freezes solid and can pull away from the wall. Gutter and drain cleaning can be part of a roof maintenance program.
What is a scupper?
A scupper is an opening through a parapet wall or roof edge that lets water run off a flat roof, usually into a collector box and downspout. Scuppers also serve as overflow drains on many roofs, so water has a way off if the main drains clog.
Can you fix ponding without replacing the roof?
Often, yes. Clearing or lowering a drain, adding a drain or scupper, or building up low areas with tapered insulation or extra material can move water off the roof without a full replacement. If the ponding comes from a sagging deck or structure, that needs a closer look, sometimes with an engineer, before the roof itself is addressed.
Service area
Where We Offer Commercial Gutters & Drainage
We're based in Fort Plain, NY, and serve commercial buildings within about 100 miles, and farther when a job calls for it.
Related services
- Commercial Roof RepairFind the real source of a leak and fix it, so you stop paying for the same repair twice.
- Roof Inspection & MaintenanceScheduled checks that catch small problems before they become leaks.
- Commercial Roof RestorationRenew a worn but sound roof in place and put off a full tear-off.
Your next step
Request a Free Roof Inspection
We'll look at how water moves off your roof, from the high points to the downspouts, and tell you what needs attention. You'll get photos and a written proposal within 24 to 72 hours of the inspection.
Call or text (518) 612-0001. We respond within 24 to 48 hours.