Forged in 1984.
Proven since the Middle Ages.

Forged in 1984.
Proven since the Middle Ages.

We solve your technical metal roof and metal building envelope questions.

Solving Your Technical Metal Roof and Building Envelope Questions
Expert Solutions for Complex Architectural Challenges

Ever wonder where to go to ask your technical metal roof and building envelope related questions? We are always telling you that we have the answers, but would you like a sneak peak into what that might look like for you?

Addressing a Gothic-Style Monastery’s Drainage Needs

We have client building a Gothic style monastery in a climate-intense area. The building itself is going to be a tour-de-force, but when paired with difficult environmental conditions, they are faced with myriad issues. Their intent is to build beautifully and with permanence, so we are the correct match up for them.

Designing Effective Drainage for Extreme Climates

The issue at hand revolves around designing an effective and efficient drainage system for the Gothic-style monastery, particularly in a climate characterized by extreme wind, rain, snow, and fluctuating temperatures. Given the unique architectural and environmental challenges posed by the location, including the potential for blockages, dead birds, and ice accumulation, the priority lies in crafting a solution that not only ensures the building’s integrity and aesthetics but also mitigates the risk of water damage and structural issues.

Key Client Concerns About Drainage Systems

Here’s how that conversation went:

Client:
…”That would mean an overflow about every buttress, correct? When there is both an overflow and a downspout at a buttress, would they be combined into the same unit (like a leaderbox with built in overflow) or is it best to keep them separate?

Also, our weather here tends to be extremely windy. The main issues we see facing are wind driven rain, snow, and the freeze thaw of rapidly changing temperatures. The water from overflows/gargoyles would certainly be caught by the wind and blown easily back at the building. Have you ever seen something like a vertical gutter or open faced downspout? Something where the water from the overflow is channeled down a metal lined trough running down the wall. In my mind the benefit of it being open would be that it would never clog up like a downspout. I am just throwing out ideas here. Let me know your thoughts.”

Spengler Industries’ Response – A Strategic Approach

Our response:

Spengler Industries:
“You have valid concerns. Thank you for listing them up so we can explore the solution with knowing all the facts.

An emergency overflow serves two main purposes:

  1. Emergency Activation: It activates during emergencies, signaling an issue.
  2. Temporary Management: It temporarily manages the problem until it can be fully addressed.

If someone observes water still being released from the emergency overflow even after rainfall has ceased, this indicates that the system is functioning (in the sense that it’s preventing flooding). However, the continuous discharge suggests there may be a blockage in the main downspout that needs attention.

Planning Downspout and Overflow Locations

Imagine a large flat roof. For safety, a flat roof must include at least two downspouts and two emergency overflows. This design anticipates worst-case scenarios. It’s expected that one downspout might get clogged, and there’s a high chance the second one could get clogged shortly after due to similar reasons. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a properly sized, strategically located, and regularly maintained overflow system in place.

Given the type of roof you have, it’s likely to experience issues with dead birds blocking the downspouts. It’s advisable to schedule maintenance at least twice a year to clean the gutters. Additionally, if someone observes water spilling from the overflow, an unscheduled cleaning should be conducted promptly.

The Role of Sunlight in Ice Melting

A downspout system should always be planned in a way that the downspout receives just as much sunshine as the roof above it so when it melts the ice on the roof, it also melts the ice in the downspouts. This is the very reason why sometimes downspouts have their own little wall built out of stones from the gutter all the way to the ground, so this little wall section can catch more sunshine than the downspout would by itself alone, so ice in the downspouts can melt WHEN the ice on the roof melts, too.

It is practically not possible, however, to achieve this on a north, north-west and north-east facing walls. The goal is to avoid those facing walls by design.

On another note, if a wall and its roofs and downspouts are facing north, for example, the ice on that north-facing roof will not melt without direct sunlight, so that downspout does not need sunshine to melt its ice either.

Customizing Drainage Solutions for Your Project

To address your question directly: We need to carefully determine the locations of the downspouts and consider their surroundings as they descend the wall. Additionally, we should install enough overflows. If any overflow begins releasing water, it indicates an issue that needs immediate attention. Ideally, the overflows should not discharge enough water to cause staining on the walls.”

Have really specific, technical questions pertinent to your metal roof or metal building envelope you’d like to have answered? Call us today, and we’ll help you plan.

801-462-5264

Further reading:

American Society of Civil Engineers – Drainage Design Standards

Spengler Industries