Just as with any other building, proper drainage around your business is important. Even if you are leasing the space, and the building owner is responsible for maintenance, you should take an active role in ensuring that gutter maintenance is completed in a timely manner. Inadequate drainage can cause leaks that damage your merchandise, as well as hazards that represent a serious liability problem.

Stains Around the Edges of the Building

If the water is flowing through the gutters properly, it will carry with it all the dirt and debris nearby. If the gutters get too full, then not only will the water start spilling over the edges, but it will also carry that dirt and debris over the edge with it. Even if the water is not obvious, the dirt and damage will be visible long after the rain has past. There are a few things to look for on the outside of the building:

• The outside of the gutters themselves should be clean. If you have white gutters, it should be pretty easy to spot the dirt building up on the sides.
• Exterior building materials are water resistant, but they are not designed to be saturated. Wood, in particular, will start to warp, but all building materials will start to show excess wear.
• Take a second to actually look at the gutters themselves. The easiest problem to spot is gutters that are rusting, bent, or falling down. If the gutters are damaged, there is no way they can carry water properly.

Water Around the Building Instead of the Downspouts

Once in awhile, head outside after a big storm and look at where the puddles are. They need to be away from the building, where the downspouts end. If the area around the downspouts are drier than the area around them, then they are obviously not carrying any water away from the building. This is especially important in colder climates, where puddles around the building can become ice in the winter. You don't want to lose customers or your business because someone slipped on your front walk.

Water Stains Around the Ceiling or Basement

Perhaps the most serious sign of trouble is stains that are showing up around the ceiling or basement. If the water isn't being pulled from the roof quickly enough, it gets more time to work its way into flaws in the roof, as well as making them worse. This is probably the scariest for you as a business owner, as water pouring into your business can both damage your product and shut you down for awhile.

While damage in the basement doesn't seem as serious, it may actually be a bigger issue. Having all that water settled around the base can actually eat away at the foundation of the building. It does not take much imagination to realize what that will lead to in the long run. Instead of losing the building completely, make sure that the gutters are clean and in good repair.

Gutter cleaning is important on every building, regardless of whether it is residential or commercial. By spotting the signs of water damage early, you can prevent serious damage to your business. Of course, the simplest way to ensure that you never have any of these problems is to contract with a local gutter cleaning company. You will avoid damage to your building, and minimize the wear and tear on your gutters. By getting up close and personal with your gutters, they will be able to tell you when it is time for repairs. You might even want to invest in "maintenance free" gutters. You won't actually get out of maintenance completely, but it will minimize the number of potential problems that full gutters can cause.