Metal buildings and steel buildings are used for all sorts of purposes these days. Metal buildings can be used for residences and are often referred to as “ Barndominiums “. Metal buildings are often used as churches, commercial buildings and self storage facilities. Metal buildings are popular for their durability and cost efficiency, but they come with a unique challenge—gutter clogging. Unlike standard gutters on traditional homes, metal buildings use a specialized sculptured gutter, also known as a sculpted eave gutter and this unique rain gutter design includes a high front edge and a lower back edge, making it highly susceptible to water backup and interior leaks when clogged. This is a unique problem for metal building gutters because the low back edge of the gutter often allows gutter clogging to back up over the back edge of the gutter and actually leak down the outer wall of the metal building and end up with water on the floor or even a flood.
Because of how these gutters are attached, strapped to the upper ribs of the metal roof, most traditional gutter guards cannot be installed on them. This leads to an ongoing issue that clogged metal building gutters often cause flooding inside the structure. They do not have a fascia behind the gutter so clogging and rain gutter backup causes rain water to rise over the back edge of the gutter and leak down the inside outer metal building wall. Fortunately, GutterBrush offers a simple, effective solution to metal building gutter clogging, preventing costly rain water damage while remaining easy to install and maintain.
Why Metal Building Gutter Problems Regularly Cause Flooding

Metal building gutters, particularly sculptured eave gutters, are engineered differently from standard residential gutters. Here’s why they are more vulnerable to clogging and interior water damage:
1. High Front Gutter Edge, Low Back Edge
- Most traditional gutters have a uniform shape that allows overflow to spill forward and away from the building.
- With metal building gutters, the high front edge prevents this from happening—instead, water overflows toward the back when clogged.
- Since the back of the gutter is lower, when debris causes a clog, water backs up into the structure, leading to leaks, wet floors, and even flooding.
2. Gutter Strapped to Roof Ribs – No Room for Gutter Guards
- The front edge of metal building gutters is attached to the roof ribs using metal rain gutter straps, meaning there is no flat edge under which to secure a traditional gutter guard.
- This eliminates the possibility of installing screen, mesh, or helmet-style guards, which require a lip or surface to lap under and attach to.
3. Leaves Accumulate Quickly Causing Gutter Clogging
- Because of their large gutter size, sculptured gutters collect leaves, pine needles, and other debris rapidly.
- Without rain gutter protection, clogs form frequently, leading to water overflow and interior damage.
What Types of Metal Building Gutters have this Problem?
Traditional metal buildings like the ones that were installed everywhere in the USA in the 1980 and 1990s have this problem. The gutters were designed in such a way to fit into the prefabricated metal building system, and they do provide an extremely strong rain gutter that hides many of the prefabricated metal building imperfections. There do not seem to be many benefits as to why they would create such a horrible design, however this design with the higher front gutter edge, lower back gutter edge, and being strapped to the roof, is universal with most traditional metal buildings and seems to be the cause of the rain gutter backup. Typical preengineered metal building manufacturers with these gutters are made by common names such as Mueller, Butler, an Morton. Other manufacturers well known for their pre-engineered metal buildings are Encore Steel Buildings, World Wide Steel Buildings, Blue scope Buildings and Nucor Steel Buildings. If you have a traditional metal building and you are having gutter clogging leakage and backup, just check the design of the metal building gutter and see if it is the problem. Here's a page that talks specifically about the metal building gutter design and problem. Here's a page that talks about a Large Brush Gutter Guard Solution.

These factors create a perfect storm for interior water damage in metal buildings. Owners often only realize there’s a problem after water has already leaked from the gutter, run down the wall and seeped inside the building leading to ruined floors, equipment, property damage, and mold growth.
GutterBrush: The Solution for Metal Building Gutter Problems from Clogging
Since common gutter guards do not fit and cannot be installed on metal building gutters, many property owners are left with no option but to clean them out regularly which is a time-consuming, dangerous chore. And if you forget, then you could have property damage.
This is where GutterBrush comes in. Unlike traditional guards that require fastening to the gutter edge and under the roof drip edge, GutterBrush is a simple brush insert that fits directly into the gutter channel and keeps the metal building gutter from clogging. See commercial sizes of GutterBrush.
How GutterBrush Solves the Metal Building Gutter Problem
- No Tools, No Fasteners – Just Insert It!
- Since GutterBrush sits inside the gutter, it does not require attachment to the sculpted eave gutter or roof ribs.
- Simply slide the brush sections into the gutter, and they begin protecting immediately.
- Prevents Clogging, Keeps Water Flowing
- GutterBrush’s dense, UV-protected bristles allow water to flow freely while blocking leaves and debris from clogging.
- Unlike other rain gutter protection, GutterBrush continues working solving rain gutter clogging with minimal upkeep.
- Eliminate the Risk of Interior Water Damage from Gutter Leaks
- Since GutterBrush prevents clogs, water won’t back up and leak into the building.
- This saves metal building owners from costly flood repairs and property damage.
Easy DIY Installation – No Professional Required
One of the biggest benefits of GutterBrush is how easy it is to install. Unlike traditional gutter covers that require drilling, fastening or professional help, anyone can install GutterBrush in just minutes.
How to Install GutterBrush on a Metal Building
- Clean the gutter – Remove any existing leaves, dirt, and debris.
- Insert GutterBrush – Simply slide the 3 foot brush sections end-to-end into the gutter.
- Fill The Whole Gutter - Just fill the gutter and you are done!
That’s it! No tools, no complicated installation—just long-lasting protection from clogs and water damage.
For a detailed GutterBrush brush gutter guard installation guide, click here.
GutterBrush: Long-Lasting, Durable Protection
When investing in a gutter protection system, longevity matters. GutterBrush is built to last far beyond its 10-year material warranty, with many customers reporting over 15 years of effective performance.
With over 20 years of proven success, GutterBrush is a trusted solution used by homeowners, contractors, and metal building owners across the country.
Don’t Wait for Water Damage – Protect Your Metal Building Gutters Today
If you own a metal building with sculptured gutters, you already know how easily they clog and back up. The risk of interior water damage and flooding is too high to ignore. Instead of spending time on risky ladder climbs to clean them out, install GutterBrush and enjoy lasting peace of mind and clog protection.
Visit www.gutterbrush.com to order today! Discounts may be available, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Questions? Call Us Today!
888-397-9433
info@gutterbrush.com
The GutterBrush team is always ready to help. Whether you need sizing recommendations, have installation questions, or just want to discuss your metal building’s gutter challenges, give the folks at GutterBrush a call—they’re happy to help and might even give you a discount!