Outdoor Enclosure has rain water pooling on top

[Ejoseph1]

Hi there everyone. First post here and firstly thanks to everyone for the information and ideas stored in this place. It has been incredibly helpful.

I tried using the search to find similar posts to this but I didn't find anything, or I just didn't search the right thing. Anyway, I built an enclosure outdoors using metal conduit, tarps, and an impact screen (see image). It works well when it is nice out. Unfortunately the problem I am having now is when it rains the tarp on top (which I have to keep sunlight out when I use a projector) collects the rain water, which breaks then bungees holding it and now the grommets are starting to rip out of the tarp. My current solution was to cut out a hole in the middle, but now there is rain water pooling in other areas of the tarp, still pulling the whole thing down.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what I can do other than cutting more holes. Ideally I would love to pitch it in the middle like a roof but I don't know how difficult that might be or if it is even possible. If anyone has some thoughts please let me know.

[3on3putt]

I wonder if you could take a pole that is taller than the frame and stand it up in the middle propping up the center of the roof so it pitches outward. Leave the pole in place when not in use so if it rains you'll have a pitched roof. When you go to play, simply remove the pole. May have to attach the pole to some sort of base in order to get it to stay in place.

I don't think making a permanent pitch would be too difficult. They sell EMT fittings that are at a 45 degree angle. Buy a couple shorter pipes (or cut a longer one in half) along with a few 45-degree fittings and just add the pitch to the middle. May have to buy a bigger tarp or a second tarp if the current one won't reach as high as the pitch.

[h0und10]

Yeah either put a pole in the middle that is taller so everything drains off when you are not using it. Most boat tarps use this during storage. Or else just make one side of your EMT build taller so water drains off to one side. I believe it is called a "shed roof pitch"

[Ejoseph1]

I had totally not even thought about one side being taller. That also seems like it would be a relatively easy change to make. I think making something to push up the middle is possible but it is already 10 ft tall so getting something tall enough may be a challenge. Thanks for the thoughts!

[SirShankAlot]

You need to put a canopy on top like I did for mine. Pick up some EMT or fence poles and canopy fittings. You can have different slopes such as a low (102 degress), medium (110 degrees) or high (120 degress) peak. If I recall correctly I think mine is a medium peak. You could get fittings to do a slope roof so the water drains away from the structure but you'll need to put taller poles on that side. Since your main frame is already built I would retro fit a typical canopy on top.

I have my build posted here if you're interested - https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...or-build/page2

To attach the cross-members to the top horizontal poles you can use chain link end rail clamps (this is what I used) or they sell corner canopy fittings that have an angle on top to receive a pole.

[Ejoseph1]

I like the look of this but my build is with 1" EMT and I see you said that you use 1 5/8". I did a quick look and I am not sure I can find chain link end clamps of the proper size

[JayBrd85]

I bought my 1" conduit fittings here: https://www.carlofet.com/shop/fittin...ipe-connectors

[SirShankAlot]

Ejoseph1 try contacting these guys - https://makerpipe.com/

They have all sorts of fittings for EMT and could probably sort you out for 1 inch. You can also attach the chain link end clamps to the corner fittings which would be larger than 1". I suggest measuring the outside diameter and see if that works.

[3on3putt]

I will also vouch for the makerpipe company. I used them and they are great products.