Old Roofs Usually Arent Worth Fixing
The quality and efficiency of a valley repair are determined largely by how well you can unzip the old valley. Thirty-year dimensional shingles in pretty good shape are a perfect candidate for valley repairs. Old wafer-thin 20-year shingles usually are not worth repairing because theyre too delicate. Its better to replace the entire roof than to fool around with patches. Ironically, 50-year shingles are nearly as unsuited to repairs, but for a different reason. The seal-down strip is too good, which makes it almost impossible to separate the shingles without causing extensive damage. Heres one tip: You may be able to cut the seal-down strips on 50-year shingles using a long, thin knife, such as an old bread knife. Warm the blade with a heat gun, and use the back of the blade to slice through the sticky tar.
During warmer months, I usually start a valley repair around 7 a.m., when the shingles are cool and easy to separate. I try to unzip the valley quickly because by 9 a.m., the shingles are often too hot to separate cleanly. During cooler months, I start later to give the shingles a chance to warm enough to be pliable.
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How Much Does Replacing A Roof Valley Cost
Roof valley repointing, or as it’s more commonly known replacing, replaces cement only and re-use existing valley flashing, then you are looking at around £300 to £375, for a full replacement add on approximately £100-150.
This assumes typical replacement with cheap and easy to access roof tiles and easy access to both the house and the roof valley itself.
Most roofers work in pairs, and the average cost is around £250 per day between them. In terms of times frames, you’re looking at around 4-6 hours to repair a roof valley or around 6-8 hours to fully replace.
Of course, these prices can differ depending on a variety of factors. If you live in a big city, like London or Manchester, you’re likely to pay an increased price due to the cost of living. If you have had a conversion, extension, or simply just have a large home, the area of the roof will determine the overall cost associated with the job.
If the contractors working on your roof valley discover other aspects of your roof that requires repair in order for the valley repair work to be completed, this will be added to the initial quote.
Another cost defining factor depends on the type of roof valley you have installed on your home, which we will discuss later on in the article.
How To Repair A Roof Valley Diy
We just had a building inspection come back on the roof of our house stating that one of the valleys in our asphalt single roof needs repair. It has never leaked, and I didnt think it looked all that bad, but the building inspector seemed to deem that the roof valley needs to be repaired.
There is a little deterioration on the last few tiles that according to the building inspector means that the entire 20-feet of roof valley needs to be repaired.
Bummer
I have been looking at how to do a DIY roof repair on the valley and came across this video of someone else doing a roof valley replacement on a house that needed its roof valley repaired:
While researching this problem I also stopped by Home Depot to try to get some advice. Do you ever feel like you know more about construction and house repair than the people who work at the those big box stores? That is kind of how I felt today as a kid tried to tell me I just needed some 4 by 4 metal flashing to fit in under some cut tiles.
Mate, that really doesnt cut it
After looking at what is involved I am feeling that the roof valley repair that I need doing may be a bit over my head for a DIY job unfortunately.
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Leaking Roof Valleys And How To Fix Them
Roof valleys, if not installed correctly are one of the most leak-prone areas on the roof. Because roof valleys function as a drain on the roof, they receive a disproportionate volume of water every time it rains. Leaking roof valleys are some of the most common roof repairs requested.
Just like in nature, a valley on a roof is designed to collect water if that water doesnt shed off the roof fast enough or gets under the roofing material, roof leaks will soon develop. Roof leaks in valleys often turn into unsightly repairs. Lets look at leaking roof valleys and the best way to fix them.
How To Fix A Dead Valley On A Roof
Water flows downhill by nature, and in most cases, rainwater flows down the gutters and away from the house. Leaves, twigs, and other debris that hold water make for an expensive roof repair in a dead valley since there is nowhere else for the water to go.
Though dead valleys might be unavoidable owing to a home’s architecture, they don’t have to be damaged areas that require a partial roof repair. The felt paper and shingles you’d use in a dead valley will eventually wear out from exposure to the sun, so you should expect a leak within three to five years.
Applying a modified bitumen treatment and other waterproofing methods will help prevent water from accessing the framing and causing leaks and damage.
If you want to avoid leaks and other problems caused by dead valleys on your roof, you should hire a certified roofing company with experience in this area. Your roofer is the one responsible for making the necessary repairs as many inexperienced roofers may just shingle over the region even though a dead valley requires special attention.
1. Put up an ice and water barrier
It has become customary to install an ice and water membrane and to use high-grade metal products that are custom-made to fit your application to create waterproofing on vulnerable areas of a roof.
Roof underlayment membranes are designed to prevent ice and water damage to places that are particularly prone to it, such as roof valleys. Polymer-modified bitumen is used to make ice and water protectors .
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How To Clean And Refinish Roof Valleys
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Roof valleys occur where two sections of roof meet. Sheet metal is applied to the valley under the roof shingles to prevent the joint from leaking and direct rain water off the roof.
Remove rust from valley. Spray paint valley.
If not maintained properly, roof valleys can become clogged with leaves and other debris, which can cause the metal to rust and the roof to leak. To clean and refinish a roof valley:
- Use a broom to sweep off the leaves and other debris.
- Remove the bulk of the rust from the valley by scraping it with a flat pry bar, putty knife or paint scraper.
- Use a wire brush to remove the remaining rust.
- Sweep the valley clean with a broom.
- Mask off the bordering shingles by tucking newspapers under them, and folding it back over the roofing material.
- Apply two to three coats of a rust inhibiting spray paint to the sheet metal on the valleys to inhibit rust, prevent future leaks, and improve the look of the valley.
Watch this video to find out more.
Guaranteed Roof Valley Repairs
Servicing the eastern suburbs of Melbourne
Its important to make sure your roof valleys are kept in good condition. Otherwise, ongoing damage can be caused to your home, and it can often start without being obvious enough for you to notice it. However, when stains start to appear in that part of your ceiling under a roof valley, damage has already been caused.
Major leaks do happen, especially after your roof has been suddenly treated to everything our unpredictable wet Melbourne climate has to offer. Often though, damage can be caused by gradual wear and tear, perhaps due to an initially small, but soon expanding, rust hole. Blockages, such as accumulated leaves and other debris, can also lead to a build-up of water then causing serious damage if it accesses your roof cavity.
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It Is Very Common For Water To Leak At A Valley
A roof valley is where two sloped roofs meet on a home. This is the point where stormwater will collect and flow into your custom gutter and downspout system. The way the valley is constructed in a shingle roof installation is critical. When improperly installed and flashed, valleys pose a major risk for serious leaking problems. Though valleys are not considered a roofing penetration, they are still required to be flashed and waterproofed.
As you read this article, you will understand that a valley must include properly installed flashing done by a roofing specialist along the entire area. Below we dive further into this issue so you can have a better visual of why valleys will leak and become such a problem.
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Snow On Standing Seams
While standing-seam roofs are more durable and long-lasting than conventional roofs, they can still be damaged by snow and ice storms. Since snow always flows down the valley in a standing seam roof, large chunks of snow can snag on the seams and bend them. This can weaken the overall structure of the roof and cause leaks.
If you want to avoid costly repairs in future winters, then you must take the time to purchase and install snow guards on your roof. Snow guards are the easiest way to prevent snow from working its way into the gaps between your roofs shingle, which can eventually lead to problems like ice dams, leaks, and even mold growth on your ceilings.
If youre experiencing a leak in one or more of your roof valleys, theres a good chance that its preventable. These common problems can be avoided with careful, expert installation of flashing and underlayment, followed by applying sealants and snow guards. In many cases, you will avoid a significant leak altogether. You can always call our roofers at All Around Roofing, Siding & Gutters, and we will help you determine the extent of damage and how we can fix that.
Leading Roofing Contractor Serving Kettering, Englewood & All Of Greater Dayton, OH
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Debris In Gutters That Stop Above A Roof
A valley is where two roof slopes meet in a V-shape that allows water to flow down a roof freely. When a valley stops in the middle of a roof, it will have a gutter that runs into it so the water can continue flowing down.
The problem is with the fascia, which is the board that runs along the lower edge of the roof that carries all the gutters. When theres improperly installed flashing or no flashing at all applied to the fascia board, a leak will happen.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Roof Valley
If a repair isnt possible, the entire valley can be removed and replaced.
In most but not all cases, the new valley will be either fibreglass or lead.
Heres a project schedule and example price for this type of work:
- Erect access equipment to the edge of the roof.
- Remove and set aside the existing tiles.
- Remove the cement, underlay and existing valley, lower to ground.
- Lay a new felt underlay.
- Lay new fibreglass valley trough.
- Bed tiles onto new mortar and point in to leave a neat finish.
- Remove the access tower and remove all waste.
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Do I Need My Roof Valley Replacing
There are tell-tale signs that your roof valley is close to needing a repair or replacement, usually centring around leaks, or the abnormal expelling of rainwater. The only way to confirm what aspect of your roofing requires repairing is for a trained professional to survey it themselves, most probably by getting atop the roof for closer inspections.
If you have any leaks inside your home, there will undoubtedly be something on that requires repairing, either the slates or the valley. If water is expelling from the roof in the wrong areas or in an unusual fashion, the valley is more likely to be at fault. Either way, surveys from roofing companies are often cheap or free when you use the company for repairs.
Repair Damaged Roof Valley
Heres how to install new flashing in your roof valleys:
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Shingle Roofing: Repairing Valley Leaks In 6 Easy Steps
Though roof valleys are common leak sites on shingle roofs, roof valley leak repairs are fairly straightforward to handle if you know what youre doing.
Roof valleys are channels designed to drain runoff water, and like any other part of your roof, they can degrade over time with exposure to the elements. In other cases, water can become trapped under shingles that have been overlaid to create the valley trough.
In either situation, the leaking roof valley can be fixed by removing affected shingles and structural elements and upgrading your roofs flashing. Flashing is a transitional roofing material that connects the roof material to some other building material or to another part of the roof. And damaged flashing is behind most roof leaks.
Sealing Valleys On A Roof
Valleys are where 2 angles of a roof meet creating a V-shape. When you discover a leak coming from your valley there are a few ways you can make the .
Closed valleys are where the shingles butt together on top of the metal flashing. To repair leaks in this type of valley start at the bottom and slip a piece of flashing in the shape of a diamond under the butted up shingles. Overlap the pieces of flashing at least 2 inches. Nail each shingle and cover the head with roofing cement.
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How To Find & Hire A Roof Valley Replacer
The roof over your head is one of the most important structures of your home, protecting you and your belongings from the elements. When you are considering any roofing work being carried out, using an NFRC member contractor to carry out the work is a good start and will give you some peace of mind.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors is the largest roofing trade association in the UK, and all members are rigorously vetted to ensure a satisfactory trading record, high-quality skills and technical competence, satisfactory insurance cover, full compliance and knowledge of current health and safety legislation, and full compliance with the Government-endorsed TrustMark scheme to help the public find reputable tradesmen to carry out work on their home.
But always gather at least three quotes and pay careful attention to the recommendations given – do not simply go for the best price, when it comes to roofing the quality of work is just as important.
The Professionals At Roof Doctors Diligently Review Your Roof And Wants Whats Best For The Long
SMALL DETAILS MATTER
Roofing applications for homes with a pitch or a slope less than 2.5 Degrees require a flat-roof application.During many roof inspections, we discover patios, room additions, or even porches have flat-pitched roofs with non-flat roof materials .These errors usually causeleaking, and serious dry-rot damage in the sub-roofing and can be extremely expensive to fix.
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Reason 1 Concrete Valley Tiles
Concrete valley tiles are heavy, prone to movement and cracking, difficult to repair, almost impossible to replace and considered by most in the roofing industry to be an outdated material.
Does your roof valley contain concrete tiles like this?
These types of valleys are notorious for leaking, the tiles are so heavy that they often cause the roof timbers to sag, gaps then appear, or the tiles slip, the end result is always the same they leak.
Concrete valley tiles often crack, and they can be difficult if not impossible to replace without damaging more tiles .
While temporary repairs are possible, perhaps by patching over cracks with a glue or other material, concrete valley tiles should ideally be replaced with a more reliable and modern product such as fibreglass:
A fibreglass valley is lightweight, cheap and comes in very long lengths so few overlaps are needed.
