Avoid The Wrong Valley Flashing Installation

What Type Of Valley?

Valley flashing installation is very important because the valley on your roof tends to be hit with the most amount of water. As I’m sure you know, a roof valley is the location of the roof where two slopes meet. These valleys are hit with significantly more water compared to other portions of the roof because you have both slopes dumping water into one location.

During a storm, this area can be even more vulnerable to high winds. This means that extreme care needs to be taken to ensure that everything is properly installed. The slightest error of valley flashing installation can cause significant damage.

When there is damage in the valley, with all the excessive water rushing down the valley, it can cause wood to rot at a quicker pace than other parts of the roof. It’s quite common to need wood replaced when it comes to fixing a leak in the valley. 

What Type Of Valley Flashing Do You Have?

There are multiple types of valley flashing. Manufacturers and building codes regulate what method is best for your area. On a shingle roof, you can have the shingles installed in the valley in four different ways. Although the open valley with exposed metal is not proper for the Fort Lauderdale area.

If you have a tile roof you will see metal or copper flashing in the valley. Aside from the roofing material you see from the ground, such as the shingles, there is another material underneath it that adds extra protection and is required by the manufacturer.

Every valley requires the proper installation of underlayment and roof cement to increase the protection in this vulnerable place. 

Shingle Valley Flashing Installation

Installing flashing in the valley begins with clearing the old material down to the wood for a proper inspection. If the wood is in good condition and doesn’t need to be replaced, you can begin installing the underlayment, followed by a sheet of 26 gauge galvanized steel, which helps the transition between slopes to be smooth.

Cover the edges in reinforced polyester fabric and roof cement and lastly, lay the shingles. The shingle can be installed in a woven pattern or a “closed cut” method. If you do need to replace the plywood, make sure that the new piece spans the distance of three trusses. Be sure to inspect the trusses for wood rot as well.

Tile valley flashing

Tile roofs always require metal, lead or copper to be installed in the valley, and from the ground, you will see the metal exposed. You always want Ice and Water Shield to be installed in the valleys and at the eaves. This will add the extra protection needed in these areas of high amounts of water draining off the roof. 

Leaking Valley Flashing

A valley can leak in multiple ways. Having excessive debris from trees sitting in the valley will cause water to back up behind your tiles and shingles. It’s important to clear out the valleys to allow water to flow. When you are inspecting the valley flashing installation, you want to sweep the surface clean and then inspect every inch for even the smallest cut in the metal. Even walking on the roof around the valley can cause issues if you don’t know how to walk on the roof. A metal valley flashing installation will have a lip on each side of the metal to direct water back into the center of the metal. When walking on the roof it’s easy to crush these lips if you don’t know where to step.