One of the most common roof repairs we perform on Atlanta area homes is due to a leak in the valley of the roof. Often times the original roofer who installed the roofing system failed to include a leak barrier in the valley, such as GAF Weather Watch or valley metal. Below are some of the common reasons valleys leak as well as a few solutions you can try yourself before calling a roofer. If your leak is an emergency, please call Fowler Homes at 770-744-5992. We service the entire Atlanta area from Canton and Cumming in the north to Grant Park, Midtown, and Buckhead.
Common Causes of Roof Leaks in Valley
- Leaves and Debris
- Lack Of Leak Barrier
- Improper Installation
Roof Leak Because of Leaves and Debris
Every residential roofing system in Atlanta depends on one thing to work properly—the efficient shedding of water. When leaves and other debris from trees builds up in your roof’s valley, it undermines the design of the roof and actually creates a small dam, preventing water from flowing down and off of your roof.
If you have safe and easy access to your roof, you can remove all debris from the valley and see if it solves your problem.
Leaky Roof Caused by Lack of Leak Barrier
In an effort to cut costs, some Atlanta roofers will skimp on important parts of your roof system. Leaving off a good quality leak barrier might save a roofing contractor a few hundred dollars, but it can cost you much more in the long run. Leak barriers such as GAF’s Weather Watch or Grace Ice and Water Shield are three foot wide membranes that are installed down the middle of the roof’s valley. One of the weakest parts of any roof in Atlanta is the valley, and as such, it needs an extra layer of protection underneath the shingles to help keep out rushing water. If your contractor didn’t install metal or weather watch, and you are experiencing a roof leak, you will need to contact a roofing company to repair the problem. The roofer will need to remove shingles on both sides of the valley and install flashing below. While it may cost more, we always suggest that homeowners go with GAF’s Weather Watch membrane instead of metal.
Roof Leak Due to Improper Installation
Finally, the largest problem Fowler Homes finds in roof valleys is something that could easily be solved with training of installers. Roof valleys are a complicated part of residential roofing systems and require extra attention. If your roof’s valley is free from debris and a valley metal or leak barrier is present, your leak is most likely caused by improper installation of the shingles.
How Not to Repair Your Roof Leak
Many DIY homeowners think the best way to solve any roof leak is to apply liberal amounts of caulking. It’s important to note that this will most likely make your leaky roof worse, not better. Shingled roofs work by shedding water to the shingles below them, and caulking applied in the wrong places traps water behind the shingles and prevents it from escaping the system.
To read about Fowler Homes’ free 15 Point Roof Inspection that goes over your entire roofing system in detail, go here. Also, feel free to call us at 770-744-5992 to have one of our trained inspectors come out today.