Problem
Valley leaks where two roof sides dump water together
A roof valley is a channel. It sees more water than any other shingle, plus pine needles, granules, and ice. When the metal or woven shingles in that channel wear through, the stain shows up in a hallway or closet under the intersection—not under the peak.
Signs we look for
- Stains aligned with an inside corner of the roof
- Debris packed in the valley you can see from the ground
- Rusted or wrinkled valley metal
- Shingles along the valley that are bald or curling
Why it happens
Valleys are the first place ice sits in Minnesota and the first place pine straw sits in Charlotte. Hail bruises the metal in Wichita. A valley cut too tight leaves a thin edge that fails early. Old “tar the valley” repairs hide the cut instead of replacing the metal.
What we do next
We inspect the valley metal or weave, the shingles around it, and the attic when we can get in. The job may be a valley reset or a larger repair if that side of the roof is worn out. We will not smear new tar over a worn channel and call it a fix.
What not to do
Do not hose a packed valley from a ladder on a steep roof. Photograph what you can see from the ground and ask for an inspection if you have a stain below the intersection.
Services that address this
Markets where we see this often
Related: All roof problems · Request an estimate.
People also ask
Can a valley be repaired without replacing both slopes?
- Yes, when the shingles around it still have life and the leak is only in the channel. If both sides of the roof are worn out, a valley-only patch will not last.
Topic cluster
More on repair versus replacement
Repair fits when the failure is isolated and the rest of the roof still has life. Replacement fits when wear or storm damage covers several slopes, leaks keep returning, or the deck is involved. The inspection answers that before anyone writes a contract. Full topic.
Next step
Request an inspection for this problem
Send the address, the storm date if you have it, and what you have noticed. We inspect, then give you a replacement or repair price. Your insurance company decides what they pay.