When homeowners think about roof maintenance, they usually look for missing shingles, damaged gutters or obvious storm damage.
But there's another part of your roof that quietly handles an enormous amount of water every time it rains.
Your roof valleys.
A roof valley is the area where two sloped sections of a roof meet. Because water from both sections is directed into the same channel, valleys become one of the hardest-working drainage areas on the entire roofing system.
And as leaves begin falling, they're also one of the easiest areas to forget.
Why Valleys Matter
Think of a roof valley like a drainage lane.
Rainwater traveling down two different sections of your roof eventually meets there before continuing toward the gutter.
That concentrates water in a relatively narrow area.
Properly installed valleys are designed to handle that flow, but problems can develop when shingles, flashing or underlayment become damaged.
Debris can make matters worse.
GAF notes that valleys can collect leaves, dirt and twigs, potentially creating clogs that allow moisture to work beneath shingles.
Leaves Can Create More Than a Mess
A few dry leaves probably don't look threatening.
The problem begins when they accumulate.
Leaves can trap additional debris and hold moisture against the roof surface. When enough material collects in a valley, water may not move down the roof as freely as intended.
That makes fall an especially important time to pay attention to areas beneath large trees.
Removing roof debris can also reduce places where insects, rodents or birds may gather. GAF recommends having leaves and debris professionally removed rather than homeowners walking on steep roofing surfaces themselves.
Look Where Valleys Meet Gutters
The bottom of a valley deserves just as much attention as the valley itself.
That's where a large amount of water and debris may arrive at the gutter at once.
If the gutter is already filled with leaves, water may overflow rather than flowing into the downspout.
You may notice:
Water spilling over one specific section of gutter.
Dark staining around the fascia.
Debris consistently collecting beneath the same roof valley.
Water appearing where it hasn't before.
Those clues may indicate that drainage deserves a closer look.
Chimneys Create Similar Problems
Chimneys interrupt the natural path of water moving down your roof.
On certain roofs, a cricket — sometimes called a saddle — is constructed behind the chimney to split that water and direct it around the obstruction.
Roof crickets can also help reduce water and debris accumulation behind chimneys.
But the cricket, shingles and surrounding flashing still need to remain in good condition.
Leaves sitting behind a chimney can sometimes hide exactly the area that most needs to be inspected.
Flashing Is Part of the System
Valleys and chimneys depend heavily on proper flashing.
Roof flashing is designed to direct water away from vulnerable intersections and penetrations, including valleys, chimneys, walls and vents.
If flashing becomes loose, damaged or improperly sealed, water may find a route beneath the roofing material.
From the ground, these problems aren't always obvious.
That's one reason a professional roof inspection can reveal considerably more than a quick look from the driveway.
Don't Climb Up Just to Check
Homeowners can safely look for several warning signs without walking on the roof.
From the ground, look for heavy leaf buildup, overflowing gutters, visibly displaced shingles or debris collecting around roof intersections.
Inside the home, watch for new ceiling stains or moisture.
GAF recommends routine roof checks in spring and fall, while noting that professional inspection is the safer option when accessing the roof itself.
Getting on a steep roof simply to clear a few leaves isn't worth risking a fall.
A Small Maintenance Job Can Prevent a Bigger Problem
Fall roof maintenance doesn't have to mean replacing anything.
Sometimes the most important work is simple:
Clearing debris.
Checking flashing.
Cleaning drainage areas.
Repairing a damaged shingle.
Correcting a small problem before winter exposes it.
That's the value of preventive roofing maintenance.
You aren't waiting for water to appear on the ceiling before paying attention.
You're looking for the conditions that could eventually create the leak.
Take a Look Before the Leaves Pile Up
Roof valleys aren't exciting.
That's exactly why they're easy to ignore.
But during every rainfall, they're quietly carrying a large portion of the water leaving your roof.
This fall, take a look at the parts of your roof where two slopes meet, where valleys reach the gutters and where water moves around chimneys.
If something doesn't look right, Commonwealth Roofing Corp. can help determine whether your roof simply needs maintenance, a targeted repair or a more detailed evaluation.
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