Roof Valleys: The Busiest Part of Your Roof

What is a roof valley?

A roof valley is the channel where two roof slopes meet and slope inward. Rain from both slopes runs into the valley and down to the gutter. That makes the valley the busiest part of the roof in a storm, and one of the most common places for a leak to start.

Why valleys leak

• Volume of water. Two slopes drain into one line.
• Debris. Leaves and pine needles collect in valleys and hold water.
• Poor installation. Nails placed too close to the center of the valley, or shingles cut short, leave a path for water.
• Wear. Fast-moving water wears granules off valley shingles sooner.

Signs of valley trouble

• A ceiling stain where two rooflines meet above.
• Debris piled in the valley that does not wash out.
• Cracked, curled or worn shingles running down the valley.
• Water overshooting the gutter at the bottom of a valley in heavy rain.

How we build valleys on a new roof

Every Patriot roof package puts ice and water shield in the valleys. It is a self-sealing membrane that sticks to the deck and seals around nails, so a valley stays protected even if water gets under the shingles. Read more about ice and water shield.

What valley repair costs

We publish our repair prices. On a standard-pitch roof, one-story home:

• Repair up to 10 feet of valley: $1,038
• Repair up to 15 feet of valley: $1,316
• Repair up to 20 feet of valley: $1,833
• Repair up to 30 feet of valley: $2,388
• Repair up to 45 feet of valley: $2,816

Steeper roofs and two-story homes cost more. See every line on our roof repair cost page. Once all recommended repairs are done, your roof is covered by the 365-Day Patriot Leak Free Guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Should I clean debris out of my valleys?

Keeping valleys clear helps, but please stay off the roof. Large debris removal is one of the services offered through the Patriot Care Club.

Can one valley be fixed without a new roof?

Yes. A valley repair is priced by length, as shown above.

Seeing a leak or a stain?

Book a repair visit. The diagnostic visit is $79.99, and Patriot Care Club members pay no service fee. Your technician shows you the price from our price book before any work starts.