What does “dead valley” mean on a roof?
A dead valley is formed when two steep slopes intersect to form a valley; from that point, water can not drain effectively.
It is also known as “pitch points.” It is a natural consequence of a roof that has many pitches. Therefore, it must be well protected and maintained.
If designed and built correctly, dead valleys aren’t harmful to your roof.
Sometimes, ceilings can be pretty annoying. The Dead Valley is an example of a roof that allows water from multiple areas to drain into one place.
Why is this so?
A dead valley is where two slopes meet so that a low pitch is created on the roof portion that must absorb large amounts of water. Water flows across a flat surface but doesn’t flow. Because the Dead Sea has this phenomenon, it is called “Dead Valley.”
Types of the dead valley
- Parts of a roof where the slopes meet water cannot run off this roof.
- Parts of the roof where water moves slowly and accumulates long before it disappears
- There may be water accumulation in parts of the roof that slope so low it almost becomes flat.
Dead Valley Corner is where a typical valley meets a wall at a corner instead of running straight up to the roof.
A standard stainless steel pan is used to seal the dead valley corner.
The dead valley between tiled slopes: A place where two or more of the slopes are merged.
A flat roof membrane, such as TPO (or modified bitumen), is often installed to complete the seal.
Why is it a problem for roofers to have dead valleys?
Dead valleys can cause severe damage to any roof. They could collect rainwater, snow, and other debris. In addition, as roofing material deteriorates or ages, dirt and water can seep through the roof and cause leaks.
As the roof leaks spread, the roof structure underneath the shingles starts to deteriorate.
You may have to replace your roof and other building components if it has been neglected for a while.
It can be severe if it is not addressed promptly or correctly.
Roofers sometimes use a pile or shingles to cover this area. However, this is not a long-term solution. The roof will cause you to shed the room in three to five years.
The conventional chipboard material used for the remainder of the surface is insufficient to stop leakage in this small area.
The problems caused by dead valleys on a roof
While there are ways to solve the dead valley problem, this may remain a problem when it needs to be taken care of properly. However, if it is mismanaged, inappropriate solutions could cause grave problems.
1. Water And Debris Pooling On The Roof
When two or more roof slopes collide within a dead valley, there is very little or no fall, which allows water and debris to collect.
Stagnant water can be the main reason for leaks. But that’s not the only negative aspect. Other pests, such as cockroaches and termites, might begin to nest in your house.
Insects are attracted by stagnant water and litter it in many different ways. Mosquitoes are particularly fond of the water-filled pools on your roof since they make excellent breeding areas.
Animals, including mice or raccoons, can take a break in the pooled water. It is an ideal spot to enjoy drinks and can use the litter left behind to construct nests for all animals.
In addition to the possibility of expensive repairs, water collected could also be the cause of whole ecosystems that must keep from being a nuisance.
2. Excessive Roof Leaks
When water collects on the roof, it causes the roof to degrade, and the shingles beneath cause issues and leaks in the roof.
Many homeowners don’t know the existence of a dead valley on their roofs. However, ‘It’s no Use Crying Over Spilt Milk.’ It could result in a repair that can be expensive or a replacement.
Leaks entering the Dead Valley are a severe issue for everyone, and an increasing amount of leaks emanating from the roof could signify a hidden dead valley.
It’s always good to keep a note of any dead valley spill. It’s always possible to address dead valley problems.
Roofers may use membranes and other solutions during repairs to shield the roof from accumulated water and unnecessary damage.
3. Moss and Root Formation
Everyone enjoys a garden on the rooftop. However, unwanted development isn’t so great.
Unwanted vegetation growth can get into even the tiniest crevices or cracks of the roof, and pose the risk of serious injury. The roots could break through any membrane on or beneath the roof.
The best place for vegetation to grow is where it is surrounded by standing water. A roof covered in moss, algae, or grass is watertight and, therefore, more prone to damage. In this situation, the water flowing off the roof is of poor quality, collecting rainwater, which can bring in more insects.
It can also impact the water flow out of the reservoir.
4. Dams for water and Ice
If frozen water seems to flow, dams made of Ice may cause severe destruction to a house and could be a significant cause of leaks. In addition, the presence of barriers made by Ice may cause dead valleys to form where previously there was no.
They form when the snow has created a ridge along the edges of a roof. It prevents that snow from draining properly.
The growth of mold and mildew may be a problem. In addition, every time the Ice gets frozen and then melts, it could cause various physical issues like massive cracks on the roof, and peeling paint on the interior.
Ice dams can cause dead valleys in areas that were not there before and render dead valleys more challenging to overcome. Therefore, it is essential to safeguard your home from dams of Ice while also protecting yourself from Ice and water.
Dead Valleys can become A Problem(due to the use of false
solutions)
To ensure that your roof’s dead valley does not become a significant issue, There are a few helpful options you can consider,
How do you fix dead valleys?
1. Have a well-designed valley
We can avoid the most severe problems by building the dead valley correctly. In dead valleys, there is hardly any place for leaves or water to move. So, the roof’s valley must be planned, so there needs to be more space to create such areas on roofs.
Additionally, it reduces the build-up of water on a properly-designed roofing valley, enhancing your house’s overall look.
Most roofing companies can cover dead valleys without taking the necessary steps to waterproof them.
If the valleys have yet to be designed correctly, There will be a variety of slopes on the roof. As a result, the water can enter the valley from several areas of the roof and cause the valley to become dead.
A well-designed valley will help to prevent such issues.
2. Install an ice and water shield
The Snow and Water Shield is one of the most sought-after membranes installed for roof protection.
It is now commonplace to put up a membrane of Ice and water and utilize high-quality metal products designed to fit your needs to provide waterproofing in shaky roof parts.
Even in hot climates, the water and ice shield stops water damage to the roof. The polymer-modified resin is used to construct the snow and water barrier. Once the waterproofing and snow have been put in, the other layers, like roof trusses, are laid.
Metal shields are more efficient than flashes because they aren’t as long-lasting and could require regular maintenance.
3. Modified bitumen
Highly modified bitumen can also be occasionally used in some locations to stop leakage or infiltration and enhance drainage. It is made up of coarse rolls placed in a three-foot frame.
Modified bitumen is a challenging but flexible insulation material that mixes asphalt with plastic or polymerized rubber and then reinforces the mix using fiberglass.
There are many advantages when using modified bitumen roofing, including that it is simple to replace or repair if the membrane has been damaged.
It is a great tool to fix dead valleys on the entire roof or even areas of a roof, making it an extremely adaptable solution to this frequent roofing issue.
It is not applicable just in dead valleys but also on all roofs.
4. Use of TPO and PVC
PVC and TPO are two other materials employed to construct shields. TPO and PVC are utilized to protect against water damage and backup.
TPO
TPO is Thermoplastic Polyolefin and is a white single-layer sheet. Since its white is not just a way to help keep water off the roof, it also reflects heat. It helps calm the inside of the room, which helps prevent leaks.
TPO roll roofing is less expensive to install and purchase, but they need to have the long-lasting appeal of modified bitumen roofs.
PVC.
In the PVC matrix, Pro Roofing will install an insulation block that has a felt or sheet beneath it. Pro Roofing could require replacing some or all or all of the surface. In other situations, the membrane is connected to the brick. In this situation, it’s necessary to cut off the lining of the brick. Once you’ve done that, there will be a puddle of water inside the valley. It won’t leak.
PVC is a little more durable and more flexible than TPO.
5. Install a custom-made flashing made of metal
Custom-designed metal flashings can be made of copper, stainless steel, lead, and many more. It can be beneficial for roof issues such as dead valleys.
In this situation, the valleys are created using the hems; however, they can also be secured without them.
They can be found in a range of colors like galvanized, coffee and white, stone gray, and more to improve the overall appearance of the valley on the roof.
Installing a metal pan will help stop the leak and allow the water to drain away from the surface.
What can I do to prevent dead valleys from developing on the roof?
Good home designers who know the concept of a roof and how water flows stay clear of dead bugs that could create problems later in their construction.
Dead valleys aren’t problems at all because they are simple to fix. However, if they are not set, it could lead to costly repairs or even replacement for the roofing.
Don’t let a dead valley break you down.
Final thoughts:
Dead valleys can be seen during building construction and can be sought out with proper care. However, these roof points caused by the accumulation of debris have severe problems for rainwater harvesting performance.
We can prevent these issues during construction until they are a problem and dealing with them becomes expensive.
Linkedin