Case Study:

Tile Roof Valley Maintenance

This series of pictures show several tile roofs that desperately needed attention in their valley areas. Varying amounts of dirt and debris get caught under the roof valley tiles, and end up blocking the roof valley drainage duct that runs under the valley tiles. If the water can't be directed down the valley, it ends up flowing across your roof, under the tiles.

You can avoid serious roof damage by having Baaron Keith Roofing make sure your roof valleys are clean under the tiles so water can flow off the roof instead of into your home. Contact BK Roofing today to schedule an inspection or estimate.

curved tiles are hiding dirt and debri in this roof valley

This is another situation where the condition of the roof valley under the tiles is not immediately apparent. Most people would never guess that this roof has serious water drainage problems.
a large amount of debris is uncovered with tiles removed

After a closer inspection of the valley area, it was determined that a problem did exist, so BK Roofing proceeded to remove the valley area tiles. The extent of the dirt, leaves, and various other debris can now be seen clearly on this curved tile roof.

Temporarily removing some tiles is necessary to clear away this amount of debris.
flat roof tiles trapping dirt and debris in the roof valley drainage duct

Roofs using flat cement tiles also need periodic maintenance in the roof valley to prevent clogged drainage troughs from causing roof damage. In this picture and the next, you can see exactly how the dirt, decomposing leaves, and other matter forms a mud-like substance under the valley tiles, and blocks the intended water drainage duct, forcing water to flow across the roof while still under the flat tiles.
a close up view of a blocked roof valley drainage duct

This close up view shows why the roof valley tiles must be lifted to thoroughly clean the roof valley, and restore the drainage capability.
cleaning the cement tile roof valley trough

Here, a couple piles of dirt on the valley drainage trough are about to be returned to "mother earth".
reinstalling the roof valley tiles after cleaning the metal duct

In this photo you can see again how the valley has been cleared of debris, some underlayment materials have been replaced, and the roof tiles are being put back in position.
high levels of debris blocking the roof valley drainage duct

Here is another cement tile roof with a clogged roof valley. Not only can you see the "mud" caught under the tiles, but you can also see the where the trapped water flowed under the tiles, and across the roof leaving a tell-tale moisture/dirt stain on the roof felt.
a clean roof valley metal channel directs water flow off the roof

New roof valley metal with raised ribs to enhance water control, maintain the gap, and support the tiles has been installed on this roof.

In this shot you get a good view of the space between the tiles and the metal drainage trough where water must be able to flow to get it off the roof without causing problems. This is the space that tends to get clogged with debris after a period of time.

New roof valley metal with raised ribs to enhance water control, maintain the gap, and support the tiles has been installed on this roof.

In this shot you get a good view of the space between the tiles and the metal drainage trough where water must be able to flow to get it off the roof without causing problems. This is the space that tends to get clogged with debris after a period of time.

Avoid serious roof damage. Have Baaron Keith Roofing make sure your roof valleys are clean under the tiles so water can flow off the roof instead of into your home. Contact BK Roofing today to schedule an inspection or estimate.

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of the Better Business Bureau

Fix known problems promptly. Repairing damaged and loose shingles or tiles before leaks are detected can ultimately save you serious money. Damaged roof tiles or shingles over time, will eventually expose the underlying water barrier (felt). Once the felt is exposed to the sun, it won't take much longer for this area to "burn" out, and in a relatively short time, you can have water leaking into interior structures. As with many things in life, having a known problem corrected promptly can prevent it from turning into a bigger, more expensive problem later, and this surely applies to the roof on your house.
Keep your roof and gutters clear of debris. Many roof problems start when leaves, pine needles, and other debris accumulates in the valleys and lower areas of your roof. This leads to excess moisture and in some cases, rain water is prevented from flowing off efficiently, and can even get under the shingles and deteriorate the wood sheathing.
Tread lightly. Some roof types are quite susceptible to damage by simply walking on the roof in the wrong way, or with a "heavy foot". Contractors installing satellite dishes or solar collectors can unknowingly cause roof damage while installing their equipment. Cement tile roofs and cedar shakes are prone to this type of damage. The result can be cracked and loosened tiles or shakes which can now shift out of position over time.
Quality and Workmanship Counts. Whenever work is planned for your roof, make sure that your contractor is using high quality materials and methods, and most of all, select a contractor that has a reputation for high quality workmanship. Too many times, workers have been known to cut corners in an effort to save themselves time or money, which ends up costing the homeowners much more when the roof fails prematurely.