How to Fill in Bad Roof Valleys

As roofs age, one of the first places leaks occur is in a valley. The breakdown of the valleys occurs for several reasons – from the shingle’s age, debris buildup or improper nail placement. Whatever the reason, many times a minor repair is possible without calling a professional to have the valley shingles completely replaced. Clean the valleys, check for leaks and replace or repair any shingles to prevent interior water damage.

Work gloves
Garbage bag
Crowbar
Shingles
Roofing nails
Roofing cement

Instructions

- 1
  Slip on a pair of work gloves and clear all the leaves and debris from the roof’s valleys. Bring a garbage bag along with you on the roof to throw all the refuse away.
- 2
  Examine the shingles for any wear and tear. Take this opportunity to decide if the shingles require replacement or repair. Any shingles that are severely damaged or torn will require replacement. Replace the damaged shingles by first carefully lifting the shingles directly above the damaged ones to access the roofing nails. Pull out the nails with a crowbar and scrape off any loose roofing cement.
- 3
  Slip a replacement shingle into place and secure it to the top corners with roofing nails. Cover the nails with a layer of roofing cement. Carefully place the lifted shingles back into place. If the shingles only require repair, move to the next step.
- 4
  Flatten any loosened or curled shingles with your gloved hand. Apply a heavy layer of roofing cement to the shingles. The roofing cement fills in the space between the shingle and roof pan, preventing water leakage and damage.

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