Project Overview
During a heavy, sustained downpour in Pegram, Tennessee, a homeowner discovered a rapidly expanding water stain on their living room ceiling that quickly turned into an active drip.
Worth Roofing Company dispatched an emergency response team immediately. We successfully secured the roof with heavy-duty tarping to stop the water intrusion, and returned the following day to execute a permanent, structural repair to the compromised roof valley.
The Roofing Challenge
The immediate challenge was the active rainfall. Permanent roofing repairs cannot be executed safely or effectively while it is raining, as the decking is slick and the sealants will not adhere properly.
The secondary challenge was the location of the leak. It was situated in a complex roof valley where two steep roof planes intersected. Valleys handle massive volumes of water runoff, making them highly susceptible to leaks if the underlying flashing fails.
Inspection Findings
Our emergency crew carefully accessed the roof and identified the failure point in the primary valley. The original installers had used a closed-cut valley method without installing a proper ice and water shield underneath.
Over time, the heavy water flow had eroded the asphalt shingles in the center of the valley, and water had eventually found its way through the standard felt underlayment, saturating the OSB decking below.
Recommended Roofing Solution
The immediate solution was emergency mitigation. We installed a heavy-duty waterproof tarp over the entire valley section, securing it firmly to the decking to prevent any further water from entering the home.
The permanent solution required dismantling the valley. We proposed removing the shingles on both sides of the valley, cutting out the rotted section of decking, installing a self-adhering ice and water shield, and rebuilding the valley using an open metal 'W' valley system for superior water shedding.
Installation Process
Emergency Tarping
We responded within hours to tarp the leaking valley, instantly stopping the water from destroying the living room ceiling.
Valley Dismantling
Once the weather cleared, we removed the tarp and carefully stripped the shingles away from the center of the valley.
Deck Replacement
We cut out the saturated, rotted OSB decking and secured a new, structurally sound wood panel in its place.
Upgraded Waterproofing
We lined the entire length of the valley with a premium ice and water shield, creating an impenetrable secondary barrier.
Metal Valley Installation
We installed a metal 'W' valley system and integrated the new shingles, providing a much more durable channel for heavy rain runoff.
Why This Was Appropriate
Emergency tarping was the only appropriate immediate response due to the active rain and the severity of the leak.
Rebuilding the valley with metal flashing and ice and water shield was necessary because the original installation method had proven inadequate for the volume of water the valley was channeling.
Common Questions
Project Details
- Heavy-duty emergency tarp and furring strips
- New OSB roof decking
- Self-adhering Ice and Water Shield
- Pre-painted metal 'W' valley flashing
- Matching architectural shingles
Benefits to Homeowner
- Prevented catastrophic interior damage to the living room drywall, flooring, and furniture.
- Fixed the root cause of the problem by upgrading the valley from a vulnerable closed-cut style to a highly durable open metal system.
- Restored the structural integrity of the roof deck by removing the rotted wood.
- Provided the homeowner with peace of mind during future heavy rainstorms.