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Roofing

Leak at the bottom of valley after being repaired

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.43 PM

I have a leak in the corner of a bedroom, where the valley of an extension ends. I had it repaired a 2 years back where they applied mortar and covered the flashing with bitumen and this held up for about 2 years. It started leaking again and I had 3 quotes, ranging from £200 for repointing and cleaning gutters to £2200 to replace the tiles/flashing and re-do the entire valley since they said it was a botched job to start with. We went for the middle quote of £500 to repoint the valley and coat the flashing in a fiberglass resin. This job took no more than 2 hours and it started leaking as soon as we got some heavy rain a week later. My question is what can we do in this situation? We've asked the contractor to come back but considering we paid them £500 for a job that had zero effect on fixing the original problem, I don't have much faith. This is in Yorkshire, on a stone house.

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5 Answers

CM Plumbing

Rating: 5 out of 5

Alloa

I'm afraid that sticking things over what is already there and leaking is like putting a sticking plaster on a wound. It might help for a while, but it won't be a long term solution. I assume that your valley is lead? If so, there are very strict guidelines for fitting lead properly. Lead has a different expansion rate to bitumen and other materials and must be allowed to move freely, or it will crack and fail. Leadwork done properly will last and protect the building for many years. Contact an approved contractor in your area from the Lead Sheet Association. As to the company that fibreglassed the valley, I hope that they removed the tiles/slates covering its edges and took the fibreglass all the way up and under them, before refixing the slates/tiles back into the valley. Any reputable company will return and assist you if there's a problem. Personally, I'd spend a bit of money and have it done right through an approved Lead Sheet Contractor.

Answered6 June 2019

Anonymous user

No it’s probably the felt if there is any which has holes in As if it’s driving rain it will push through roof covering and then it’s felts job to carry water to gutter if felt has holes it can’t do this

Answered9 June 2019

Anonymous user

Hi only using a good roofer for the work

Answered8 June 2019

Roy & Sons Roofing Contractors

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Cirencester

If the Valley has not been put in correctly then it’s going to leak I would also take and look at the tiling the ridge and the under felting.

Answered11 June 2019

Anonymous user

Unfortunately the company that have applied fiberglass to your lead valley have now caused more problems, fiberglass can NOT be applied to lead, lead needs to be able to move with the changes in temperature and applying fiberglass to it will prevent this causing the lead to split as it tries to expand. Also a valley should never just be pointed over a thin layer of morter is useless as the first frost will cause it to crack and fall off the tiles should be lifted out and rebedded with morter properly to create a solid thick wall off cement to stop driving rain ingressing. Its hard to say what the cause of the leak is without seeing it but the company who have charged you £500 for the work they have done clearly have no idea what they are doing and shouldn't be anywhere near a roof.

Answered8 April 2021