A Valley Gutter Is Critical to Protect Your Roof
A valley gutter is a flashing system installed in roof valleys to direct rainwater safely into the main gutter system, preventing leaks and water damage. When most people think of gutter systems, they likely envision the gutters that run along the edge of a home’s roof—after all, this is the most visible portion.
However, those gutters are only one part of the picture. For example, while you may not see the valley gutter (or gutters) on your roof, their role is essential for preventing leaks and issues from rainwater. As a leading Omaha gutter company, our team at Anchor Roofing designs and installs seamless gutter systems to protect homes throughout Omaha and the surrounding areas. These gutter systems include not just the gutters you see every day, but also ones you may never have known about.
To help homeowners better understand the parts of their roof, we’re sharing more about the valley gutter, including what it is, how these gutters are designed, and their role in protecting your home.
What Is a Valley Gutter?
A valley gutter describes a section of flashing that is installed along the valley of a roofing system. These valleys are formed where one slope of the roof meets another, and they’re a natural point for rainwater to flow through. Valley gutters protect this section of your roof, turning what could be a vulnerability into part of the roof’s drainage system.
Why Are Valley Gutters Important?
Because of the shape of the roof valley, it’s not really possible for shingles alone to prevent rainwater from reaching the underlying sections of your roof. Without a valley gutter, this would lead to rainwater seeping past shingles and accumulating against the underlayment or even the decking of a roof. The result would be rotting underlayment and roof decking, eventually leading to major leaks.
With a valley gutter, however, this vulnerable portion of your roof is protected from rainwater. Rather than seeping into the seam created at the valley between slopes, rainwater instead flows downward, typically into your main gutter system.
Valley Gutter Types: Closed vs. Open
Valley gutters may use one of two typical designs: open or closed. Another way to think about these designs is either “exposed” or “concealed.”
Open Valley Gutters:
- Visible from the ground
- Allow higher water volume
- More prone to debris buildup
Some homeowners dislike the appearance
Closed Valley Gutters:
- Hidden under roofing materials
- Less visible but harder to access
- May require more expert maintenance
Valley Gutter Maintenance Practices
Like any gutter system on your home, valley gutters must be regularly maintained in order to function properly. Poorly maintained valley gutters can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Water damage or roof leaks
- Overflow of rainwater
- Accumulating moisture, potentially leading to ice dams
To keep valley gutters working as they should, it’s important to complete regular maintenance on them. Unfortunately, this is often harder than maintaining your main gutter system, as valley gutters are more difficult to access (particularly if they use a closed design).
Typically, it’s best to rely on a company offering professional gutter services to maintain valley gutters on your roof. A gutter expert will perform routine maintenance on your valley gutters, including cleaning, inspections, and preventive repairs to ensure rainwater continues to flow where it should.
Anchor Roofing: Omaha’s Gutter Expert
At Anchor Roofing, our gutter division offers a full selection of gutter services to protect your roof and your property from issues with rainwater. Our maintenance services cover not just your main gutters, but your entire drainage system—including valley gutters, downspouts, and more. We can also install leaf and gutter guards to protect your gutters from clogs due to excessive debris.
Whether you need care for your valley gutters or you’re interested in a full replacement with a custom-designed seamless gutter system, our team is standing by to get started. Reach out to Anchor Roofing today or call us at (402) 403-9491.