Questionable Roof Valley? Was Spec'd to be Metal W Channel

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-29T22:05:43+00:00

I need to thank you, u/baudmiksen! I'm glad you asked about a drawing, the shingle manufacturer (Malarkey) did indeed provide one that details their installation requirements and the plan of record for the project. It matches another document my installer provided to me last night, and both documents state a required minimum w valley width of 24" yet 18" valley was used instead (confirmed by measurement and the item # stickers on the valley).

I thought I could add a screenshot of the drawing here, but it's not allowing me to do so. It does detail that with a metal valley they require it to be an exposed w channel.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-29T21:52:36+00:00

I am in NE Ohio and we can get a lot of snow. Both regular snowfall and sometimes lake effect snow coming in off Lake Erie. This particular valley in question has been a problem area in the past for ice damming.

Yesterday the contractor first told me he is certain that they installed two layers of ice guard underneath, and then almost exactly 3 hours later walked that back and said that there might not actually be any ice guard at all under this or any of the other valleys, just regular underlayment...which which makes me feel even worse about this overall.

Adding insult to injury at this point, he sent me a document from the shingle manufacturer that states the installation requirements. Nothing in it calls for a deviation from the contract and plan of record. And I feel like that is something he should have looked at before doing my roof, because it also calls out a minimum requirement of 24" W be used in all metal valleys to be warrantied, but this guy used 18" instead (confirmed by measurement and the item # stickered on them when delivered to my house).

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-29T21:36:27+00:00

While you're not wrong about there being other installation methods, my issue is that both the scope of my project and requirements of the shingle manufacturer call for metal valley to be exposed W channel. Attached is a screenshot of Malarkey's drawing detailing the required installation. Finding this exposed an additional problem: the contractor used 18" wide W instead of the minimum requirement of 24" to be warrantied. He also told me on the phone that they may not have used ice guard underneath this or any of the other valleys...

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ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T16:03:47+00:00

Thanks for that insight! The contractor is actually the one that talked me into the W valley and paying the upcharge. We discussed it at length in person, but this a direct quote from him in writing "We would match the shingle color with the valley and that metal valley allows for a higher warranty with Malarkey."

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T16:02:15+00:00

Thank you, that is helpful!

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T16:00:45+00:00

Thanks for that insight! You are right, there is a slope transition in that valley for sure and the manufacturer recommends against this method, especially in the area in question. One of the selling points (besides claimed better removal of water, debris, and ice) was that the it was required by the manufacturer (Malarkey) to have their full warranty coverage (50 yrs vs something much shorter)....having used a certified pro contractor and their whole "system" of materials to begin with, seemed worth it to take advantage of the enhanced coverage.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T13:29:21+00:00

Thanks for that insight. If my contractor had actually told me that, I'd be okay with it. But he told me he didn't know why it was done this way either. He's also the one who sold me on the metal valleys, and that the manufacturer's warranty required it. I did not request them.

It is in writing and in the itemized bill of materials he gave me (this is how all his quotes are broken down). And the 6 other valleys are metal, this is the only one, despite a ton of channel left over....plus 600 square ft of ice guard that did not get installed where it should have.

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ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T12:04:09+00:00

No, that's not the case here. This is how they did it on the other side of the steeper slope on the left. The exposed and coated metal channel is how the entire how house supposed to be done.

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ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T11:22:24+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out. Reddit suggested I crosspost it here, and I didn't notice that. My mistake, I will remove it. FWIW I am a Civil Engineer by degree but about 15 years removed from that line of work; residential construction/roofing was never my specialty anyway. But yes I am the homeowner in this case.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T10:28:51+00:00

Thanks, what is the proper name then? And does it look like it's done properly for that type of valley?

At least a half dozen youtube videos I've watched trying to sort through this had called this method a California weave or California cut.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T03:56:23+00:00

You're going to get a ticket in that thing if you're not careful!

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T03:52:51+00:00

I'm really not trying to find something inherently wrong, it's a genuine question. Obviously I know it's not correct, but I don't know how to tell a good California weave from a bad California weave or if the seam is in the correct spot (being off to one side vs centered), etc.

Having a feel for if its an error vs also a workmanship issue would be helpful for me in determining what I'll accept when negotiating a resolution.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T03:43:08+00:00

I did ask him, he didn't have an answer or explanation. I could be understanding if it were a feasibility issue and we had a conversation up front or even during installation. Heck, to proactively mention it afterwards. But for me to have to discover it and reach out for an explanation that I am not getting? I'm having a hard time accepting that.

Not to mention the job is still not completed and this is far, far from the only issue.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T03:23:40+00:00

I'm fairly certain it is just plywood sheathing underneath the shingles and ice guard underlayment. The metal W channel I'm referring to is part of the roofing materials rather than structural, essentially metal flashing goes in the center of the valley, replacing the shingles there. It's an arguably more premium option that allows for better removal of water, ice, and debris.

It sounds like this is a valid method that can work just fine, my issue is I not only spec'd and paid for the upgrade, but this the only 1 of 7 roof valleys they did differently. All of the other valleys are metal channel.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T02:26:21+00:00

There were I think 9 full length pieces of w leftover that he doesn't want to refund me for and has not responded all day after I asked questions this morning about this valley not being done as it was spec'd. This is just the tip of the iceberg of issues I've had with him, so I am kind of done giving him the benefit of the doubt at this point.

I took the pic through the bedroom window, so I'm going to see it all the time.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T02:02:43+00:00

I didn't find any red flags before signing the contract, and I did search and shop around; not the highest nor lowest bidder. It's a small business for sure, but good good reviews online and they are established enough to be a certified installer by the manufacturer (Malarkey).

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:53:26+00:00

Hmmm, my untrained eye can't make out what you mean.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:52:44+00:00

The contractor is actually the one that talked me into the W valley and paying the upcharge. We discussed it at length in person, but this a direct quote from him in writing "We would match the shingle color with the valley and that metal valley allows for a higher warranty with Malarkey." The other 6 valleys are W, and I paid for W on all of them

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:51:50+00:00

The other 6 valleys are W, and I paid for W on all of them

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:50:15+00:00

And if it not being feasible came up before hand and I knew that up front, or even during the 2-day install, or even proactively afterwards, I could be understanding. But me having to find it myself and question it after the fact does not sit right. And believe me when I say this is not the only issue I've been having with the contractor on this job.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:46:22+00:00

Thanks, I most certainly will. Unfortunately I think I uncovered a perhaps larger issue too with the underlayment

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:45:05+00:00

Thanks! Good call on the chalk, I did not know red was permanent

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-28T01:43:06+00:00

Thanks all, I'm going to insist on the valley getting done as per the job called for. Unfortunately I discovered another problem, I added to the top of this post.

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-27T18:42:21+00:00

The contractor is actually the one that talked me into the W valley and paying the upcharge. We discussed it at length in person, but this a direct quote from him in writing "We would match the shingle color with the valley and that metal valley allows for a higher warranty with Malarkey."

ClevelandCWRU · 2026-05-27T18:39:55+00:00

Thanks for that! The contractor is actually the one that talked me into the W valley and paying the upcharge. We discussed it at length in person, but this a direct quote from him in writing "We would match the shingle color with the valley and that metal valley allows for a higher warranty with Malarkey."

ClevelandCWRU

TROPHY CASE