[0001] This specification relates to valley sections for roofs. A valley section is used
where two parts of a pitched roof converge downwardly to meet at a valley. The valley
section is used along the line of intersection, underneath the level of the tiles,
slates or other roof covering elements on the roof, so as to provide a waterproof
barrier and channel water down the roof to e.g. a gutter at the eaves. Traditional
roof constructions have used metal sheet such as lead, or special trough tiles, for
this purpose, but in recent years there has been increased use of pre-formed valley
sections of extruded plastics or the like which are supplied in lengths of, say, 3m.
The sections are cut to the length required and two or more lengths can be used where
needed, overlapping by a suitable distance. Known valley sections are of generally
V or U cross-section and are nailed to longitudinal "counter battens" running along
the sides of the valley.
[0002] One problem with known systems using valley sections is that of securing the roofing
battens which support the tiles or the like and run down the roof on both sides of
the valley, to the respective counter battens. The roofing battens will be secured
to the last roof rafter before the valley but the free ends may be capable of significant
movement. To avoid this, it is know to nail the roofing battens to the counter battens.
However, the nails must be driven in at an angle since the top surfaces of the two
battens are generally at the same level where they meet. This is therefore an unwieldly
operation.
[0003] There is disclosed herein an arrangement for a roof system where two portions meet
at a valley, in which a valley section is provided along the valley and in which roofing
battens extend down the roof towards the valley, laterally with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the valley section, and in which the valley section has adjacent each of its
edges, longitudinally extending portions which support the free ends of the roofing
battens. Thus, the valley section not only provides the conventional function, but
also supports the roofing battens, so avoiding the requirement for nailing them at
an angle to a counter batten or the like.
[0004] It is also proposed to deal with the problems associated with the use of mortar
or the like, by avoiding its use in a "dry fixing" system. Thus, in the system disclosed
herein there are provided longitudinally extending upstands provided on either side
of the valley underlying the free ends of roof tiles, or other roof covering members,
so as at least partially to close the space between the tiles or the like, and the
body of the valley section.
[0005] In AU-B-577132 there is disclosed a pre-formed valley section for use in a roof in
which two portions meet at a valley, the valley section comprising a trough, longitudinally
extending, vertically projecting upstands either side of the trough, to underlie roof
covering elements, and flanges extending laterally outwardly from the upstands, the
flanges having portions for receiving the free ends of laterally extending battens
for supporting the roof covering elements.
[0006] In a conventional type of roof which may have wooden battens and profiled tiles,
such an arrangement may have certain shortcomings.
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is characterised in that the flanges of the valley
section include recesses laterally outward from and adjacent the upstands.
[0008] The recesses will be below the level of the roofing battens which rest on the flange
portions. This has a number of advantages. Firstly, there is a distinct channel adjacent
each upstand, for carrying away any water that may penetrate into this region, and
a reduced chance of such water passing laterally along the flange and into the roof
space. Secondly the battens, which are typically of wood, are free of any such water
and this reduces the tendency for them to rot. Thirdly, at least in some embodiments
there may be improved circulation of air which is advantageous inter-alia for the
drying out of moisture. A further advantage is in relation to the problem of providing
an effective closure of any space between the upstand and the tiles, since gaps may
occur. Such gaps could be closed using fillers, particularly apertured fillers allowing
for ventilation. A preferred type of filler is a flexible "comb" filler with flexible,
spaced portions that will adapt to the underneath profile of the tiles and yet allow
for ventilation. Such fillers can be disposed laterally outwardly of, but preferably
adjacent, the upstands.
[0009] The provision of the recesses means that the fillers can have portions located underneath
the battens and downwardly spaced from them. This enables positioning of the fillers
after the battens have been secured in place, which is advantageous.
[0010] The upstands may or may not pass over counter battens and it is not necessary to
have counter battens.
[0011] The battens may rest on flat portions of the flange laterally outwardly of the recesses.
Such flat portions may be in the form of ramps inclined upwardly from the edges to
the recesses so as to provide a gradual raising of the ends of the battens. Alternatively
the battens may rest on one or more discrete longitudinally extending ribs. Such a
rib may define the edge of the recess. Where e.g. two laterally spaced ribs are provided,
the outermost may be less high than the inner, thus also providing for a gradual raising
of the ends of the battens.
[0012] A further problem with known valley sections is that they are secured to the counter
battens by e.g. nailing or the like, but then tend to be suspended across the valley.
This lack of support presents problems of stability, strength and so forth. It is
thus a preferred feature of the systems disclosed herein that the sections be supported
on the roof rafters, which converge to the axis of the valley, across a substantial
portion of their width. The valley sections are preferably nailed or the like to the
roof rafters, or the counter battens, laterally outwardly (away from the valley axis)
of the ends of the tiles, i.e. at a region protected from water so that piercing of
the section by the nails will not present problems. The section is preferably pre-formed
to a certain angle of intersection and/or of certain flexibility characteristcs, that
it will rest on the rafters (with or without the interposition of other material such
as roofing felt), across the main, exposed part of the valley without the use of nails
or the like in this region.
[0013] The invention also extends to a roof incorporating a valley section in accordance
with the invention.
[0014] Two embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a diagramatic cross section of a roof valley using a first embodiment of
the valley section;
Fig. 2 is a view of a flexible "comb" filler used in the system of Fig. 1; and
[0015] Fig. 3 is a second embodiment of the valley section.
[0016] In Fig. 1 there is shown a tiled roof system in which two portions converge downwardly
to a valley 1. Each portion has wooden roof rafters 2 on which are mounted laterally
extending wooden tiling battens 3. Underneath the battens, on the rafters, is a layer
of roofing felt 4. Resting on the tiling battens are conventional interlocking concrete
roof tiles 5, which terminate short of the centre of the valley 1, and are cut to
the angle of the valley, i.e. up the roof parallel to the axis of the valley.
[0017] An extruded, elongate plastics valley section 6, preformed to substantially the angle
of the valley between the rafters, is provided underneath the tiles 5 and across the
valley 1. In cross section, the valley section 6 has "U" or "V" shaped trough portion
7 extending between the side ends of the tiles 5 and mainly resting on the rafters;
longitudinal upstands 8; and outer, laterally extending flange portions 9 resting
on the rafters and on which rest the free ends of tiling battens 3. The outer edges
of the flange portions 9 are nailed to the rafters 2, as shown at 10.
[0018] Of course, where the valley sections are said to rest on the rafters this applies
only to portions spaced along the length of the sections, since the rafters are spaced
apart along the valley.
[0019] The side ends of tiles 5 rest on the upstands 8. These upstands take the place of
counter battens and their upper surfaces match the upper surfaces of tiling battens
3. Spaced outwardly of the upstands 8 are fillers 11 which are compressed under the
tiles 5. As shown in Fig. 2, each filler 11 comprises a "comb" like arrangement of
spaced plastics flexible fingers 12, which close the spaces between the tile and the
valley section, but permit ventilation.
[0020] The flange portions 9 of the valley section are provided with longitudinally extending,
laterally spaced, ridges 13 and 14 on which rest the free end portions of tiling battens
3. The inner ridges i3 are taller than the outer ridges 14. This provides a gradual
lifting of the ends of the battens 3. Between each inner ridge 13 and its associated
upstand 8 there is provided a recess 15. The end of the roof batten is clear from
the base of this recess and, furthermore, does not quite reach the wall of the upstand
8. Each filler 11 has a base 16 which fits in the recess 15. The arrangement is such
that the valley section and roofing battens 3 can be nailed in place, before the filler
11 is inserted into the recess 15 with the base 16 under the end of battens 3, and
the tiles then placed in position. This is advantageous when constructing the roof.
The filler 11 is located in position and additional fixing may not be needed.
[0021] The preformed angle of the valley section 6 is such that it can be flexed in either
direction to fit conventional valley angles. However, it would be possible to provide
a system in which the valley section would only be flexed to roof pitches below the
pre-formed shape, since this would facilitate the adaptation of the valley section
to the configuration of the rafters on which it should rest. In this case, to cope
with a wider range of roof pitches, it may be necessary to provide a plurality of
valley sections, preformed to different angles so as to cope with the full range from
shallow to steep pitches, whilst only ever deforming the chosen section in one direction
away from its preformed configuration.
[0022] It will further be noted that the valley section provides a relatively deep pre-formed
channel across the middle section of the valley. With this arrangement it is possible
to provide the valley section with an improved cross section. As shown in Fig. 3,
this cross section is curved smoothly across the central portion 17 of valley section
18. It is a generally parabolic curve, formed by blending curves of two different
radii. which has the optical effect of concealing the size of the space betwwen the
undersider of the tile and the valley. This shape also has the advantage in that it
encourages a self cleaning action and provides an effective flow of water down the
valley. It is also more susceptible to easy flexing to lower roof pitches.
[0023] The cross section of this portion 17 is obtained in practice by use of blending arcs
using three centres A, B and C. Centres A and B are equally spaced either side of
the centre line E of the valley section, and the associated arcs have a radius of
100 mm. Centre C is on the line E and the associated arc has a radius of 40 mm.
[0024] In this embodiment of the valley section the flanges are also different. In place
of two longitudinal ribs to support the battens, the battens will rest flat on portions
19 which are inclined gradually upwardly to the edges of recesses 20 between the ends
of these portions 19, and the upstands 21 in this embodiment. The installation and
use of this valley section will be the same as for the previous embodiment.
[0025] The invention provides an effective valley arrangement without the need for mortar.
However, the valley section could be used with mortar. In such circumstances portions
such as the upstands could be roughened to enhance the adhesion of mortar.
1. A pre-formed valley section for use in a roof in which two portions meet at a valley
(1), the valley section comprising a trough (7), longitudinally extending, vertically
projecting upstands (8) either side of the trough to underlie roof covering elements
(5), and flanges (9) extending laterally outwardly from the upstands for receiving
the free ends of laterally extending battens (3) for supporting the roof covering
elements (5), characterised in that the flanges (9) of the valley section include
recesses (15) laterally outward from and adjacent the upstands (8).
2. A valley section as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the inner walls of
the upstands (8) form part of the trough (7) of the valley section.
3. A valley section as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the roofing
battens (3) have their free end parts resting on longitudinally extending ridges (13,14)
provided on the flanges outwardly of the upstands (8).
4. A valley section as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the recesses (15)
are provided between the ridges (13) and upstands (8).
5. A valley section as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the roofing battens
(3) have their free end parts resting flat on inclined portions (19) of the flanges
outwardly of the upstands (21).
6. A valley section as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the recesses (20)
are formed between the end of the inclined portions (19) and the upstands (21).
7. A valley section as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the recesses
(15;20) are adapted to receive portions (16) of fillers (11) to assist in closing
spaces between the roof covering members (5) and the body of the valley section.
8. A valley section as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the fillers (11)
can be positioned in the recesses (15;20) after the roofing battens (3) and valley
section have been secured in place on a roof.
9. A roof incorporating a valley provided with a valley section as claimed in any
preceding claim.
10. A roof as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that mortar is not used in the construction
of the valley.