Vapor Barrier

More roofing & materials terms

• Valley

  A valley is the inside angle where two roof slopes meet, and it carries water from both planes, making it a common leak point. In a claim, photograph the valley metal or woven method and note rust, granule loss and debris, since carriers often question replacing a valley that shows only partial damage.

• Valley flashing

  Metal installed in the valleys where two roof planes meet, directing water down and off the roof.

• Ventilation

  The intake-and-exhaust system that keeps the attic cool and dry, required by code in most areas.

• Wear Pattern

  A wear pattern is the gradual deterioration that age, sun and foot traffic leave across a roof, unlike the random or directional marks a storm leaves. Adjusters use it to separate maintenance from storm damage, so photograph whole slopes, not just the worst spots, or your claim can be read as normal aging.

• Weathering vs Damage

  Weathering is the gradual breakdown of a roof from sun, rain and temperature swings, while damage is a distinct event such as hail or wind. The two look alike, so a claim leans on the date of loss, matching damage on other slopes and test squares, because carriers argue weathering where the evidence is thin.

• Wind damage

  Roofing damage from wind uplift, lifted shingles, exposed nail heads, and torn flashing.

Common questions