Guide
Valleys, skylights, and long roof runs on Saddle River custom homes
Written by Ultra Power Construction. The credentials page states that this contractor is licensed and insured in New Jersey and lists GAF and Owens Corning programs. Updated 2026-09-27.
Saddle River custom homes often have long valleys, several skylights, and chimneys wide enough to need a cricket. Those details fail before the open field of shingles does.
- Valleys carry more water than the field
- Skylights are a separate leak path
- Wide chimneys need a cricket
Valleys carry more water than the field
A long valley collects runoff from two planes. Open metal valleys and closed-cut shingle valleys behave differently in wind-driven rain. The inspection should say which type is there and whether the metal is pitted or the shingles are cut back too tight.
Skylights are a separate leak path
Curbed skylights leak at the saddle and the step flashing, not through the glass. Deck-mounted units leak where the flange meets underlayment. Count every unit. One skipped skylight is a callback on an otherwise new roof.
Wide chimneys need a cricket
A chimney wider than about 30 inches on the uphill side should shed water with a cricket, not a flat apron of flashing. Ask for the cricket, counterflashing, and valley metal as separate lines on the scope.