Roof nails sticking up is often ignored, yet it could be an indicator of more serious issues. Left unattended, they could force roof shingles upward and create an entryway for wind-driven rain into your house.
Nail pops can result from poor quality roofing materials, nail gun misuse or improper sheathing installation. By taking steps to address these problems effectively and expediently, additional problems may be avoided in the future.
1. Remove the Shingles
Shingles are an integral component of a roof, offering protection from the elements while providing comfort. If it becomes necessary to remove old shingles from your roof, removal must be performed safely and efficiently in order to minimise hassle.
Removing sections of your roof doesn’t need to be complicated; all it requires are some basic tools and some time. If you are uncertain about your skillset, professional roofing companies are usually available.
Dependent upon your local building code and roof size, obtaining a permit might be required to remove your shingles. However, if you plan on doing it yourself make sure that you have access to appropriate equipment as well as being aware of any possible hazards on the roof.
Get started by working a large garden fork underneath ridge caps to pry them loose, before tossing them away or transporting them down your roof and depositing them at the edge for easy disposal later. As you progress down your roof removing 2- to 3-foot sections at a time.
Once the ridge caps have been removed, use your fork to pry up the shingles. Start at two or three foot intervals as they roll into balls, sliding your fork underneath each set before pushing towards roof jacks for removal.
If necessary, remove all the shingles from your roof until they have all been taken off. While this process can be laborious and time consuming, it’s crucial that this task be carried out meticulously and carefully.
To re-roof your house, it will first require you to remove old shingles and install new ones. There are various methods of doing this; one efficient one would be using a “shingle eater.”
This tool resembles a bear claw with teeth designed to pull nails out of shingles. While it is more labor-intensive, this solution proves more manageable and makes use of lesser movement than shovels or forks.
Once all the shingles have been removed, clean up any mess left by their removal. If your gutters are full of debris from shingle removal, also take this opportunity to clear them out. Additionally, renting a magnetic broom could come in handy to spot any nails that might be stuck in the grass.
2. Hammer the Nail Back in
Nail pops are a common problem in shingle roof systems. They appear as tent-shaped shingles and could indicate leakage issues; left unchecked, these nail pops could lead to water damage, mold growth, and structural damages to your roof system.
Nail pops may also be caused by moisture-related construction defects or using too short roofing nails to penetrate sheathing properly. To minimize this problem, it’s essential that fasteners be chosen wisely and shingles laid correctly in succession.
Popped-up nails may be repaired using adhesive sealer and hammer, though in extreme cases replacement of an entire shingle may be necessary.
To repair a nail pop, first take steps to unlatch the shingle using a crowbar and pin the protrusion with a hammer; this will keep it from dislodging itself and dropping onto your ceiling or other surfaces.
Once the nail has been secured in its place, apply half teaspoon of asphalt cement directly onto the hole under the shingle. Next, fold four by two inch rectangular regular 15 pound felt paper into a 2-by-2 square and press its crease directly over the nail shaft hole of the popped-up nail shaft.
Covering up the nail will cover it and seal it in place, as well as prevent wind-driven rain from penetrating the shingle, potentially leading to water spots on your ceiling or even puddles in your attic.
Fixing a nail pop in your roof may seem easy and can even be completed without professional services, but to prevent further damage to the roofing material it is recommended that you hire a roofing company with experience.
Your roofing professional should also be able to detect and address any other potential problems on your roof, so as to ensure nail pops don’t recur and you have a fully functional system in place.
3. Apply a Coat of Joint Compound
Nail pops can be an unsightly eyesore on any roof and also serve as an entryway for rain to enter, leading to leakage of rainwater into your home and potentially leading to sheathing rot and ceiling leakage as well as pools of moisture in your attic.
Doing the job right means using the appropriate type of joint compound; but make sure that when applying it you use one that suits the task at hand.
Setting-type, lightweight and all purpose are among the various types of joint compound available on the market today, each offering their own specific set of benefits and performance qualities.
Setting-type joint compound is designed for use with exterior ceilings containing gypsum board. Made with ingredients designed to shrink and bond to drywall, making this type of joint compound the most durable of the three available types.
Applying setting-type joint compound correctly requires following the manufacturer’s directions to create a strong bond between drywall and joint compound. Allow for drying time before adding another layer.
Apply the first coat around any nail holes and any small gaps to help prevent nails from popping again in the future. This will also serve to keep them strong.
After applying your first coat, allow two to four hours for it to dry completely before moving on with further coats. Warm temperatures and turning on fans may speed this process up while using a dehumidifier may help speed it along as well.
After your second coat has set, sand the retextured area to remove any scratches or imperfections in its surface – this step is particularly crucial if you plan on painting over your wall.
Make use of a wide feathering knife to add a thin layer of compound over the patched area and blend it seamlessly with surrounding walls, thus minimizing any risk of staining from its use. This will also decrease any chances of compound leakage into nearby rooms.
Finding the appropriate joint compound can be difficult, so if you have an especially large project to tackle on your own it may be worthwhile consulting a professional for advice.
4. Paint
Nail pops are one of the most commonly encountered roofing issues for homeowners, yet can often prove complex to repair. When detected early however, they’re typically straightforward and cost far less than left unattended.
Step one in dealing with roof nail pops is determining the source. If you don’t know, professional inspection is advised as they can pinpoint exactly where the issue lies and offer solutions to address it.
Nail pops can occur for various reasons, including improper installation or choosing the wrong nails. They may even become severe enough to necessitate costly repairs.
Outside of that, they can also serve as an indicator of other roof-related issues. For instance, many nail pops on your roof may indicate that its shingles aren’t securely fastened to its frame and cause further damage and leakage into your home.
Nailings on roofs often pop when their wood sheathing becomes damaged or worn down – this is most commonly found on older homes living in areas with severe climate conditions.
As sheathing deteriorates, it becomes less effective at keeping shingles in place and more nails get pushed back into it, eventually leading to nail pops on your roof.
Once a problem arises, it’s vitally important to address it immediately before it worsens and causes additional issues. Furthermore, it is a good idea to have your roof inspected so a professional can review its entire roof system for potential issues before any repairs take place.
As part of your roofing maintenance regimen, it is also essential that your system is adequately ventilated to reduce moisture accumulation and stop it wreaking havoc in your house. Otherwise, moisture could easily enter and cause issues like mold or mildew growth.
It may be necessary to replace the sheathing to address nail pops. In these circumstances, hiring a roofing contractor would be highly advantageous since they will possess both experience and the know-how required for safe completion of this task.