Nail pops may appear cosmetic, but they can lead to leaks if left unrepaired. They’re caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity which cause wood sheathing (plywood, OSB or drywall) to expand and contract over time.
To deal with nail pops effectively, homeowners should hire a professional roofer for an inspection and repairs as necessary. By taking preventative steps now, these measures could save both money and headaches in the future.
Remove the Shingles
Nail pops can expose your roof to environmental stresses that could eventually cause more serious damage, as well as open a hole through which water could enter your home, which makes it essential to quickly identify and address nail pops.
Nail pops are caused by moisture seeping into shingle nails and sheathing beneath, causing wood sheathing to expand and force nails upward. Over time, rings around nail shanks wear down over time causing nails to be forced upward by rain and snow, leading to leakage that damages sheathing and framing over time. To avoid nail pops altogether it is wise to invest in high-quality roofing materials tailored specifically for your climate and install them correctly as well as consulting professional roofers as these professionals are equipped with tools, industry knowledge, expertise to avoid roof damage as well as ensure compliance with building codes.
Remove the Nails
Nail pops may appear minor at first, but they often portend much larger issues with your roof. Addressing them quickly can save both money and prevent interior damage that requires costly repairs in the future.
Roof nail pops often result from improper installation techniques or not penetrating through the decking completely, but they may also be due to temperature and humidity fluctuations which cause wood to expand and contract over time.
Nail pops can often be identified by their tent-like rise above the shingles or by looking for holes where the nail popped through, such as looking for where it came through the shingle and then popping back out again. Once identified, remove any affected shingles and hammer in new nails with ring shanks so you can pull them with tools other than hammers – this will prevent impaling yourself on them when pulling them out.
Repair the Shingles
Once the nail has become loose, insert a piece of wood (such as a paint stirring stick ) between it and the underside of the shingle above to protect both as you use your mallet to strike lightly against it. This will protect both materials.
Make use of the flat edge of a pry bar to carefully untie and separate tabs holding individual shingles in place and pull it away from its neighbors. Loosen nails and adhesive strips on two courses above it as well, to be certain all fasteners have been removed from that shingle.
Roof nail pops may seem minor at first, but left unchecked they can quickly lead to small leaks and damages to roofing materials over time. Preventing them requires using high-quality materials with proper installation methods – nail pops may even occur in older homes if sheathing was improperly installed! Nail pops are more common among newly built homes but can occur even in houses built years earlier when sheathing was not installed correctly.
Seal the Shingles
Nail pops are an indicator of roof damage and should be addressed immediately. Untreated nail holes will eventually leak rainwater into your home and create leakage points which lead to leaks leaking rainwater into it, eventually rotted sheathing or ceiling spots as a result of this type of rainwater infiltration.
Although it might seem tempting, simply hammering the nails back in will expose them to the elements and could pose a tripping hazard for anyone walking on your roof.
Applying roofing cement to fill nail holes is often the superior option, available from most home improvement stores at relatively inexpensive costs. But first make sure that before climbing onto your roof (securing it with ladder and wearing appropriate footwear like safety shoes or boots with traction), any remaining popped nails must be removed by means of scraping them off before applying sealant sealant sealant sealant sealant sealant sealant sealant.