Nail pops can lead to leaky roof sheathing if left unrepaired, so it is crucial that a professional roofer examines and repairs them as soon as possible.
Nail pops are typically caused by sudden temperature shifts that cause wood roof sheathing to expand, dislodging roofing nails from their posts and leading to nail pops in poorly ventilated attics.
1. Remove the Shingles
Every shingle must be securely fastened to the roof decking using multiple nails. For optimal results, roofing contractors typically employ long ring shank nails with rings around their shank to grip wood and prevent water infiltration.
Fluctuations in temperature can cause wood sheathing (the large wooden boards that cover rafters) to expand and contract, loosening nails from their sockets. Also, over time the rings on nail shanks may wear down or rust away, smoothening out their appearance and lifting the nail upwards.
Nail pops are one of the primary sources of problem for homeowners as they create an entryway for wind driven rain to enter beneath your shingles and into where your nails once stood, leading to sheathing rot and eventually water spots on your ceiling.
Many homeowners attempt to fix nail pops by simply hammering back in place, but this should never be done as this only offers temporary relief. Nail pops are an indicator that your roof may not be secure; for this reason it’s best to call in professional roof inspectors to inspect and suggest repairs for their roofs.
2. Replace the Nails
Nail pops are usually indicative of larger issues with your roof, whether due to ineffective nail driving techniques or failure of penetration of sheathing by nails. This is particularly evident when daylight can be seen around the nail head or there is an unexplained gap on one side of a nail hole that should not exist. Simply hammering or renailing this nail back in will only expose vulnerable spots for water penetration and leave one vulnerable for leakage.
Every asphalt roof consists of individual shingles secured to its sheathing with nails. Skilled roofing contractors typically utilize long ring shank nails with rings around their shank for grip and flat heads designed to seal against water infiltration. When these nails are improperly installed, moisture can seep into the wood sheathing and cause it to expand causing an upward push on a nail, leading to it to pop upwards causing an inevitable nail pop.
3. Apply Roof Sealant
Nail pops are unsightly but can also serve as an indicator that other parts of the roof are vulnerable to environmental stress and require repairs. Furthermore, nail pops could loosen and fall off in strong winds causing more serious problems with roofing shingles or loosening and blow off in severe storms.
Moisture can seep through wooden sheathing around shingle nails and cause it to expand, leading to swelling. Over time this causes rings on nail shanks to wear down over time allowing nails to slide upward over time. This often occurs with OSB or plywood sheathing, and sometimes when roofing was installed while sheathing was wet.
Every day and night, sheathing boards go through a heating and cooling cycle which causes them to expand and contract, placing pressure on the nails. Over time, this may cause them to loosen, eventually popping out altogether; leaving this untreated could result in ceiling leaks and water damage to your home.
4. Repair the Damage
Nail pops may seem like minor nuisances, but their damage can be severe. A nail that pokes through from wood sheathing and up can allow water to seep into the roof decking below and create an entryway for leakage into it.
moisture can seep into a roof over time and eventually cause leakage, or lead to major rot or leakage issues within your house. Furthermore, an opening in the roof opens the way for storm-generated shingle blowoff.
Nail pops are often caused by insufficient attic ventilation. Without enough ventilation, sheathing boards may swell and expand, forcing nails upward. Installing proper attic vents in soffits and ridges to reduce nail pops is crucial; nail pops indicate improper roofing materials or installation which are difficult to correct after the fact; an inspection can help identify such issues before they arise again in future.