Roof nail pops may seem harmless at first, but they could signal leaks if not addressed immediately. They also can indicate improper installation or usage of nails too short for their location on the roof.
Nail pops occur when wood roof sheathing expands and contracts in response to daily temperature fluctuations, creating nail pops. To prevent leakage from your roof it is crucial to inspect it quickly and make repairs as soon as possible in order to make necessary repairs as soon as possible.
1. Remove the Shingles
POP! can seem harmless enough, but even minor nail pops can lead to leaks in roofing shingles. Without them securely attached by nails, moisture may seep into the sheathing of your roof and cause extensive damage that requires costly repairs.
Nail pops can result from many different sources, including daily temperature variations that shift wood structure and use of shorter nails than recommended for roofing applications. Furthermore, roof shingle nails may often be driven in without sufficient pressure being applied during their insertion to ensure good bonding with sheathing shearings.
Fixing nail pops is a relatively straightforward job for homeowners equipped with the proper tools and roofing knowledge. To repair nail pops, first remove any damaged shingles. If possible, enlist help from inside your attic or from someone observing from within to identify where the end of each nail can be reinserted; relocated it approximately an inch higher.
2. Relocate the Nails
Nail pops are protrusions found dotted throughout your walls and ceiling caused by nails that have worked their way through studs, protruding from them like sore thumbs. While not serious in nature, nail pops can be unsightly. A better solution would be using screws designed specifically to secure wood structures instead.
By giving the studs something to grip onto, this will reduce the likelihood of nails working their way out again and popping back out again. Furthermore, it provides a safer solution as nail pops can lead to leakage issues or mold growth within an attic space.
There can be numerous reasons for nail pops after installing a roof, including improper nail driving by your roofing contractor and nails being too short or with smooth shanks that don’t grip the sheathing properly.
3. Apply Asphalt Cement
Roof nail pops can be more than an aesthetic nuisance: left unattended, they could lead to holes in the shingles that cause leaks in your home and further compromise its integrity.
Nail pops are typically caused by improper installation or using nails that are too short, an issue commonly experienced when roofing over existing roofs and installers don’t know the appropriate lengths of nails for that roof type.
Poor-quality wood can also contribute to nail pops. Brittle and soft wood surfaces put extra stress on nails when driven against them, potentially breaking or splintering them, eventually loosening them over time and leading to nail pops.
Fixing nail pops can be quite straightforward. First, ensure that you use high quality asphalt shingle roofing cement. Next, apply a thin layer of cement over any holes or cracks – though be wary not to overfill as this could prevent proper water flow.
4. Reinstall the Shingles
Nail pops are an all too common roofing issue that can be caused by various sources. Storms and high winds can easily dislodge and lift standard shingles while temperature fluctuations cause nails to expand and contract, so proper ventilation must be maintained on your roof for best results.
Nail pops allow rainwater to seep under your shingle and into your nail hole, providing it with the opportunity to cause sheathing and framing rot, leading to leakage that eventually leads to water spots on your ceiling or even pools in your attic. If this situation goes untreated, these leaks could even result in water spots on ceilings or pools in attics if left unchecked.
Nail pops are usually an easy repair that you can do yourself to reduce roofer fees. Be sure to use waterproof roofing nails, applying asphalt cement after each new nail has been hammered in. In any event, nail pops should be addressed quickly to avoid further damage to your roof.