Roof nail pops force shingles upward, creating holes through which rainwater can seep into and rot the sheathing beneath, leading to ceiling leaks and structural damage.
Nail pops can be caused by various factors, including temperature shifts, improper installation techniques or natural wear-and-tear on sheathing over time. Here’s how you can resolve them.
Find the Nail
Nail pops are visible humps that form at the peak of your roof or when performing bi-annual roof inspections. Unfortunately, nail pops allow water under your shingle shingles to get underneath and damage decking boards; left unaddressed they could even lead to roof leakage!
Nails used to secure shingles are driven into wood roof sheathing with nails driven into them. Over time, fluctuating temperatures cause this sheathing to expand and contract, placing stress on nails used to secure them and gradually loosen them until they break off of the sheathing altogether. This constant movement may eventually cause them to back out completely from under the sheathing altogether.
Nail pops are an expensive roof problem that must be taken seriously to avoid more extensive and expensive roof repairs. To address them quickly and prevent further damage to your roof, repair any damaged areas quickly before applying waterproof sealant over them – DIY fixes such as driving nails back into their holes are no long-term solutions and could void your warranty!
Remove the Nail
Daily, your roof experiences cycles of heating and cooling that make its sheathing boards expand and contract, forcing their nails that secure shingles upward. This may happen for various reasons such as:
Improper nailing. Experienced roofing contractors use long, ring shank nails with rings that grip wood and a flat head to secure shingles properly, creating a seal between it and the shingle that resists water seepage during rainstorms. Any nails driven in incorrectly won’t create this seal properly and could allow water to seep underneath during rainfall.
Sheathing may also have sustained damage over time and become soft in places, no longer holding nails securely in place. This could happen as a result of leakage in your roof; caulking won’t fix this problem and could actually lead to interior damages like mold growth; therefore addressing roof nail pops promptly will ensure both you and your investment remain protected.
Repair the Nail
Every asphalt roof consists of individual shingles attached to the roof decking with nails. Ideally, roofers use long ring shank nails that feature grip rings for better grasp and flat heads to prevent water infiltration; however if wood sheathing sustains damage or soft spots form due to moisture intrusion, sheathing nails could begin pushing upward under wind driven rainstorms, pushing them away from their attachment points and forcing up through your roofing material.
Roof nail pops can be a serious hazard if not addressed immediately and correctly. When nails lift up and allow rain into their original holes beneath a shingle, it leaves an opening for rainwater penetration that could result in leakage, leading to rot or even significant roof leaks if left unrepaired. Therefore, nail popping should be considered an indicator of improper installation; and one way of fixing nail popping would be removing and driving back a replacement nail into place while sealing this repair with roofing cement.
Seal the Repair
Nail pops occur when nails become dislodged from their wooden sheathing and protrude through. As soon as nail pops appear, it must be addressed immediately in order to prevent water penetration under singles and wind driven rain infiltration through holes created by popped nails.
There can be numerous factors contributing to nail pops. Moisture intrusion could swell and shrink the sheathing, leading to loosening over time of nails over time. Worn-out or rusting out nails could also lead to looseness, leading them to eventually push upward.
Poor nailing during initial roof installation can also be an issue. To ensure proper application of nails in this respect, ensure they are set straight into the shingle and driven in at an appropriate angle, with their heads flat against it to seal it against water infiltration. Furthermore, it is crucial that a roofing professional conducts an inspection to identify any potential problems that could cause nail pops later on in time.