Your roof goes through an annual cycle of heating and cooling. Fluctuations in humidity levels may also cause wood sheathing to expand or contract, causing nails to protrude above its surface.
Poor nailing techniques are also a primary culprit behind nail pops. Nails with short or smooth shanks fail to grip securely against sheathing material and allow rainwater to seep under them during rainstorms, leading to nail pops.
Remove the Damaged Shingles
Nail pops can often be caused by temperature fluctuations that cause the shingles to expand and contract at different rates, causing the nails to loosen, eventually lifting off of their nails and lifting off of their shingle. Furthermore, improper installation techniques may contribute to nail pops.
As part of a nail pop repair, the initial step should be removing any damaged shingles. Start by sliding a putty knife or flat pry bar under the front edge of each damaged shingle and using gentle pressure on its corners with a putty knife or flat pry bar, while gently lifting or bending each one upward until freed from roof sheathing.
Once the shingles have been separated from the sheathing, remove all roofing nails. If there is any evidence of rust on any nails, replace them with new roofing nails immediately.
Care should be taken when removing shingles from your roof as any unauthorized repairs could void its warranty. Instead, contact a professional roofer and have him/her inspect it to make sure it can withstand winter conditions and address any potential problems that might arise. Regular roof inspections may help to avoid nail pops by identifying and fixing minor leaks before they turn into major ones.
Repair the Shingles
Lack of care with nail pops can result in serious structural issues, including water penetration and rot, which in turn leads to leaks and interior damage, as well as extensive and expensive roof repairs or even replacement costs. If these problems remain unaddressed they could pose significant threats.
Nail pops can be caused by various factors, including temperature fluctuations and improper installation techniques; however, one of the primary culprits is weathering.
When a nail pops, its lifted shingle comes back down, providing rain with direct access into your home. To prevent this from happening, it is wise to regularly rescue loose shingles – this will extend their lifespan as well as helping prevent leaks from developing. Professional roofers possess all of the tools, knowledge, and industry experience to quickly repair nail pops while suggesting suitable roofing materials for your home.
Repair the Nails
Nails that pop from their shingles above can lead to water infiltration and interior damage, caused by changes in pressure exerted upon them by surrounding shingles and sheathing. This type of event typically leads to water infiltration as well as interior damages.
Nail pops can occur due to improper nailing techniques or when using too short nails. When installing roofing nails, they should be driven in so their head rests flat against the shingle shingles for optimal sealing performance.
Nail holes should be filled in sheathing with roofing cement or tar, to reduce leakage and extend its lifespan. Doing this helps prevent future leakage as well as prolong its useful lifespan.
Try not to attempt driving the nail back into its hole with a hammer; doing so may further loosen your shingle and widen the hole further. A professional roofer should perform repairs. Neglected nail pops could lead to expensive repairs or roof replacement in the future.
Replace the Shingles
An occasional nail pop may seem minor, but it could easily turn into a serious roof leak if left unresolved. When one or more nails push up and lifts shingles away from their position beneath sheathing, giving rain direct access to it and leading to interior damage and potentially rotting holes in sheathing underneath.
Nail pops can result from temperature changes and sheathing movement over time, but they should not recur if properly addressed by an experienced roofer. Their identification can then be followed up with appropriate repairs to prevent future instances.
If you decide to attempt repairing a nail pop yourself, remember that simply driving it back down will not do. Instead, asphalt cement should be applied liberally onto the hole before folding a 4-by-2-inch piece of felt over it for proper sealing.