Temperature fluctuations are a prime culprit of nail pops. Your roof’s sheathing goes through daily cycles of heating and cooling that cause it to expand and contract, eventually forcing nails that have been driven through by this sheathing out of wood into pop outs over time.
Nail pops can cause protruding nail holes in a roof shingle, allowing wind-driven rainwater into your home through it. Prompt attention of nail pops will protect both interior damage as well as expensive repairs to be avoided.
Remove the Damaged Shingles
Each shingle must be fastened securely to the roof decking with nails featuring rings designed to grip wood and create a tight seal.
Over time, nails may come loose. When this occurs, rainwater can easily enter the roof structure, potentially resulting in interior damage, sheathing rot and leaks.
To address a nail pop effectively, it’s crucial to identify its source and make appropriate repairs – otherwise the issue will recur and possibly worsen over time.
Many homeowners believe hammering existing nails back in will provide a permanent solution for nail pops; however, this approach only results in the nails wearing through again and leaving your roof exposed to further damage.
Replace the Loose Nails
Nail pops are usually caused by changes in temperature that cause roofing materials to expand and contract, though improper installation and environmental conditions can also play a part in loosening nails over time.
Nail pops are caused when nails used to secure roof shingles pop out from behind their wood base and protrude through the shingle, creating a hump or rise in the roof and offering pathways for water penetration. Wind-driven rain could even pull the nail free and bring damage into your home.
Roof nail pops can be remedied using spackling compound or joint compound, which will fill in the nail hole and protect against future issues. Regular roof inspections will help identify such issues early and reduce their severity over time. In addition, timely action to address roofing nail pops could prevent more costly repair bills as well as interior damage costs from happening; helping you save both stress and money down the line.
Seal the Damaged Shingles
Nail pops in your roof are an indicator of a damaged shingle that could result in water leakage into the home, so to prevent further damage it’s recommended having a professional roofer inspect and make the necessary repairs.
Nail pops are typically caused by improper nails being used during roof installation. This includes using crooked or smooth shank nails that fail to grip the sheathing properly and become loose over time, leading to leaky roofs.
Nail pops can also result from insufficient attic ventilation. Without sufficient airflow in your roof’s attic, heat and humidity build-up will increase, leading to expanded and swollen sheathing that expands and contracts over time causing nails to work loose from their positions in your roof over time, ultimately causing them to pop off!
An effective way to prevent nail pops is ensuring your roofing system is constructed using appropriate materials for the climate in your area and with appropriate nailing methods. Professional roofers will be sure to use high-grade materials tailored specifically for use by their nailing methods, thereby helping ensure nail pops don’t happen!
Repair the Damaged Shingles
Unless treated immediately, nail pops can allow water to leak underneath raised shingles and damage both your roof system and interior of your home. In addition, strong winds may blow them off completely resulting in further damages and more costly repairs.
Your nails may have been too short and did not properly anchor to the wood of your roof sheathing, leaving soft spots where nails cannot anchor securely. Over time, sheathing deterioration may further decrease support for nails being driven into it.
Start by taking care not to accidentally damage either the new shingle that needs replacing, or any nails still present on your roof. Use a flat pry bar and work underneath damaged shingle until all nails have been removed, using half-teaspoon of asphalt cement patch as needed to cover holes left by missing nails; allow to dry, then lightly sand.