Roof nail pops can be unsettling for homeowners. Aside from being unsightly, they’re also seen by conscientious homebuyers as indicative of deeper problems in your home.
However, simply hammering down nails won’t do. A professional should address and repair the issue to prevent further leakage.
Remove the Shingles
Roof nail pops occur when nails that secure shingles to the sheathing are dislodged by wood expansion and contraction, or due to damaged or old sheathing that no longer holds nails securely in place, leading to long-term leaks and damage. Poor attic ventilation traps heat and humidity which causes sheathing boards to expand causing loose or smooth shingle nails to pop up into view.
Nail pops aren’t just unsightly; they also allow rainwater to seep underneath your shingles and into your roof sheathing, leading to leakage. There are DIY fixes such as hammering rising nails back down; however, this only provides temporary relief and could void your warranty. A more permanent fix would be to remove and replace the affected shingle before sealing over its nail hole to ensure future moisture doesn’t seep underneath and into your home through nail pops; in addition, nail pops also create pathways for wind-driven rainwater to reach sheathings allowing it to enter your home and create leakage issues!
Replace the Nails
Roof nail pops create tent-like humps and bumps on a roof’s surface that don’t look very attractive, as well as creating an entryway for rain to reach its sheathing and enter your home through wind-driven rainfall.
Nail pops can result from several sources, including improper roofing installation or environmental conditions. Sheathing boards in poor condition could not support nail placement securely enough and should therefore not have been exposed to harsh environments – for instance through poor attic ventilation – this increases their susceptibility.
As it’s also possible that roofing nails were too short, this can cause them to back out of the shingle and push up against it or wear through, creating holes. When this occurs it’s crucial that re-nailing with appropriate size nails such as ring shank nails is carried out – as simply hammering back in will allow water to seep into and around it and could eventually leak under shingles altogether.
Seal the Shingles
Nail pops aren’t simply unsightly; they can also lead to leaks. When nails pop out, they force shingles up, creating holes through which wind driven rain enters your roof and causes leakage, potentially leading to leaks that lead to water damage in your home. Roof nail pops may be caused by improper installation, environmental conditions or both; roof nail pops often result from either one of these factors or both combined.
Nails that are too short don’t penetrate sheathing effectively and their rings may wear away or come off completely, leaving a smooth shank that easily comes loose from roofing components like flashings or vents or boots. Proper attic ventilation prevents hot/cold cycles from heating and cooling the sheathing and causing it to expand, pushing up nails as a result.
Repair the Damage
Nail pops occur when nails that hold shingles together become loose and begin to back out of their holes, often as a result of improper roof installation or environmental factors, or both. No matter the cause, nail pops should be addressed promptly in order to minimize water penetration under raised shingles and possible structural damage in your home.
Roofers employ specially made ring shank nails when attaching roof shingles to roof decking. They are specifically designed to grip wood without backout of their hole; without these nails in place when installing your roof, more likely are its components to come loose due to an inadequate grip.
If your attic is poorly ventilated, the hot and humid summer climate may cause sheathing boards to expand, forcing nails out of their holes and leading to various leaks and ceiling stains. This could create further complications.