Nail pops are an indicator of roof trouble. Left untreated, they may lead to water infiltration resulting in sheathing rot and visible ceiling leaks – creating further problems in your roofing system.
Roof nail pops may occur for various reasons, including temperature fluctuations that push nails out of wood and irregular or smooth-shanked framing nails that fail to grip sheathing tightly enough, among other reasons.
Identify the Nail
Nail pops need to be repaired as quickly as possible to reduce their impact on your roof system. They also present an opportunity to resecure shingles to their decking with proper fasteners. Insurance adjusters frequently deal with clear-cut damage caused by perils such as hail and windstorms; however nail pops often go undetected and should warrant further examination by inspectors.
Nail pops are small blemishes that protrude from walls and ceilings, often seemingly harmless blemishes that protrude through drywall. Although seemingly harmless at first glance, nail pops can often indicate deeper issues which could result in water leakage or decreased structural integrity within a home.
Nail pops typically result from shifting structures underneath the drywall. This could be caused by something as dramatic as an earthquake, or as subtle as wood supporting nails becoming dry over time. Moisture and temperature fluctuations may also lead to sheathing expansion or contraction and cause nails to rise up towards the surface.
Remove the Nail
Roof nail pops are an increasingly prevalent source of raised shingles and increased water infiltration. These pops occur when nails swell and contract due to hot/cold cycles in an attic or roof system, leading to pressure changes causing nails to back out, push upward against shingles or wear through them, creating unsightly holes or protruding humps that serve as pathways for wind-driven raindrops to reach roof sheathing and penetrate it and leak into homes as roof leaks.
Nail pops are generally easy to correct and should be addressed as soon as they’re noticed. To successfully address the root cause, proper ventilation is key in mitigating their effects; also adding new nails may reduce future instances; using a putty knife apply joint compound or spackling paste directly over any recess left by setting one then let dry, before lightly sanding – then repeat.
Repair the Nail
Nail pops are one of the easiest roof issues to spot and fix, particularly if they’re caught early during bi-annual roof inspections. Left unattended, nail pops will create an entryway for rainwater entering through underneath your shingle roof shingle causing leakage into the home or business.
Nail pops can result from many issues, including improper nailing techniques or choosing smooth-shank nails which don’t penetrate sheathing adequately; attic venting problems; or even ice damming in cold climates. Increased attic ventilation will significantly lower nail pop incidents.
Roof nail pops should ideally be addressed by the professionals that installed your roofing system, who possess all of the knowledge, tools and industry experience to identify underlying causes and provide long-lasting repairs that comply with building codes. Skilled and experienced roofers can also conduct regular roof inspections to detect nail pop issues before they cause interior damage and leaks – this allows them to quickly resolve them before needing extensive repairs or roof replacement is necessary.
Seal the Repair
Nail pops protrusion through roof surfaces can indicate leakage risks. Unfortunately, unlike more prevalent issues like blistering or hail damage, nail pops aren’t typically covered by homeowner’s policies and DIY fixes may invalidate warranties on roofs.
Every roof shingle requires multiple nails to secure it to your roof decking. These nails feature rings on their shank that grip wood for support; when installed properly, these rings should sit flush against each roof shingle while being spaced evenly apart from one another.
Nail pops are often the result of temperature fluctuations and improper installation methods, as well as damaged roof sheathing that prevents nails from securely penetrating into it. Damaged sheathing may be the source of nail pops; when its structure has rotted or been excessively perforated by rainwater penetration, its structure renders nails incapable of penetrating into its core and therefore prevents their proper positioning into it.
If you discover a nail pop while conducting your bi-annual roof inspection, make sure that it’s repaired as soon as possible. Early identification and correction could save costly roof leaks in the future.