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How To Fix Nail Pops On Roof

What Type Of Roof Sheathing Was Popular In The 1950’s

Caulking and Sealing and Repairing Nail Pops

It is entirely possible that your roof sheathing might consist of numerous tongue and groove 1×6 boards. This was a very common roof sheathing product in the 1950’s. Every 5.5 inches there is a horizontal seam where two 1x6s interlock. If the roofing nail happens to penetrate the sheathing along this seam, there is very little solid wood to hold the nail. In fact, the roofing nail can actually crack of the thin tongue along the seam. If this happens, there is virtually nothing holding onto the nail.

This same thing can happen on roofs that have large 4 x 8 pieces of plywood or oriented strandboard sheathing. Nails that hit weak spots in these products or along the seams where one sheet meets another are highly susceptible to backing out.

Nail Broke Through The Shingle

If the nail broke through the roofing shingle, you might need to do more than use a hammer to return the nail to its original spot. Instead, this particular repair job might also demand the replacement of the broken shingle.

So you need to remove at least one piece of the damaged shingle and bring it with you to the store. Buy a new piece and return it to your roof. Keep in mind that you might need to buy more than one shingle if you find numerous popped nails on your roof.

Also, make your trip to the store quickly spending too much time leaving your roof exposed may invite other concerns to your home. For example, pests like rodents and squirrels may take advantage of the new opening and claim the area under your roof as their new abode.

After getting the new shingle, carefully climb your roof and proceed with the next steps for this repair operation:

What Youll Need

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Assuming that you have already removed the offending shingle, remove the popped nail using the claw side of your hammer.
  • Replace the broken or damaged shingle with the new unit.
  • Hammer a nail to the new shingle to secure it in place. Make sure that the location of the new nail is about 1-inch above the previous area.
  • Slightly lift the shingle from the side and apply ½-teaspoon of asphalt cement using a caulk gun underneath it. Return the shingle to its original position afterward.
  • Apply a layer of asphalt cement over the newly hammered nail to help seal it.
  • Why Do Nails Back Out

    You might think that once a nail is in place, its there for good. However, nails are set into wood, which expands and contracts with temperatures over time. If they are not properly placed, they can back out of their positions. If nails are not anchored well into the wood, they are vulnerable to the movement that comes with seasonal expansion. Changing moisture levels also have an effect. Even well-placed nails can eventually shift.

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    Are Nail Pops Wind Damage

    Any location where the roofing material is a little loose is susceptible to damage from the wind. An area where there may be raised shingles from nail popping or other roof damage is especially vulnerable to additional wind damage.

    Are roof nail pops normal?

    It really is not uncommon to have a few nail pops, but left unattended, the roofing system will be compromised, and water will penetrate the wood causing leaks and interior damage. There are lots of reasons why nail pops can occur, but the important thing is to take care of them as soon as you notice raised shingles.

    What are nail pops?

    Nail pops are the small circles that protrude from the drywall of your walls and ceiling. Usually, the nail heads and bulges do not protrude very far: just about 1/8-inch. Nail pops are cosmetic imperfections that sometimes show up in drywall ceilings and interior walls that have been fastened with nails.

    Are nail pops normal in older homes?

    Nail pops are often a sign that the wood used to frame the home is drying out. When your home was built, the wood used to frame the home was green, meaning it was new and contained a lot of moisture. As the wood ages, it begins to dry and shrink thus forcing nails and screws out.

    What Causes Drywall Pops

    Nail pop in valley
    • What causes drywall screw pops. The pressure exerted by a drywall screw or nail against the surface paper is the tension that holds drywall to the wall. Because of this, if the head of a drywall fastener penetrates the surface paper, its ability to hold the sheet in this area is compromised.
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    Those Little Protrusions In Your New Drywall Are Common And Easy To Repair

    Nail Pops and drywall screw pops are a common issue in many homes. They are those little round circles that protrude from the flat surface of a wall or ceiling.

    Its a common misconception that nail pops are a result of cheap materials or shoddy drywall, in fact the real culprit is often a little deeper in the wall its the lumber! When the structure was built chances are the lumber used had more moisture because it was new. Over time that moisture dries and the lumber literally shrinks and pulls or pushes anything attached to it in the direction it shrinks. This is why you may see more nail pops show up in winter months when the air in your home is typically the driest.

    Q can Nail Pops Not Through The Shingle Be Hammered Back Dow

    I live in a condo villa my connecting neighbor had a roof leak andthe roofer that came out to fix the leak which was some loose flashing,told her that she had quite a few nail pops waiting to happenand he suposedly did that by hammering back down with a piece of wood so as to not damage the shingle. now the roofer wants to do the same to the adjacient units, i personally inspected my roofand found about a dozen shingles with the center lifted about 3/8 to 1/2 in with no protrusin into the shingle by the nail , roof is 7 years old GAF shingles and i checked all the shingles and 100 % of them were sealed down so that you could not lift the shingle to do a repair.I assume that if the nail has lifted that the hole is already to bigand it would probably lift again and that now since the inside of the shingle was possiblly dammaged by the hammering the nest time it would turn into a real roof pop and cause a leakis this roofer making the corect repair, am I to concerned, or is ther some other repair to rectify this problemThanks madbchron

    From the sounds of it he did what needed to be done and he was careful on what tools he usedI gauranteeif he used a hammer or particularly a roofing hatchet without the wood, You would have a much bigger problem.

    Is there a way this could have been done better, yeseach shingles seal is popped, remove the nail, an new nail ro the right or left, fill the existing hole with dab mastic from a tube as well as resealing the shingle.

    Several issues:

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    When Should You Call A Roofer To Repair Your Roof

    Whenever you spot a leak, you should call a roofer As soon as possible. The sooner you address the problem, the better. You have no idea what hidden harm might be caused by it. If there is only one leak, another potential issue will probably show up elsewhere suddenly. The entire roof should be evaluated when a roofer comes to inspect the leak.

    The Cost Of Roofing Nails

    ASPHALT SHINGLES NAIL POPPING

    The cost of your roofing nails will depend on a few factors, including material, type and length. Also note that nails are sold by the pound, and if youre a professional roofer, it may benefit you to buy in bulk in order to reduce costs.

    That being said, you can expect a small, 5-pound box of smooth shank galvanized steel roofing nails to cost around $10. Nails for roofing felt are also more expensive than typical nails.

    If youre estimating the cost of your nails, its best to head into your supplier and compare their prices yourself, as costs vary by location too.

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    What Should You Do If You Notice Nail Pops

    If you see some loose nails on your roof, contact a roofing contractor right away. It may be a minor issue, but its also possible that there is much more serious damage that you cant see.

    You may have no idea when the nails popped. If it happened a while ago and it has rained since then, a roofer may discover that moisture has infiltrated the area below the shingles and may determine that a large section of the roof needs to be replaced.

    Nail pops are one reason why its important to routinely inspect your roof. If you cant climb up there yourself, you can take a look from the ground and have a roofing professional come out to perform periodic inspections.

    LaBrusciano Roofing & Exteriors has been serving residential and commercial customers across Pennsylvania since 2009. We have built a reputation for providing reliable service and meeting or exceeding our customers expectations. Contact us today at 624-8850 to schedule a roof inspection and repairs.

    Recent Posts

    Is It Possible To Reuse Shingles With Nail Holes

    Reusing an old shingle might reduce the efficacy of your roof in protecting your house from wind, water, and other elements. New shingles are in excellent shape. Replacement shingles can protect your property from wind and further damage. If old shingles are in bad shape, it’s better not to reuse them.

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    What Are Nail Pops

    When you are inspecting your roof for the winter ahead, look for raised shingles. If you see any, in all probability, it is caused because a nail has popped up and lifted the single. As soon as possible, you should have a professional roofer inspect your roof to make sure it can survive the winter and discuss what needs to be done.

    Nail pops can be caused by a variety of reasons. When the temperature changes, expansion and contraction can cause the nails to pop up and lift the shingles. You should also make sure your roof is adequately ventilated.

    Other causes of nail pops can be that the shingles were not nailed tightly when the roof was installed. Additionally, the installers could have used nails that were too short. It really is not uncommon to have a few nail pops, but left unattended, the roofing system will be compromised, and water will penetrate the wood causing leaks and interior damage.

    There are lots of reasons why nail pops can occur, but the important thing is to take care of them as soon as you notice raised shingles. If the nail pops are dealt with immediately, a fix can be quite simple: remove and replace the loose nails and seal the shingles down. Because a nail pop brings the shingle up with it, water penetration under the single can occur, or strong winds can blow the shingle off the work. Call a roofing professional to check it out.

    What Causes Nail Pops

    Pro Systems, Inc. Exposed nails can cause roof leaks

    One main cause of nail pops is the movement of wood framing. Over time lumber moves and changes shape ever so slightly as its moisture content fluctuates. During this process the dimensions of the woodits length, width, and depthshrink and expand at different rates. This movement causes nails to back out of the drywall and pop through the surface.

    There are many other reasons for nail pops. They can result from the improper spacing of drywall screws or nails, driving drywall fasteners at an angle instead of straight into a stud, completely missing a stud with the fastener, using nails that are too short and dont sufficiently penetrate a stud, overdriving screws and nails and causing the heads to break into the soft gypsum layer of the drywall, and using too many or too little drywall connectors.

    Finally, nail pops can simply be the result of a settling foundation.

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    How To Fix Nail Pops On Roof

    Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Nail pops on the roof can cause a host of problems, including leaks and reduced insulation. The unprecedented opening can also invite pests to enter your home. So how can you fix roof nail pops? We researched a possible solution for you, and here’s what we found.

    The process to repair nail pops on roofs often depends on the severity of the problem. For instance, the steps to fix a nail that slightly popped up are:

    1. Carefully fold or remove the shingle with a crowbar. 2. Set the crowbar over the offending nail and pound both items with a hammer. 3. Use an adhesive sealer to return and secure the shingle to its original place.

    As for more serious nail pops, here are the steps to solve this issue:

    1. Remove the popped nail with the hammer claw.2. Replace the damaged shingle with a new and exact unit. 3. Hammer a new nail 1-inch above the position of the previous nail. 4. Slightly lift or fold the shingle and apply ½-teaspoon of asphalt cement. 5. Apply another layer of asphalt cement over the new nail to seal the installation.

    It’s also best to understand how nail pops on roofs occur. Continue reading as we talk about the reasons why these problems happen. We’ll also tackle the steps to repair roof nail pops in greater detail.

    How To Fix Damaged Roof Shingles

    We share step-by-step instructions for the three most common asphalt-shingle repairs.

    Maintaining a sound roof literally tops the list of crucial home repairs: It keeps you and your family warm and dry, along with everything in your house. A new roof is a pricey proposition. These simple repairs can keep your existing roof sound for years to come.

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    The Importance Of Nails In Roofing

    Every time there is a gust of wind, we rely on the nails weve chosen to hold new shingles in place. Choosing the right roofing nails and driving them properly is essential for getting the best performance out of your roof. For more tips on roof installation and tools, read our article about choosing between a nail gun and a roofing hammer.

    How To Do It

    Repair Rising Plywood Nail in Asphalt Shingle Roof
    • Lift the existing shingle right above the area where the nails are backing out.
    • CAUTION: Do not over-lift the existing in-place shingles. Repairs on asphalt shingle roofs are best done when the temperature is warm enough so the shingles can soften somewhat, so you can work with the shingles without cracking or breaking them.
    • If the shingle covering the backed-out nail can be raised enough for you to use a hammer directly on the backed-out nail, you can re-drive the nail with a hammer directly to the nail head. If the nail is bent, rusted, or too loose to stay firmly in place, remove it completely. Use a new #11 or #12 aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel barbed ring shank roofing nail with 3/8-inch to 7/8-inch diameter heads. New nails should be long enough to penetrate wood plank decks at least 1 inch, or go completely through plywood or OSB decks. Drive the new nail into the shingle in a new location about an inch above the old location. Do not drive the new nail into the old nail hole.
    • After youve installed the new nails, or re-driven the old nails, cover the nail heads with a 1-inch wide spot application of industrial grade, asbestos-free roof cement. If youve replaced the nails, be sure to apply roof cement to the old nail holes as well.
    • Lower the lifted shingle back down onto the shingle beneath it, firmly pressing the shingle tabs into the roof cement to adhere the shingle tabs.

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    How To Fix Nail Pops

    You may think that the solution to a nail pop would be simply hammering the nail back in. This approach is only a short-term solution and should not be your course of action if you do not plan to replace your roof within the upcoming months. Hammering the existing nail back into the pre-existing hole will leave the nail loose and allow water to seep around that nail. The best way to fix a nail pop is to lift the shingle on top of the nail, remove the popped nail, and hammer in a new larger nail in the original location.

    Suppose you are confident with getting on your roof and performing minor repairs. In that case, a couple of nail pops will be an easy fix for you to do yourself with the proper safety precautions and equipment. However, if you are not confident in getting on your roof, hire a roofing contractor to inspect and repair your roof. Most local roofing contractors will offer free inspections. To find a reputable contractor, we recommend using platforms like Angi to find a contractor. We suggest contacting a professional roofing contractor if you have a roof older than ten years with nail pops. They can repair it and identify any other areas of concern during their roof inspection.

    If you are local to the Charlotte area, reach out to Signature Exteriors today. We are happy to come out and perform a free inspection that includes assessing the roofing system for nail pops and any other damage. Call us today at 729-4898 or email us at .

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