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HomeFactsHow To Fix Roof Nail Pops

How To Fix Roof Nail Pops

Inadequate Or Careless Original Drywall Installation

Caulking and Sealing and Repairing Nail Pops

Using an insufficient number of drywall screws or nails, missing the supporting stud or ceiling joist,using screws that are so short that they have inadequate penetration into the supporting stud or joist, or failing to space the drywall fasteners at the proper interval all can result in loose drywall and drywall nail or screw pops later.

The maximum fastener spacing on walls when no adhesive is used is 8 inches and on ceilings, 7 inches when nails are used.

The maximum drywall fastener spacing when screws are used is 16″ o.c. on walls and 12″ o.c. on ceilings when no adhesive is used.

Using too many drywall screws can also cause drywall movement, nail pops or worse, complete separation. Screwing in a fastener ever couple of inches, for example, will so fracture the drywall that it is weakened enough to risk a failure.

Over-driving screws or nails both tears the paper surface of the drywall, weakening the connection, and also fractures the gypsum below the nail or screw, leaving the fastener in a softer area of drywall.

Drywall screws or nails set at an angle may also invite protruding and ugly fastener displays.

See DRYWALL INSTALLATION Best Practices for additional nailing and adhesive schedules for drywall installation.

Patch The Scraped Off Area

We dont want to walk around the house with holes in the ceiling staring at us. So the next and final step is to patch all those areas that you scraped off, and to ensure it all looks smooth and even. Thats what the patching compound and the putty knife are for.

Apply the first coat and allow it to dry. Depending on the products brand and quality, that could take as little as 45 minutes or more than 12 hours. If you went for the worst quality, it could even be more than 24 hours.

Once its dry, apply a second coat, and wait for it to dry again. Later on, youll have to sand over the spot before applying paint.

Smash And Dash Nail Pop Repair

We repair nail pops by setting the nail about 1/16″ to 1/8″ below the flush surface of the drywall.

The indentation is filled with joint compound, or if time is short, with Dash Patchâ¢, and the wall is re-painted. It makes sense to wait to repair nail pops until you are planning to paint the building interior.

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How To Fix Nail Pops In Drywall

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As a new home settles, the sheet rock nails pop during the first two years….. How are you going to fix them?

What Causes Roof Leaks

Nail pop in valley

The first question we are going to tackle is What causes roof leaks? Perhaps you have recently replaced your roof and are already noticing signs of water damage. Or maybe youve had your roof for a while, but are wondering what needs to be done to remedy the situation. There are a variety of reasons why you might be experiencing roof leaks in your home, but below are some of the most common reasons that we regularly encounter.

Blown Off Shingles

Blown off or missing shingles are going to be the first suspect of any roof leak. Have you taken a look at your roof lately? If you havent, you might want to. However, in any inspection by one of our local roofers, missing shingles is one of the first things we look for so no worries if you dont catch it at first.

Determining whether a missing shingle is the actual culprit of your roof leak or not heavily depends on the location. If the missing shingle is resulting in the exposure of a seam between two other shingles, or it is located in an area called a valley then it is more likely going to be the cause of your leak.

Old Shingles

Next in line to be identified as a suspect for roof leaks? Old age. As time progresses, shingles wear and they become brittle and can crack. When this happens, the shingles simply are not as effective at repelling water and protecting your home. Brittle and cracked shingles allow water to travel through or beneath the shingle, and into the inside of your home.

Improper Installation

Ice Dams

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Drywall Nail Pops Faq

If youve ever had these questions regarding the nail pops in walls, floorboards, or ceilings that youre dealing with, rest assured there are answers.

One of the bigger worries people have regarding nail pops is whether or not you can fix them everywhere. This is especially true when it comes to nail pops in older homes, which are more likely to suffer from structural integrity problems. Whether you have only a few nail pops or youre dealing with lots of nails coming through the ceiling, heres what you can expect.

A Few Nail Pops All Over The House

What if your nail pops are only somewhat common, but theyre coming up all over your home? If youre seeing nail pops all across your home, its more likely that youre dealing with a structural problem.

Alternately, the nails behind your drywall may be improperly positioned. This could showcase a different problem, although its still one you should address as soon as possible.

This is another problem a JES foundation repair expert can tackle for you. Foundation repair experts have plenty of experience with nail pops in older homes, nail pops in walls, and many other types of nail pops. Theyll be able to give you more understanding of whats going on.

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How To Spot A Roof Leak

Roof leaks can cause significant water damage in your home. This can include costly interior repairs to sheetrock and paint, eventual structural damage, mold, and a more expensive roof replacement down the road.

Fortunately, if you know what to look for, damage can be minimized or even avoided with the proper roof maintenance. Below are a couple ways to identify roof leaks:

  • Inspect all ceilings for water spots. This includes water circles, discoloration, and bulging drywall. If these areas are wet or increase in size every time it rains, they are likely roofing leaks.
  • Inspect your attic while its raining to detect any dripping water or to inspect the decking for obvious water spots.
  • Inspect your roof from the ground to see if there are missing shingles, buckled and lifting shingles, dips in the decking, and pipe and vent flashing thats not flush with the roof surface.

Here are a few best practices to prevent roof repairs:

  • Use a quality roofing company to install your roof.
  • Have a roof inspection when your roof is 10 years old and every other year after.
  • Perform annual or bi-annual roof maintenance, including securing and sealing all flashing, caulking exposed nail heads, painting vents, and fixing nail pops.
  • Keep roof surface clean and gutters free of debris.

The most common causes of roof leaks are:

How to know its a roof leak before calling a roofing company near you:

Drill Screws Around That Area

Problems with Nail Pops

Locate the ceiling joist, and drill two screws in there. For the process to be effective, you must make sure the screws are in close proximity to the popped nail. One of the screws should go approximately an inch above the nail, and the other one an inch below.

Nail pops are just a cosmetic issue, but you can never be too sure about these things. Thats why we need the screws to securely attach the ceiling to its joists. The ultimate goal is to ensure no other movement pops out the nail.

In case you havent figured it out yet, the length of the screws that youre planning to use will obviously play a key role here. If they are not 1.25 inches long, youll have to grab your car keys, and run to the store.

0.75 inches have to go into the joist, and a couple of inches left on the surface. Thats not going to be possible if the screws are exactly 0.75 inches long or shorter.

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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.

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.

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What Are Roof Nail Pops

Roof nail pops, also called backed-out nails, are a type of roof defect where the roofing nails which secure the shingles have been forced back and out of the roof sheathing due to cyclical changes in the pressure exerted on the nail by the surrounding wood.

Wood roof sheathing swells due to increased humidity and high temperatures. When it cools and dries out, it contracts. Repetitions of this process reduces the ability of the wood to hold the nail. As the nail loosens, every time the wood swells it pushes the nail out of the hole a little bit more. Eventually, this leads to visible roof nail pops, with lifted or punctured asphalt roof shingles.

Roof nail pops tend to be a common issue on roofs with poorly-ventilated attics, where extreme overheating of the roof occurs, as well as on roofs that were installed while the roof sheathing was not dry. Nailing into damp wood prevents the nails from being properly held in place by the wood right from the start.

How To Fix Nail Pops

Nail Pops Repair in Scotch Plains

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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How Are Roof Nail Pops Prevented

It is essential that the roofing nails used to secure the shingles on your roof system are the correct length and installed properly. This means that on normal applications, the roofing nail should penetrate the roof decking. However, nail pops are not completely preventable due to the fact that during installation, the roof decking cannot be seen. Therefore, if a nail is installed where two pieces of decking come together, unknown to the installer, the nail is liable to pop after time as having not solidly penetrated through the decking. It is not uncommon to have nail pops, however, it is essential that they are addressed quickly.

Water And Drainage Problems

Has it been a particularly rainy season? Have you noticed cracks and creaks in your home? You may be dealing with too much water. This can essentially mix the soil under your home into the mud, which will press against the foundation and create weakness in it.

If youre handling water problems that are causing your nail pops, youll probably notice other cracking issues as well. Nail pops may be the first sign of a problem, but if youre noticing brick cracking, uneven floors, or other common signs of the house settling, this should be your first thought.

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How To Repair Nail Through Top Of Asphalt Shingle

Eedge10SstickshiftRReliableAmericaEedge10RReliableAmericaedge10This area was just repaired and it looks like the nail was mistakenly driven through the exposed part of the single. It does not look like a nail pop. There are no other nail pops.Eedge10ReliableAmericaAhh that’s what we call a “shiner” since the shiny head of the nail can be easily seen in bright sun light. I’d fix it by removing the nail, pumping the hole full of polyurethane caulk, then installing a longer nail in the same hole and culking again…. most guys will just caulk right over the exposed nail head and call it done.RReliableAmerica

Nail Pops: Your Next Steps

Roof nails popping through shingles

Whether youre dealing with seemingly endless nail pops everywhere or youve just started seeing one or two nail pops in your ceiling, you should deal with them before they get out of hand. If you deal with them now, you can stop future problems before they happen.

Dont leave nail pops to potentially become a much more significant issue. When nail pops can potentially mean theres something wrong with your foundation, you want to approach it now, rather than later. Request a free inspection to learn more about whats causing your nail pops today.

OUR EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP

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Shingle Roof Repair Roofing Nails Lifting Or Popping

Shingle Roof Fasteners Uplifting: During roof installation its easy for installers to forget about proper pressure setting on their nail guns. In most cases too many roofing nailers are hooked up to a low volume compressor and the air supply is not sufficient to drive each fastener fully. At time of installation only the severe high nails are noticeable. When the asphalt shingle seals to itself a tight bond is formed. High nails begin to protrude through the top surface of shingles. Rusting and seepage can occur. It is also possible for the roofs underlayment fasteners to uplift.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong with a shingle roof over time, and any roof is going to eventually need some kind of repair. If you notice you have uplifted or popped nails on your shingle roof, you will want to look into the issue right away.

Generally, when you have nails uplifting on a shingles roof, the shingles will look a bit raised or like there is a wave in the roofing material. It might curl a bit on the corner and any of that evidence can cause issues for your home.

Screw And Smooth Nail Pop Repair

If nail pops have been recurrent you may want to install two drywall screws about 1/2-inch on either side of the popped drywall nail to prevent further movement in this area. You’ll want to hammer in the popped drywall nails .

A hammer with a clean face works fine, or if you’re fussy, use a nail set . Then screw a drywall screw about an inch away on either side of the bad-behaving drywall nail.

Set the drywall screw just below the drywall surface. Ideally you’ll stop before the drywall screw tears the paper surface. If you over-drive a drywall screw so that it has cut below the surface of the paper you have reduced its holding ability.

Then use drywall compound or a Dash Patch or Dash Patch mix with drywall to speed up the smoothing process before re-painting.

Just be sure your drywall screws are fastened into the wood or metal joist or stud, as just screwing into the drywall alone is not effective.

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