Exposed Nails On Roof Shingles

Remove any shingle with exposed nails and replace it with a new shingle.

Exposed nails on roof shingles.

I would recommend doing this on a sunny day and after exposed to sun for a few hours. Tom the guy who roofed my old house has agreed to try and replace each of the shingles with exposed nails but he said he has to get it on the right day or the shingles will want to tear when he tries to release them from. However on pipe boots and the last cap shingle you will find exposed nails that are caulked. Accurate nailing affects the performance of roofing shingles and it is also required by the international building.

Align shingles properly to avoid nail exposure. Where to nail shingles. Covering the exposed nail with any type of roof cement or caulk is not a permanent repair and will be excluded from coverage under gaf s limited warranties. Wipe the glob of roofing cement over the nail head.

Over time the caulk will age and deteriorate which becomes a roof maintenance issue. That part of the roof leaks 01 percent and less of the time. Just make sure that you don t damage the shingles lifting them up. More if the shingles were not installed according to the manufacturer s specifications the shingle warranty will probably not be honored.

I heard an opposing opinion recently. Lift a tab above the repair to drive a nail into the shingle through the flasher to keep it in place. That last cap alone will have nails exposed and covered with tar plastic cement winter or summer grade depending upon the season. I must admit i ve seen many builders that do not seal the nail heads.

Each shingle manufacturer has its own requirements for proper nailing including where roofing nails should be placed. Make sure the roofing cement extends to each side of the nail head covering it completely. This is not the correct way to fix the problem. Remove nail lift shingle and apply a small dab where nail penetrated shingle then push the overlapping shingle down and your done.

I ve always considered it necessary to caulk any exposed nail heads on a shingle roof there shouldn t be many. It is important to apply roofing nails in the right quantity and location to securely lock a shingle into its place. Unfortunately many people and even some less experienced roofers will simply caulk an exposed nail or nail pop. If you see shingle exposure more than 5 5 8 or if you see exposed shingle nails or self sealing tar strips then the shingles were over extended and most likely will have a reduced life.

Be sure to use the manufacturer recommended number of nails to fasten the shingle to the roof deck. Make sure the shingle has the proper number of nails in it also. The claim was that nails have to pass through a minimum of two layers of shingles. Use the hammer to pound on the exposed nail head until it is flush with the shingle.

Apply a glob of roofing cement to the spatula or putty knife. There should be no fasteners at all exposed on a shingle roof.