We recently had our roof shingled and on closer inspection in looks like once in a while the roofer nailed too low, and a nail head is exposed. The roof is an 8/12 pitch and the shingles are architectural fiberglass/asphalt shingles. Should I have him go back and do something to cover them over? My biggest concern is that we have a cathedral ceiling and will not be able to detect a problem quickly. What would you do?
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Should I be worried? yes
If there is just one nail head exposed, there is nothing to worry about. Cover it with a dot of tar and sprinkle some loose gravel on it.
If there are hundreds of nails exposed, you have a problem and the roofer needs to redo the roof. The roof probably wouldn't leak for many years but it would start to leak prematurely in many of these exposed nails as the shingles became more brittle with age. Before it showed up as a leak in the house interior, it would act to rot large sections of your sheathing. There is no easy fix for this.
dito
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
That's "Ditto"........
Joe HView Image
Edited 1/10/2006 9:48 pm by JoeH
ditto
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks for your suggestion. This roofer came well recommended, but was forced to put the roof on in cold conditions which probably led to the odd misfired nail. There maybe only 5 nails exposed on the whole roof...I didn't check the 10/12 pitch portion of the roof. I will definitely get the roofer back up there. Thanks again.
FWIW, Here is a painful case history if the nail heads are not covered as previously outlined.
Missed tarring over one whole edge of exposed nails on my cabin roof (roll roofing) about 25 years ago. Never noticed it after as was moss covered. About 5 years ago, noticed a water stain and investigated - whole top double plate on that edge was rotted out for about 4 feet, plus about 2 feet back into the 3/4 ply sheathing - couple day job to repair.
Absolutely check the tar coverage of those nails and recover in 5, 10 and 15 years.
Take a photo now so you remember where they are, staple the photo on a garage wall somewhere so you dont forget or lose it! .
if the shingles are not nailed correctly, often such will void the warranty on them.
Joe, one last opinion...as a roofing contractor in coastal Alabama, we have pretty stringent codes (in addition to a lot of bad design on the builders' part). 5 nail heads showing on an average roof is about par for the course, whether gunning or hand driving. As you stated, cold weather only makes this problem worse, as do the design of dimensional shingles. We normally go over the entire roof after everything is done and tar over those heads...like someone else suggested, make sure the tar is still covering every few years.
There's a 99% chance this won't ever cause a problem--there's a lot bigger fish to fry so to speak.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Thanks, for your opinion, I am sure if I'm concerned the roofer will do his utmost to rectify the situation-- he seems like a decent fellow. Thanks for your input.
"...as a roofing contractor in coastal Alabama..."How's the work situation there? I've been talking to my brothers about coming back to MS and do some help on hurricane damage work until things slow down. They say people are begging for contractors.a.PS War Eagle
I'm in Pittsburgh, and I'm going down to New Orleans to do some work. I built/installed a kitchen for a customer last year, and he referred me to his brother-in-law. The customer said there is a 2 year+ waiting list for 'quality' contractors.
I'm mildly concerned about material procurement when I get down there. The customer seems confident it won't be a problem.--------------------------
It's only satisfying if you eat it.
Hey Roll Tide buddy! LOL
There's still some work in Mobile...we're finishing up our storm repair stuff now.
In MS & LA there's plenty if you want to compete with a thousand other guys.
I'll stick to what I do best!Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Ok, five nails is forgivable and fitable! LOL!