FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

trimming roof sheathing nails

nomorecoffee | Posted in General Discussion on April 13, 2020 04:37pm

New 1/2″ plywood got put on over the old plank roof sheathing when I had my roof re-shingled.  They were going for nailing into the rafters but I see a lot of misses.  The line of nails just wonders off the rafter by an inch in places.  Two questions:  is this a serious issue and how do I trim the nails?  They’re in the way of constructing insulation baffles and I don’t want to singe the shingle underlayment from below if I start cutting the nails with an angle grinder.

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    Plumb13 | Apr 13, 2020 07:24pm | #1

    It's annoying that roofers aren't more careful about nailing, but I've never seen it cause trouble. Cutting the nails off with an angle grinder won't cause enough heat to damage the shingles, but it would be better to just bend them over with a hammer, so they'll hold the new sheathing more securely.

    Why are you "constructing insulation baffles?" Why not buy them? They don't cost much.

    1. nomorecoffee | Apr 14, 2020 12:26am | #2

      Not as annoying as when they BS you about it.

      Why construct: irregularly spaced rafters, premade baffles seem flimsy, hard to seal, and don't leave a big enough vent channel. I see a lot of recommendations to build them out of plywood or rigid foam.

      1. User avater
        Mike_Mahan | Apr 14, 2020 05:08pm | #5

        How are you supposed to not miss the rafters if they are irregularly spaced. Cut off the nails with an end cutter.

  2. jlyda | Apr 14, 2020 04:16am | #3

    To be fair. Overlaying on top of existing makes it a bit harder to tell if you are hitting joist with nail gun. It’s to be expected in some areas. Everywhere on the other hand, is a lack of trying completely. Just bend them over, not worth the effort to cut them. While it might be a little unsightly it will be fine.

  3. nomorecoffee | Apr 14, 2020 11:31am | #4

    Bending the nails over sounds reasonable but won't that mean the planks will get destroyed if and when the plywood gets replaced? Or is that just so far in the future that it's moot?

    Based on the limited areas I can see, 30% or more of the nails missed the rafter.

  4. oldhand | Apr 15, 2020 12:33pm | #6

    When you bend nails over it tends to loosen them. 30% misses isn't too spooky, not ideal but even the misses are held by a plank. I wouldn't bend them over.

    If you need to cut off the shiners I'd try a good pair of nail nippers first, it may be easier than grinding. Only drawback is you'll have a little bit of nail still below the planks whereas with a grinder you can make them flush.

  5. jlyda | Apr 15, 2020 02:07pm | #7

    I think it’s a lot of work for something that doesn’t matter much at all. If you were to only have 1/2” ply or osb like most roofs you would have nails penetrating through the sheathing all over the place from shingling. Proper install on 1/2” ply actually calls for nails to go through the sheathing. If you bend the nails make sure to drive them sideways and not up, it will be fine. I don’t know how far they are penetrating, but I might consider not doing anything to them at all. Shiners in an attic space aren’t that big of a deal.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Kimberley Robles, Decorative Concrete

In this interview, Kimberley talks about the importance of proper training, current concrete trends in the Bay Area, and the history of racist housing policy in San Francisco.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 549: Energy Upgrades, Chimney Inspections, and Questions About a Home You Might Buy
  • Podcast 549: Members-only Aftershow—Patios vs. Decks
  • Podcast 548: PRO TALK With Design/Build Operations Manager Jessica Bishop-Smyser
  • Strategies for Venting a Roof Valley

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in