How do you fix exposed nails on a shingle roof?
Short answer. Fix an exposed nail by lifting the shingle above, pulling the old nail, driving a new nail into solid deck in the proper nailing zone beside the old hole, sealing the old hole, and replacing the shingle if it is torn. A dab of sealant over a nail head is only a temporary patch, and many exposed nails across a roof point to an installation problem rather than a simple repair.
The proper repair
- Work on a mild day when shingles are flexible, not in summer heat or cold.
- Gently break the seal of the shingle above with a flat bar.
- Pull the popped or misplaced nail.
- Drive a new nail of the right length into solid deck in the nailing zone, close to but not in the old hole.
- Fill the old hole with roofing sealant, or slip a small piece of flashing under it.
- Replace the shingle if the nail tore it.
- Press the upper shingle back down, adding a dab of sealant if the original bond will not reform.
Why sealant alone fails
A blob of sealant on a nail head looks fixed, but the sun dries and cracks it within a few years, and a popped nail usually keeps backing out underneath. The leak path comes right back.
When it is a bigger problem
- Rows of exposed nails: nails placed too low throughout the roof.
- Pops everywhere: wrong nails, a deck that moves too much, or attic moisture.
- A newer roof: exposed nails on a roof only a few years old are a workmanship issue for the installer.
- A home sale: inspectors flag exposed nails, and buyers may ask for repairs.
Warranty
Shingle manufacturers cover material defects, not nailing. Exposed nails on a newer roof fall under the installer's workmanship warranty, so call them first. Read roofing warranties explained and common causes of roof leaks.
Roof repairs mean working at height on a slope, so hire them out if you are not equipped.