Little Things that Make a Huge Difference in the Life of a Roof

When it comes to the factors that can determine the life expectancy of a roof, the major components such the shingles, deck and underlayment tend to get the most attention. However, one of the most important aspects on a roof may be one of the smallest; the nails used to fasten the shingles. Here are 4 ways that their improper use can affect the performance and the service life of a roof.

Exposing the nail heads - Nails that are put in at a location on shingles that is too low to be covered by the next row higher will be exposed to direct sunlight and moisture, which will speed the process of corrosion. These exposed nail heads are referred to as "shiners" because of their tendency to reflect sunlight. Constant exposure to the elements will eventually weaken the nail head to the point where it breaks off, leaving shingles unattached and creating the potential for tiny leaks across the roofing system. If you notice exposed nail heads after the installation of a new roof or a repair, call the installer to have the shingles replaced and re-fastened properly.

Nailing near the top of the shingles - This may be the result of over-compensating to avoid shiners, but any time nails are hammered in too high, they may not reach the underlying shingle or, if they do, the penetration will be too shallow to make a firm connection. These weak or non-existent connections between shingles make the entire roofing system prone to being blown off by high winds. 

Over-driven nails - Nails that are driven too far in to the shingles can go through the protective outer layer and expose the inside of the shingle, which can lead to a faster deterioration process. In addition to penetrating the outer layer, the tiny recesses can trap moisture, which can corrode nail heads and saturate the unprotected areas of each shingle. To make matters worse, over driven nails can void the manufacturer's warranty on materials.

Using the wrong length - Nails that are too short will not fasten the shingles tight enough to provide full protection. On the other hand, nails that are too long can fully penetrate the roof deck, eventually leading to numerous small leaks across the roofing system. 

The best way to avoid these issues is to hire a roofing company that has their installers receive training directly from roofing material manufacturers. Installers that demonstrate expertise after comprehensive training can be designated as “Certified Master Roofers”. With an installation performed by Certified Master Roofers, the issues listed above are extremely unlikely to occur.