Return To Blog
Why Denver Roofers Must Nail Shingles Down Properly
September 6, 2017
Any mistake that Denver roofers make while replacing your roof could lead to problems down the road. One common mistake that inexperienced roofers make has to do with the way that the shingles are secured in place. If your shingles are not nailed down properly, a number of problems may arise. Here are some of the ways that a roofer can make a costly mistake when nailing down shingles:
Why is this a problem? Shingles that are secured in place with overdriven nails are more likely to fly off in a windstorm. Overdriven nails also void the manufacturer’s warranty, which means you could have to cover the costs of repairs.
Many roofers choose to nail down each shingle by hand instead of relying on a nail gun to avoid this problem. If they nail shingles down by hand, they can control the amount of pressure that is applied. Read should roofers use nail guns or hand nail shingles?
To ensure that you don’t experience any of these nailing issues, work with a team of experienced and skilled roofers. Big Creek Roofing is the premier Denver roofing company, with a staff that specializes in every aspect of roof maintenance, repair, and replacement for commercial and residential properties. When you hire our team to tackle your roofing project, you can expect on-time and high quality service at a reasonable price. Contact us today to discuss your roofing needs!
Overdriven Nails
Roofers use nail guns to send nails through the shingle and secure them in place. If the nail gun’s settings are not correct, the pressure will be too high and the nail will be sent too far into the shingle. How can you spot this problem? Look at the head of the nails. If the nails are driven in correctly, their heads should rest right on top of the surface. If the nail head is too deep and has created a hole in the shingle, this means it has been overdriven.Why is this a problem? Shingles that are secured in place with overdriven nails are more likely to fly off in a windstorm. Overdriven nails also void the manufacturer’s warranty, which means you could have to cover the costs of repairs.
Many roofers choose to nail down each shingle by hand instead of relying on a nail gun to avoid this problem. If they nail shingles down by hand, they can control the amount of pressure that is applied. Read should roofers use nail guns or hand nail shingles?
Wrong Location
The nails must also be placed in the right location on the shingle in order to keep them in place. It’s rare that nails be placed too low on the shingle. An inexperienced roofer is much more likely to make a mistake by placing the nails too high. If the nail is in the right position, it should be placed high enough on the shingle so that it also hits the underlying shingle to secure both in place. If the nail is placed too high, it will not hit the underlying shingle, which means each shingle will have fewer nails holding it in place. This means the shingles are more likely to curl or fly off during windstorms.Manufacturer’s Instructions
It’s important for a roofer to check with the manufacturer to see how many nails should be used per shingle. Most standard shingles require four nails, unless the home is in an area that experiences high winds. In this case, there should be six nails per shingle. But, these guidelines may vary, which is why your roofer should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.To ensure that you don’t experience any of these nailing issues, work with a team of experienced and skilled roofers. Big Creek Roofing is the premier Denver roofing company, with a staff that specializes in every aspect of roof maintenance, repair, and replacement for commercial and residential properties. When you hire our team to tackle your roofing project, you can expect on-time and high quality service at a reasonable price. Contact us today to discuss your roofing needs!