New roof-visible nails . Is this normal ?

Question

Hello,

I had a new roof put on this week, and I noticed when I did my inspection that there were areas at the peaks of the roof that there were 4 nails driven in, and then sealed with a clear sealant. Is this normal? My experience has only ever been with gable roofs up to this point, so I am not used to seeing hip roofs and how they are roofed. I did notice some sloppiness from the rest of this job, however, so I do not completely trust the roofing contractor to tell the truth or correct information. In one of the pictures, it shows where they forgot the clear sealant. Is this a standard practice to have exposed nails on roof leaks or ridge vents that are then sealed with a clear sealant?

Jerry V. · Answer

Did someone call !?!?  (LMAO @ Bruce!)

Hey guys... yes, with hip roofs, the ridge cap shingles do have to "meet" somewhere, usually in the middle, and then you'll have 2-4 nails showing on top of that centered covering.  They are supposed to be sealed, usually with color matching sealant but it's not uncommon to have "clear" sealant.  It's also not common for the "client" to be up on the roof afterward, but good for you Sam! hahaha  "Tar" should only be used under the shingles (rubberized type) and usually polymers are used on top.  Example: There's a sealant called "Through-The-Roof" that is really good, but it is clear and you have to be careful with it, as it will still "seep" or sink into things, so you have to know how to work it.

Honestly, it's really NOT a big deal.  Tell the super or Lead guy your concerns, and they'll make it right (hopefully).  If the "clear" sealant is still shiney and reflects the light (can see it from the ground), a small squirt of paint covers those over just fine.  (don't try to take it off and use something else!)

Let me know if I/we can help with any "roof" related questions or issues.  Thanks!

(w/ J's Roofing - Richardson, TX)

Peter Baudendistel · Answer

@Sam Zawatsky

Former roofing production manager / engineer here.

Shingles on the planes of the roof needed to be covered 100%.  What you're looking at is a "ridge shingle".

Cheaper options don't have the ability to overlap the nails like the rest of the roofing system, but nicer options (look up "GAF Timbertex") are built with the intention to 100% cover the ridge nails.

While you got a dimensional roof (good), looks like materials got skimped skimped on top.

It'll likely be fine, just keep an eye on the silicon.

In the future, I'd pony up for the nice accessories (self healing underlayment) and go mid tier on shingles.

Bud Gaffney · Answer

@Sam Zawatsky this is 100% normal.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Most nails should be hidden, but at some point you won't have overlap and nails will be visible.  You can see this with how the shingles are overlapping in the photo.  They got to the middle and there is no where to hide the nails.

Edward Zachary Samperio · Answer

It is not common for roofing nails to be visible on a newly installed roof, as the nails are typically hidden under the overlapping shingles. However, there may be some cases where it is necessary to use exposed nails, such as for ridge cap shingles or for attaching flashing. In these cases, it is important for the exposed nails to be sealed with an appropriate sealant to prevent water from penetrating through the nail holes. If you have concerns about the installation of your roof, it may be a good idea to consult with a professional roofing contractor or inspector to assess the quality of the work.

Gary Ward · Answer

As a local roofing contractor myself, I will say that it is normal for installers to seal the nails that way. I always glue that last shingle down and do not use any nails but it is allowed to be installed that way and pass inspection. Most contractors do not use clear sealant but instead black tar.

Jerry V. · Answer

It's always interesting to see comments from "former" this or that ... makes me laugh every time!!!   I'll leave it at that. :D

Sam Zawatsky · Answer

@Edward Zachary Samperio

Understood. My question is: is it normal for a brand new roof to be installed in a way where there are 4 nails that need to be sealed with sealant on top of the shingles? To me, it seems like all nail heads should be underneath the other shingles that overlap.

Edward Zachary Samperio · Answer

It is common practice to use sealant on exposed nails in roofing to prevent water penetration. This is particularly important in areas where water may collect, such as the peaks of hip roofs or around vents.

That being said, it's also important to ensure that the roofing contractor you hired did a quality job and used appropriate materials. Sloppiness in other areas of the job could be a cause for concern, and you may want to have the work inspected by a qualified professional to ensure that it was done correctly. If you have any doubts or concerns, it's always better to address them sooner rather than later to prevent potential problems down the line.

New roof-visible nails . Is this normal ?

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