Tips for Nailing Your Asphalt Shingles
If you are a homeowner who likes to complete some basic DIY and handyman tasks around the house, then you may think that roofing work is out of your league. If you truly think this is the case, then contact a roofer to have the professionals complete repairs on your roof. However, if you want to try your luck, then you can think about installing some new shingles yourself. One of the most important aspects of shingle replacement is where you drive the nails into the shingles. Keep reading to learn about some nailing tips.
Pick Out the Right Nails
The first thing you should do before you start your roofing project is purchase the right nails. There are many different nails that you can purchase. While it may seem simple, you do need roofing nails. Roofing nails are labeled as such when you go to your local home store. Do not make the common mistake of buying common nails, as the nails come in varying lengths.
The nails you need are the large-headed, galvanized steel nails. These nails range in size from three-quarter to one and three-quarter inches. The nails you need must penetrate the deck of the roof. Three-quarter inch nails are the minimum length to make it through one layer of shingles, a thin underlayment, and an aver-sized decking. If you have a felt underlayment, two layers of shingles or thicker architectural varieties, or a thicker deck, then you will need the longer nails. Go with one or one and a half inch varieties. When you drive your first nail into the roof, you should be able to see the tip coming through the deck in your attack space. Look for this to make sure you have the right nails.
Add Nails Below Adhesive
Almost all three-tab shingles will have a strip of adhesive that runs the length of the shingle. You want the nail to sit just below the adhesive. However, you do not want the head of the nail to be exposed. This means that you do need to layer your shingles correctly and look closely at where the nails sit. If the next overlapping shingle does not completely cover the nail head, then the nail must be moved upward on the shingle a small amount.
When you find the right placement for each nail, use either a hammer or a pneumatic tool to drive each nail straight down. Crooked nails can leave the shingle area exposed to leaks, so it is important to drive each nail down correctly. You want to put about four nails in each shingle. This is standard. While it may seem like more nails would add security, this can actually stop the shingles from shifting with the weather changes. You can then end up with ripped shingles or wavy folds.
