Roofing · Workmanship
Improper nailing from the original install
High, overdriven and short nails are common on volume builds. They show up as shingles sliding or blowing off in the first big wind. If the workmanship warranty is still live, it’s a claim against the installer.
This is most common in homes built since 2000, where builder-grade installs went on quickly and the whole street tends to age, and fail, together.
1What goes wrong with the nails
| Problem | What it means | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| High nailing | Nails above the zone the manufacturer marks, so they miss the shingle below | Shingles slide down or lift as a sheet in wind |
| Overdriven nails | The nail head is driven through or deep into the shingle | Tabs tear free around the nail |
| Short nails | Not long enough to hold properly in the decking | Nails back out and shingles loosen |
| Too few nails | Fewer fasteners than the manufacturer requires | Shingles lift in wind that neighbors’ roofs handle |
2How to tell if it’s nailing
- Look at the patternShingles missing or slid out of place on a young roof after ordinary wind point to fastening, not age.
- Look at what blew offIf a shingle lands in the yard, check the nail holes. Holes high on the shingle, or none at all, tell a story.
- Compare with neighborsIf the same wind left other roofs alone, the storm probably isn’t the whole explanation.
- Have a roofer lift a few tabsA roofer can check nail placement without damaging the seal. Don’t do this yourself.
- Ask for photosGet pictures of the nails and their position. You’ll need them for any warranty claim.
3Fixing it
Do it yourself
- Find the installer’s warranty and contact them in writing
- Keep any shingles that blew off
- Photograph damage with the date
- Protect the inside if water is getting in
Hire a pro
- Confirming nail placement and length
- Re-securing or replacing loose shingles
- Deciding whether isolated repairs will hold or the roof needs more
Loose shingles slide underfoot. Lifting sealed tabs can also break the seal and make things worse. Leave the inspection to a roofer.
If nailing is wrong across the whole roof, spot repairs won’t fix it. Ask the roofer to explain in writing whether the problem is isolated or general.
4What drives the cost
If the installer’s warranty is live, the fix may be on them. Otherwise the price depends on how widespread the bad nailing is, how many shingles need replacing, whether matching shingles are available, and the roof’s pitch and height. A general nailing problem can turn a repair into a replacement.
Talk to a local roofer who will check the nailing and put it in writing before you contact the installer.
877-360-46575Questions
Will insurance pay for bad nailing?
Usually not, because it’s a workmanship issue rather than storm damage. That’s why the installer’s warranty matters.
How do I know if the warranty is still live?
Check your closing papers or ask the builder. See roof still under the manufacturer warranty.
Can it just be re-nailed?
Sometimes, in small areas. If it’s wrong across the whole roof, the roofer may recommend more.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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