Back to Blog Repairs Roof Nail Pops: What They Are, Why They Happen, and What to Do
Mark WhiteAugust 22, 20254 min read A nail pop happens when a roofing nail gradually backs out of the roof deck, pushing up through the shingle above it. You might see a small bump or even the nail head protruding through the shingle surface. Each nail pop is a potential leak point.
Nail pops are incredibly common in San Antonio, and the reason is the same thing that affects everything else on your roof: thermal cycling.
Why Nail Pops Happen
San Antonio roofs experience 75°F+ daily temperature swings in summer. This constant expansion and contraction of the roof deck creates a pumping action on nails, over thousands of cycles, nails gradually back out.
Other causes include: undersized nails used during original installation, nails driven into gaps between deck boards, green (not fully dried) lumber in trusses that shrinks as it dries, and improper nail gun pressure during installation.
Why You Shouldn't Ignore Them
A nail pop may look minor, just a small bump. But the nail has created a gap in the shingle seal, and water follows the nail shaft down into the deck. One nail pop might not cause a visible interior leak, but it's creating hidden moisture damage in the deck and underlayment.
Multiple nail pops across a roof can cause enough accumulated moisture damage to require deck replacement during your next re-roof, turning an $80 fix today into a $1,500 problem later.
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Proper nail pop repair involves: removing the protruding nail, driving a new nail adjacent to the original hole, sealing both holes with roofing cement, and pressing the shingle flat. Cost: $75-$150 for a few pops, or included as part of a regular roof maintenance visit.
Legacy offers nail pop repairs across San Antonio. Call (210) 272-7272.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
MW Mark White
Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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