Had my roof done a couple years ago and was looking around the other day and saw the "silicone" on the nail heads that are exposed on the ridge vent caps is peeling off. What should I use to cover them back up? I have read Geocel, NP1 and Solar Seal are good. Do we have a roofer with an opinion? I live in southwest VA.
Best Caulking for Exposed Nail Heads on Roof
- Thread starter Gebo
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On the ridge? When I cap a ridge there are no nail heads exposed. Even if there were, the chances of a ridge leaking is slim.
Originally Posted By: andyd
On the ridge? When I cap a ridge there are no nail heads exposed. Even if there were, the chances of a ridge leaking is slim.
I understand. The exposed nail heads are on the one end of the ridge caps. I guess it was either the first shingle or last shingle they installed. I don't know.
What product can I cover them with that will not pull off?
Clear silicone is what looks like was put on them and it has come unstuck.
On the ridge? When I cap a ridge there are no nail heads exposed. Even if there were, the chances of a ridge leaking is slim.
I understand. The exposed nail heads are on the one end of the ridge caps. I guess it was either the first shingle or last shingle they installed. I don't know.
What product can I cover them with that will not pull off?
Clear silicone is what looks like was put on them and it has come unstuck.
I've used "Rain Buster" and "Through the Roof" with good results. Both were recommended by a roofer.
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Lexel is what we recommended at the building supply. Everybody had positive reviews on it. I've used successfully on metal roofing screws where the rubber was dry rotting.
Henry's Roofing Cement.
Kestas
Staff member
I heard from one professional that uses roofing tar, then follows up by sprinkling granules he finds in the gutter.
I've used this stuff before to re-attach a couple shingle tabs that had broken off. And to cover some roofing nails. Found it easy to work with and held those shingles tight until time for new roof. I did also sprinkle some old roof gravel on top of it to blend it in. I highly recommend it.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/17/26/p...ing-Sealant.htm
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/17/26/p...ing-Sealant.htm
Originally Posted By: wayne50
What Kestas said. On a shingle, I use the roofing tar and granules. Put down the tar, smooth it, sprinkle granules, and pat down.
For a nail through metal, I still use the silicone caulk.
But this exposed nail head in asphalt shingles. The "silicone" ain't sticking.
What Kestas said. On a shingle, I use the roofing tar and granules. Put down the tar, smooth it, sprinkle granules, and pat down.
For a nail through metal, I still use the silicone caulk.
But this exposed nail head in asphalt shingles. The "silicone" ain't sticking.
I'm with Vern and Sayjac - urethane caulk has superb adhesion, flex, and durability characteristics. It's just a tiny bit less user friendly than other choices.
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index...84-6c8ad72703db Right on Vern. I don't think you will find a better product for your application. Polyurethane is hard to beat for what you are trying to do.
PL® Polyurethane Roof & Flashing Sealant
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index...84-6c8ad72703db Right on Vern. I don't think you will find a better product for your application. Polyurethane is hard to beat for what you are trying to do.
PL® Polyurethane Roof & Flashing Sealant
Originally Posted By: Gebo
Originally Posted By: andyd
On the ridge? When I cap a ridge there are no nail heads exposed. Even if there were, the chances of a ridge leaking is slim.
I understand. The exposed nail heads are on the one end of the ridge caps. I guess it was either the first shingle or last shingle they installed. I don't know.
What product can I cover them with that will not pull off?
Clear silicone is what looks like was put on them and it has come unstuck.
A good roofer will not use silicone...they will typically use roofing cement.
They will also have exposed nails on their last piece of hip or ridge cap because they have seen the effects of wind damage. The typical practice for an asphalt or fiberglass shingle roof is to cut the final piece of cap below the tar line where the color changes...basically cut the tab in half. This results is a final piece of cap that will be nailed in all four corners and those nail heads will be exposed. This is how you prevent the wind from ripping it off, by using four nails, one per corner. It is also important that they use a longer nail in this final piece because it has the most layers to penetrate. (Many roofers do not bother and then their nails start to float about 10 years later).
Roofing cement such as Henry's is then placed below this final cap where the four nails will penetrate and then the four exposed nailheads are also coated with the cement.
I do quite a bit of repair work on multiple types of roofing. I only hand nail. I do not use a nail gun for any roof repair and I do not recommend a nail gun is used for hip and ridge cap. The gun cannot adjust the force properly and can penetrate too far into the shingle and this results in a tear and potential leaker. This is particularly true on a re-roof over an existing old roof.
But I agree with one of the earlier posters who stated that a ridge cap nail is not likely to be exposed to much water. since it usually has no watershed above it.
The greater concern is wind.
Originally Posted By: andyd
On the ridge? When I cap a ridge there are no nail heads exposed. Even if there were, the chances of a ridge leaking is slim.
I understand. The exposed nail heads are on the one end of the ridge caps. I guess it was either the first shingle or last shingle they installed. I don't know.
What product can I cover them with that will not pull off?
Clear silicone is what looks like was put on them and it has come unstuck.
A good roofer will not use silicone...they will typically use roofing cement.
They will also have exposed nails on their last piece of hip or ridge cap because they have seen the effects of wind damage. The typical practice for an asphalt or fiberglass shingle roof is to cut the final piece of cap below the tar line where the color changes...basically cut the tab in half. This results is a final piece of cap that will be nailed in all four corners and those nail heads will be exposed. This is how you prevent the wind from ripping it off, by using four nails, one per corner. It is also important that they use a longer nail in this final piece because it has the most layers to penetrate. (Many roofers do not bother and then their nails start to float about 10 years later).
Roofing cement such as Henry's is then placed below this final cap where the four nails will penetrate and then the four exposed nailheads are also coated with the cement.
I do quite a bit of repair work on multiple types of roofing. I only hand nail. I do not use a nail gun for any roof repair and I do not recommend a nail gun is used for hip and ridge cap. The gun cannot adjust the force properly and can penetrate too far into the shingle and this results in a tear and potential leaker. This is particularly true on a re-roof over an existing old roof.
But I agree with one of the earlier posters who stated that a ridge cap nail is not likely to be exposed to much water. since it usually has no watershed above it.
The greater concern is wind.
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Originally Posted By: Linctex
Wow.... clear silicone?!? Someone was working on the cheap.
Exactly...or they didn't know better.
Alot of guys never came up in the trades these days. They never were an apprentice. They just bought a tool belt and started roofing.
Or they are carpenters first and foremost.
To be a good roofer, you must become one with the elements. You must become a single rain drop and think about how you are going to get past that roof and into the attic....Lol.
Wow.... clear silicone?!? Someone was working on the cheap.
Exactly...or they didn't know better.
Alot of guys never came up in the trades these days. They never were an apprentice. They just bought a tool belt and started roofing.
Or they are carpenters first and foremost.
To be a good roofer, you must become one with the elements. You must become a single rain drop and think about how you are going to get past that roof and into the attic....Lol.
Let's be easy. I was the guy that covered the nail heads. I used some of that 50 year silicone caulking figuring it would outlast my shingles. I had it on hand and was only covering the few exposed nail heads. I didn't know it wouldn't stick. Confession is good for the soul.
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