Nails in roof Decking

Originally Posted By: dglass
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I am new to this so here goes…


I was performing an attic inspection where the plywood of the roof decking was visible, there were numerous nails puching through the plywood from nailing the shingles on… to me it poses a leaking threat, however the house is about 10 years old and there are no visible signs of leaks anywhere, odd.


Is this common or is it worh getting someone more qualified to look at.[/b]


Originally Posted By: dvalley
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David,


Welcome to NACHI.

Those nails you see protruding the decking are perfectly normal. The roof will not leak. Expect to see nails protruding at least 1/2" in every roof sheathing you inspect. It's when you do not see nails is when there is an issue, as they are not long enough to hold roofing material.


--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

Originally Posted By: clawrenson
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This is quite common. My tip though is looking for the “uncommon” ones where leaks or evidence of leaks proves otherwise.


Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Also, I forgot to mention…


You may want to put your questions in the proper forum, next time.

This is the Electrical forum.


--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

Originally Posted By: jsieg
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I think we are in the wrong forum for roofing but we all know how that goes.


I will most likely be slammed by someone if I'm slightly wrong in this statement because I don't have any code books to ref.

I think that the code states that the nails for the shingles need to be long enough that they can penetrate through the roofing boards by ?" to ?". If I remember the ?" is more correct.

O.K. I'm ready now for all the attacks now. ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)


Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Jason,


That's what I said...![](upload://gsLxWjRnp5GyE8SKolI6xnofWtZ.gif)


--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

Originally Posted By: jsieg
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David we must have been posting about the same time… You beat me to the punch.


Originally Posted By: dglass
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Sorry i posted in the wrong forum, like i said i’m new.


Originally Posted By: dandersen
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Nails are supposed to pass through the sub-roof. If they do not, it’s wrong!


Welcome aboard. ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)


Originally Posted By: pabernathy
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yeppers…seems well covered here but as another note I actually look at these nails on a radom evaluation of them to notice possible rusting and it also helps a little in knowing the layers as you can see older nails versus newer ones and so on and the total number of them…still need to look at the eaves and so on to determine the layers but helps in the overall investigation to keep in mind the number of nails you see…other than that it is normal…


Now....go tell a homeowner the nails are 2mm longer than 1/2" and see what the agent says to you..tehehehhe...just kidding but yes that is normal....if you see shorter than what has been stated and some longer ones...again a sign of multiple layers possibly also.


--
Paul W. Abernathy- NACHI Certified
Electrical Service Specialists
Licensed Master Electrician
Electrical Contractor
President of NACHI Central Virginia Chapter
NEC Instructor
Moderator @ Doityourself.com
Visit our website- www.electrical-ess.com

Originally Posted By: jkormos
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Welcome David, there would be a concern for moisture intrusion if there was evidence of Face Nailing on the shingles. Other wise nails through the decking normal, that is why a take along a hard hat for the attic inspection.


Joe


Originally Posted By: Jay Moge
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dglass wrote:
I am new to this so here goes....
I was performing an attic inspection where the plywood of the roof decking was visible, there were numerous nails puching through the plywood from nailing the shingles on... to me it poses a leaking threat, however the house is about 10 years old and there are no visible signs of leaks anywhere, odd.
Is this common or is it worh getting someone more qualified to look at.[/b]



not to be rude, but to me that seems pretty basic of any one who has enough knowlage and experience to become a home inspector. sorry to ask this, David, but what's your background?. mines general knowlage, i know a little about alot, and alot about a little. some of these guys are electricians looking at carpentry and plumbing or any variation there of. hope your in this for the right reasons. and lastly, welcome. this place is awesome, i learn alot here, and so will you. ![icon_cool.gif](upload://oPnLkqdJc33Dyf2uA3TQwRkfhwd.gif)