Nails Sticking Out of Wood

[Mr Bungle]

I had my roof done recently and I just noticed the nails go all the way through the roof and wood below and they stick out on the bottom end. It looks awful. You can really see them sticking out when you are standing on the porch. My neighbors roof doesn't look like this. Was this done incorrectly? The inspector didn't say anything. How can this be fixed? Thanks!

[mjpliv]

If the underside of the roof deck is exposed to people's view then the contractor should have taken steps to prevent nail penetration. Anywhere else on the roof would not matter.

[Mr Bungle]

If the underside of the roof deck is exposed to people's view then the contractor should have taken steps to prevent nail penetration. Anywhere else on the roof would not matter.

It's exposed to people's view. Does anyone know how this can be fixed?

[mjpliv]

How is the exposed surface finished? Do you have any digital picturesyou can post to the forum for us to have a look at?

[Tom R]

If I'm understanding your post correctly, your talking about seeing 'nail penetration' under your 'exposed rafter' overhangs? I don't really know what the roofer could have done about that except charge you more to put a 'finished soffit' underneath. I believe the minimum length of roofing nail that should be used for a single layer of shingles is 1 1/4". Your roof sheathing is probably about 3/4" thick, leaving about 3/8" of nail exposed, or 5/8" exposed if he used 1 1/2" nails. If he used shorter nails than he was supposed to, you'd be calling him back when the shingles blow off. He came to do a roof - - your soffit area was undone when he got there and undone when he left. This one's on you.

[Mr Bungle]

How is the exposed surface finished? Do you have any digital picturesyou can post to the forum for us to have a look at?

It's painted. No I don't have a digital camera. I'll have to take a picture with my camera and scan it.

[Mr Bungle]

If I'm understanding your post correctly, your talking about seeing 'nail penetration' under your 'exposed rafter' overhangs? I don't really know what the roofer could have done about that except charge you more to put a 'finished soffit' underneath. I believe the minimum length of roofing nail that should be used for a single layer of shingles is 1 1/4". Your roof sheathing is probably about 3/4" thick, leaving about 3/8" of nail exposed, or 5/8" exposed if he used 1 1/2" nails. If he used shorter nails than he was supposed to, you'd be calling him back when the shingles blow off. He came to do a roof - - your soffit area was undone when he got there and undone when he left. This one's on you.

The nails are penetrating the exposed rafters. You can see it on the porch really well. What is a 'finished soffit' ? Thanks for the help.

[Tom R]

A 'finished soffit' is usually plywood or vinyl that is attached to the underside of your rafter tails to 'box in' your overhang area. The 'vertical' area on the 'outside edge' of your rafter tails is usually covered with 'fascia', usually a 1 X 6 pine that's painted (the 'fascia' is what your gutter would attach to - - if you don't have one your gutter would attach right to the end of your rafter tails). So in other words, if you've got 'shingles' on top, 'fascia' on the ouside edge, and 'soffit' underneath, your overhang is 'boxed in'.