Goofed roof. Need advice

[Todd.Brock]

So...i'm building this shed. I may have thought the nice line across the shingles was for alignment of the next course. So I nailed the shingles high so they dont hit the top of the previous course. I now know its a nail line. I couldn't read the wrapper instructions because they were shredded from sliding around and the gallon of paint on it. ( shingles in wheelbarrow with paint can that hit ground first followed by 3 bundles to smash the can and dump on driveway). Bad day all around. Below are two pics to show what I mean if you align with nailing strip and see how little of previous course sits above the nail line. Owens Corning said pull them off and redo. Another roofer said lift up and nail at line. The shingles have been down a week in hot weather do the are pretty sealed up. So.... Should I peel up a bit and use some adhesive roofing tar or say screw it and wait for the big storm? So frustrated with this thing. I put in 6 nails per shingle if it helps. Thanks for listening. Don't beat me up, did that already.

 

[Bob C]

Save yourself more grief. Just start over.

 

[srmofo]

well, you can replace the shingles now, or the entire roof later when it starts to leak, plus waterever damage that may occur as a result of a leaky roof.

I would put 3 nails on the line. If done correctly the 3 nails on the next row will also hit the previous row.

A roofing hammer can help you line the rows up quicker and help keep them straight. Just dont loose the pin, those little bastards are getting hard to find in my local box stores.

 

[Trainman]

IMO, I'd leave it and see if problems develop. I'm betting you won't have any. From the last picture, it looks like each shingle is overlapped enough so the shingle on top would seal with the course below at the strip of tar on the surface of the bottom shingle, so it will probably be wind resistant. And from the looks of the shed in the first picture, you're going to be the only one (other than everyone on GJ) who will know you screwed up.

 

[carhunter]

From the pics you posted, it doesn't show. You're lucky that, being 3d shingles, they naturally distract the eye.
If anyone ever notices it, you can claim its done that way on purpose...Mumble something about windshear loading and frost edging, then change the subject.

 

[BD1]

Lay another layer over them ? Or, just do the nail heads with roof cement.

 

[fury9]

You put six nails per shingle, How far above the nail line did you put them on the shingle? In all reality your shingles are only about 3/8, if that, higher than they should be. You will be fine. Did you use felt paper?

 

[bczygan]

It's OK.

 

[JasonW]

If I understand what you are saying, you aligned the shingles on the line and thus nailed each new course 1 or 2 inches above that line just missing the top of the shingle in the course below it.

If that is your 'technique', then here are my thoughts. These architectural shingles are typically engineered to withstand higher winds (+/-70 mph). In your installation, you have defeated that engineering and thus it would seem your roof could be expected to withstand winds equal to or slightly greater than a typical roof. By increasing the exposure on the face of the shingle you may have slightly reduced the life expectancy of the roof, it really depends how far back you held it. If the top shingle substantially overhangs the double thick portion of the lower shingle then this is a very minor issue. The only other issue I can think of is one of appearance and if you are happy with it, what does it matter.

So, it appears to be a shed, not your house and the likelihood of premature failure seems low unless you expect it to be subjected high winds. Would it have been better to have done it per the instructions, yes, but I can't see it being a big deal, especially if the tabs are already well stuck together. If it were mine, I would just keep an eye on it.

If on the other hand, what you mean is you nailed along the top edge of the shingle rather than in the middle, then I think you may be in for trouble. It would really depend upon its wind exposure.

 

[green.bubbly]

I am not a roof expert but I think you are fine. The nails are covered by the next course and you are not missing any tar strips. I honestly can not find any reason to rip them off and start over other than for cosmetic purposes but even then, it does not look that bad.

My opinion is to find something else to lose sleep over.

 

[Rust]

So, the shingles are set a half inch high on the white nail strip, exposing a few nails.
No big deal, where sealing is concerned. Grab a caulking tube of roofing cement/tar and dab the nail heads. If you didnt nail on or close to the line gently lift the shingle with a flat bar or putty knife and re-nail. Learn from the experience and chalk it up to knowledge. done.

I'm no expert aside from the 25+ years i've been shingling

 

[Wadd2]

Ok, as a contractor here is my advice. Since it is a small shed you could probably leave it until you have problems or if you do depending on wind, and also what you're going to put in it. Your are supposed to slide the shingle down the other 3/8 or so and line the bottom of the next row up with the top of the laminated notch in the last row. The purpose of nailing on that line is so that when you nail a row it also nails the TOP of the previous row so the shinles are actually held down with two rows of nails. If you nail too high then you miss the top of the previous row and each row is only held on by one row of nails and tar. If you want it done right like it's supposed to be, you need to redo it however. If you're putting something in there that just can't get wet, you'd better do it over.

 

[1500hd]

Ok, as a contractor here is my advice. Since it is a small shed you could probably leave it until you have problems or if you do depending on wind, and also what you're going to put in it. Your are supposed to slide the shingle down the other 3/8 or so and line the bottom of the next row up with the top of the laminated notch in the last row. The purpose of nailing on that line is so that when you nail a row it also nails the TOP of the previous row so the shinles are actually held down with two rows of nails. If you nail too high then you miss the top of the previous row and each row is only held on by one row of nails and tar. If you want it done right like it's supposed to be, you need to redo it however. If you're putting something in there that just can't get wet, you'd better do it over.

Agree, it really depends where the nails are. If not in both layers of each shingle, I would tear off and replace. How many bundles are we talking about?

 

[PT Doc]

That's a small roof. Tear it down and do it right. It's just that simple. I wouldn't be comfortable with the Binfordized roof. Use this as a fairly cheap lesson.

 

[BillK]

That's a small roof. Tear it down and do it right. It's just that simple. I wouldn't be comfortable with the Binfordized roof. Use this as a fairly cheap lesson.

I agree 100% I think you know that is the right answer

 

[Falcon67]

For a shed? Leave it, especially if they are sticking to each other. If your nails are note right above the seal line, then maybe tear off.

 

[Todd.Brock]

The nails are about three inches above the line. The nails are all covered by the next course up. Since I didn't nail on the line, it didn't catch the top of the previous row. There is 15 lb felt underneath.

 

[srmofo]

you live fairly close to me, so I know you've experienced a few of these freak windstorms that have being coming through.

As long as the nails heads are not exposed, I think I would let it go for now and plan on doing it in a few years, or when the next big wind storm comes through and rips a few of them off. Just keep an eye on things so you dont develop a bigger problem because you are missing a few

 

[RECox286]

OK, it's a shed. You have wasted several bundles of shingles, so as

long as there is nothing in the shed that can be damaged

by water, call it a lesson well learned, and don't worry about it until the

roof fails. At least it is a small roof, and not one that will take a lot of

time to redo properly when it does (and not if) fail.

It will be very evident when it does fail, especially if it is a fiberglass vs

asphalt shingle.

Bad judgement gives us experience. Experience gives us good judgement.

Have a nice day.

Uncle Bob

 

[TommyK]

so, the shingles are set a half inch high on the white nail strip, exposing a few nails.
No big deal, where sealing is concerned. Grab a caulking tube of roofing cement/tar and dab the nail heads. If you didnt nail on or close to the line gently lift the shingle with a flat bar or putty knife and re-nail. Learn from the experience and chalk it up to knowledge. Done.

I'm no expert aside from the 25+ years i've been shingling

^^^this^^^

 

[NUTTSGT]

So, the shingles are set a half inch high on the white nail strip, exposing a few nails.
No big deal, where sealing is concerned. Grab a caulking tube of roofing cement/tar and dab the nail heads. If you didnt nail on or close to the line gently lift the shingle with a flat bar or putty knife and re-nail. Learn from the experience and chalk it up to knowledge. done.

I'm no expert aside from the 25+ years i've been shingling

you live fairly close to me, so I know you've experienced a few of these freak windstorms that have being coming through.

As long as the nails heads are not exposed, I think I would let it go for now and plan on doing it in a few years, or when the next big wind storm comes through and rips a few of them off. Just keep an eye on things so you dont develop a bigger problem because you are missing a few

I'd agree with both of these posts. If it was my house and not a shed, I'd tear it off and reshingle it. Unless you are doing something spectacular in there, I'd leave it as long as the nail heads are covered.

Just watch it to make sure there are no problems and learn from the mistake.

 

[Graham08]

Not knowing any better, I did the same thing as the OP on the roof at my old shop. In seven years, none of the shingles have come off, and there are no leaks.

If it was my shed, I would stop beating myself up, and leave it the way it is. It looks great!

 

[JimVonBaden]

The nails are about three inches above the line. The nails are all covered by the next course up. Since I didn't nail on the line, it didn't catch the top of the previous row. There is 15 lb felt underneath.

It's a shed, and your nails are covered. Leave it. it will be fine.

Jim

 

[Herb]

In the future, if there is a problem, instead of tearing off all the shingles, just put a second layer on top. Why waste the time and energy doing a tear off?