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Writer's pictureJohn@LiteHouse

What Do We Mean By Exposed Fasteners On The Roof?

Updated: Jan 25, 2023

For many of our home inspections in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas, we often comment on exposed fasteners on the roof.


Usually these fasteners are covered with a caulking or sealant and it is a common condition used by many roofers to complete their jobs.


But is it correct and what should we do about it?

Exposed nail at a Cincinnati home inspection
Exposed nail at a Cincinnati home inspection

We often see this done to fasten the last cap shingle or to secure flashings to the roof. In most cases, the roofers should have tried to cover the fasteners with the roofing material.




How to maintain the sealant


Although it is common to find this type of sealant on roof fasteners, eventually, the sun and environment will cause the sealant to deteriorate or degrade over time.



Exposed fastener on skylight at a Cincinnati home inspection
Exposed fastener on skylight at a Cincinnati home inspection


 

Annual Monitoring


Every year, the homeowner should have the sealed fasteners inspected.


This is to ensure that the sealant is still viable and doing its intended job. If the sealant fails, moisture will be able to intrude into the roof deck structure and can lead to future issues including mold and material rot.



Exposed nails on roof vents at a Cincinnati home inspection.
Exposed nails on roof vents at a Cincinnati home inspection.


Reapply as Needed


If the sealant has deteriorated, it should be reapplied by a qualified person to protect and ensure the longest possible life for your roof.


At LiteHouse Services Group LLC, our licensed Ohio Home Inspectors check every roof for these conditions and more; and will report and recommend appropriate measures to protect your home. Call us today at 513-800-0347, to schedule your Cincinnati or Dayton area Home Inspection.


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