Cutting off protruding roofing nails - Damage roofing?

[JRobyn]

Hi guys,

So I'm decking in a nice big section of attic (8' x 15') with a sloped roof over it ranging from about 4ft to 12ft high. In the lower areas, I'm thinking of cutting off any protruding roofing nails using a thin cutoff wheel in a disc grinder. Obviously, the nail shafts will very briefly get quite hot, so I'm worried about the heat damaging the roof shingles or their underlayment. I'm not sure if the underlayment is roofing felt or plastic membrane or both. I think just felt. The roofers used some heavy poly membrane, but I think that was only under the tin, and this part of the roof is all shingle.

The decking is nice thick 23/32" Plytanium, so it should provide a decent heat sink.

Anybody done this? Any roofers out there with an opinion? How much chance is there of any heat damage?

- Jay

 

[Rock knocker]

Go for it.

 

[hosspuller]

Right after cutting the nail, hold a wet rag on the stub. It'll draw off most of the heat.

 

[Gary Fowler]

There is not enough heat generated to worry about. You can just about hold one in your hand after cutting it with a thin disk. It will never get hot enough to melt asphalt.
GO FOR IT>

 

[oosik]

If you are still worried about the heat - use a large side cutting pair of pliers. There are special types with angled jaws made just for that type job.

 

[newbury]

If this is just to keep from sticking your body parts on the nails, what about just "wacking" them so the ends fold over? This way there is less chance of nails "working loose".

 

[JRobyn]

If this is just to keep from sticking your body parts on the nails, what about just "wacking" them so the ends fold over? This way there is less chance of nails "working loose".

That was my first inclination, but unless they are REALLY whacked flat, doing this still leaves a dangerous point exposed, and I figured that whacking them really flat would actually put a lot of vibration/motion into the head of the nail where I least want it, especially risking that I actually drive them back out enough to raise the nail heads. A quick cut should disturb the nail shaft very little (except for the heat). I thought of a mechanical cutter/nipper too, but a lot of what I'm concerned about are nails that are broken out the side of the rafters where the framers missed getting them centered. These are hard to get cut clean, but with the disk, I can cut and buff them flat or slightly recessed against the rafter.

- Jay

 

[dave1949]

Covering the nails would be an alternative to cutting. You could rip pieces of 1" styrofoam on a table saw to fit between the rafters. The protruding nails will help hold it in place, there are also adhesives for foam that come in std. caulking tubes. Or, there is spray foam insulation to consider--if that works with your other insulation and vapor barrier situation.

Of the cutting methods, the cut-off wheel sounds the best to me.

 

[ultrarunner]

I mostly use oversize end cutters... not much exposed after that.

 

[Jstpssng]

I believe that this
Pliers - Channellock 10 Cutting Nipper Plier-148-10

is the proper tool for the job. At least that's what it was designed for.