Remove old nails when replacing roof?

Lee91320

Do you need to take out the old nails when you put down new asphalt shingles? My mom says that a roofer told her that her shingles were lifting due to the nails pushing up out of the roof. He didn't say why this would happen. We assume it is from heat/cold in attic. If he is right, then all the old nails need to be removed when you re-roof. Which sounds impossible. Is this right?

CopperClad

You want a flat smooth surface when reapplying felt/shingles. All of the old roofing nails should be pulled out/banged in. If the old shingles were lifting up there are numerous things that could have caused that. After removing the old shingles you need to make sure that the plywood/boards are in good shape. If there is any rot it needs to be replaced or else the roofing nails won't hold and will pull up. It is possible that the old nails were too short and that is why they pulled up. Pulling the nails is far from impossible, nothing a claw hammer, or catspaw can't take care of. If you have a steep pitched roof I never recommend this as a DIY job though, better to leave it to the professionals who walk those roofs on a daily basis.