How to Avoid Fastener Failure

Fastener failure happens. Machinery vibrations and heavy use are the primary causes of fastener failure, but poor installation of staples and nails can exacerbate the problem. Fastener failure is a common cause of leaks and deterioration of exterior structures, but most failures can be avoided.

The best way is by using BECK’s patented Diamond Coated Fasteners—they are designed not to fail. They have a proprietary coating composition that stops staple and nail failure before it begins, by controlling friction and destroying fewer wood fibers. But first, let’s investigate the causes of fastener failure and then review the solutions.

What Causes Fastener Failure?

Before you can stop the problem of fastener failure, you must first understand why and how it happens. Structures like fencing and metal roofing rely on fasteners to hold themselves together. Over time, exposure to the elements can have an effect on structures. For example, temperature changes cause structures to expand and contrast, while precipitation causes the deterioration of certain materials. Below are some of the most common reasons that fasteners fail.

• Vibrations. Structures may look stationary, but they do shift, move and vibrate in subtle ways over time. Wind causes some of this to occur, while temperature changes are another source of movement in structures. Staples and nails that aren't installed properly may wiggle, causing gaps to appear between the wood and the threads. Over time, this leads the fastener to become loose.
• Deterioration. Rust and corrosion due to environmental factors and exposure to precipitation can weaken poorly-made fasteners. This is a common cause of fastener failure.
• Installation error. If staples and nails aren't properly installed, they won’t hold your build together properly, leading to weakened areas down the road.
• Manufacturing error. Fasteners must be made precisely to spec, and those that aren't are likely to fail due to irregularities in their shape or configuration.
• Wrong choice of hardware. All structures rely on the expertise of the user to ensure that the proper hardware is selected for every job. Hardware that is mismatched for the task at hand is more likely to be overburdened and will fail.

How to Stop Fastener Failure

There is no completely failsafe method to prevent fastener failure, especially given that some fastener failure is caused by user error, but there are ways to reduce instances of failure. The best way is the inspection of fasteners when they're installed, and then again on a regular basis. This process can help catch fasteners that were incorrectly installed or that are vulnerable to failure for other reasons. This can be time-consuming, but worth it in the finished product.

The Best Option to Avoid Fastener Failure

Use of BECK’s Diamond Coated Fasteners—including some of our SCRAIL® fasteners—is your best bet for preventing fastener failure. Our diamond coating is a new innovation in fastener technology that reduces friction between the fastener and the wood structure. This means fewer wood fibers are destroyed during the installation of the fastener, resulting in a more stable hold on the wood structure.

Diamond Coated Fasteners also require reduced operator effort and slightly less powerful tools. This means less strain on the wrists, less wear on the tool, and easier penetration in tough situations like frozen wood and very hard wood. The best part? To help you in many of your building needs, this coating can be applied to more than 30,000 of our staples and nails—so BECK can bring this strength to a wide variety of builds. Click below to learn more about the benefits!