Mechanical roof screws or fasteners are mainly used to secure a roof’s membrane and ensure its proper installation. Fasteners are available in a variety of sizes and builds. Most of them being made of hardened carbon steel or stainless steel. Fasteners/screws are used to fasten metal structures or structures that are made of plastic, fibreglass or wood.
There are some things that people should keep in their mind when it comes to installing roof fasteners to make sure that they last long:
- Making sure that the screws are placed in an appropriate position for a tighter fit.
- Screws should be not installed inside the rib of the roof panels, as placing a screw in there will make it much more susceptible of pulling out due to high speed winds.
- Choosing the right screw with the right specification of chemical coating.
- Choosing the proper size of roofing fasteners.
Installing the fastener on top of the high ridges of the roof, so that the rain water runs down to the lower part of the roof. - Choosing the right plan for laying out screws on the roof.
Fasteners usually have a chemical coating on top, which protects them from extremities such as dust, water and wind. Corrosion, however, remains to be the main culprit when it comes to screws losing their structural integrity over time. Therefore, builders and owners apply a zinc coating on the roof fasteners as its front line of defence against rust.
Choosing the right roof fastener makes a whole lot of difference, as roofing screws are of two kinds; one is a drill point and the other is a sharp point. Drill point screws are used to fasten metal structures, and sharp point fasteners are used to fasten wood structures.
Applying roof fasteners is a meticulous task as one needs to pay attention to various minute details that may end up being disastrous if left unchecked. Therefore, One needs to make sure that the fasteners accommodate for the expansion and contraction of the metal, as without such accommodations the fasteners will most definitely come loose and the roof will start developing wavy spots.
It is important to check on the roof fasteners at least twice a year to inspect for any potential movements or sealant failures. Inspection is especially important if the screws are exposed. One should also make sure that the screws are in proper place and are tight. Leakage from the roof is one of the prominent signs that the screws might have gotten use, and in most cases it may only require refastening them to stop any further leaks.
Roof fasteners must include good sealants, as sealants may fail due to roof panel or fasteners movement. Thoroughly checking for tightness, discolouration, breakage or corrosion is a must to ensure screw’s long life.
Replacing the roof fastener with a new one is the only way to hold the roof panels in place after fasteners get damaged, and one shouldn’t use nails in place of fasteners when replacing damaged screws as they are much more susceptible towards breakage.
For more details and information about different kinds of fasteners be sure check out; Screw Expert , as they are one of the leading Industrial Screws manufacturers, suppliers & exporters. They provide a wide range of products in regular as well as in metric shapes and specifications.