Types Of Home Fastener Failures And How They Can Be Avoided

In all homes, fasteners are very important components of the home, since they ensure that the entire structure is held together as needed. The failure of such fasteners often leads to many problems including collapse of part of the house. For this reason, it is important for one to take steps to ensure that the […]

In all homes, fasteners are very important components of the home, since they ensure that the entire structure is held together as needed. The failure of such fasteners often leads to many problems including collapse of part of the house. For this reason, it is important for one to take steps to ensure that the failure does not go unrecognized for long enough to have such problems evolve over time. One of the most effective ways of doing this is by inspecting the fasteners on a regular basis, and fixing the ones that seem to be breaking apart.

There are different ways in which such fasteners can fail, the most common of which include:

Withdrawal

This is a common type of failure, in which the fastener is gradually pulled away from the surfaces it is holding together by a force that is parallel to its shaft. The result of this is that you will end up with a fastener that is not deformed in any way, but which has come out of its hole. One of the ways of avoiding this type of failure is by making sure that the surface of the fastener is rough, so as to increase friction between it and the surfaces it is holding together. In addition to that, you should also make a point of using the right fasteners for the right application. For instance, if you are required to use Nitronic 60 screws and end up using nails instead, this is likely to lead to a withdrawal failure.

 
Shear

Shear is a type of failure that occurs when the fastener is subjected to a force that is perpendicular to its length. The result is a fastener that is broken at the point of maximum weakness, or where the greatest shearing force is concentrated. A good example of this is when you use fasteners that are not strong enough to support an object whose weight is directed perpendicularly to the fastener’s long axis. The best way to avoid this is by using a fastener that is strong enough to support the weight of whatever it is holding in place, such as titanium carriage bolts for very heavy loads. In addition to that, you should not compromise the number of bolts or other fasteners you use. Always use the recommended number, since they will all share the load.

Breakage

Sometimes, the fasteners will break in any pattern. This can be due to the presence of a load that they are not structurally capable of bearing, as well as chemical reactions such as oxidation. The latter is very common on areas with high humidity and high temperatures. To avoid it, you should consider using fasteners that are galvanized or otherwise designed to withstand corrosion.

By paying attention to the many ways in which fasteners can fail, you can then put in place measures to ensure that it never happens. If you notice that some of the fasteners in your home are suffering from the above, you will also be able to recognize this, and then take the right steps to remedy the situation.