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Electrogalvanized nails for 3 tab shingles?

Q. I have had catastrophic results from using this type of nail for a typical 3 tab fiberglass shingle roof, 4:12 slope. Complete failure starting at a little after two years from installation and is wide spread after 4 years. Nail heads are rusting off and allowing water to leak through the voids that are left. Problem starts at the lower elevations of the roof where the sheet flow of water is the greatest. Does not seem to be a problem in the rows nearest the peak of the roof.
I am wondering if anyone else is having this type of leak problem after using this type of nail for this purpose? Should I have not used this type of roofing nail in this application?

James Covington
Home owner - Altamonte Springs, FL, USA
February 8, 2010

February 9, 2010

A. Sir:

What you should have used is HOT DIP GALVANIZED NAILS, which have a MUCH THICKER ZINC COATING (10 to 20 times thicker zinc). In the alternative stainless steel nails would likely be even better.

Regards,

Dr. Thomas H. Cook
Galvanizing Consultant - Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA

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