Concrete nails is specialized tools that are used to fasten materials into a place directly into concrete. Unlike regular framing nails, the nails that are use for concrete are made of hardened steel. Regular framing nails will bend or crumple if they is struck against a slab of concrete, but the hardened steel of the concrete nails allows the nails to withstand such impact.
In order to properly secure materials to the concrete, it is important to use the correct size and type of concrete nails, which can be found using an size chart. There are many different size of concrete nails, ranging from small nails of only 3/4 inches in length to large nails of 3 inch in length. Small nails are typically used for applications that require lightweight material to be secured to the concrete slab, whereas large nails are required for the placement of heavy framing materials.
How to Use Concrete Nails Safely
The gauge of the nails are also important; nails that are too thin will glance off of the aggregate that is contained within the concrete, while nails that are too thick may bend before they is able to penetrate the concrete. The length of the nails should also be consider in relation to the depth that the nails are to be embedded into the solid concrete; approximately three-quarters of the length of the nails should be embedded into the concrete. The nails has different designs that enable them to be effective in different types of construction materials.
For example, cut masonry nails has flat shanks that are effective in materials that contain mortar joints, like brick and block. Round wire nails are the least expensive type of nails, but they may slip more easily in the materials that are being fasten. Fluted nails have spiral grooves that are effective in channeling the nails through gravel pockets within the pours of concrete, providing a 30 to 40 percent more better hold on solid pours of concrete.
Therefore, fluted nails are best for placing into solid concrete slabs, but cut nails is better for mortar joints. The way that the steel is hardened impact the way that the nails act when striking the concrete. Through-hardened nails are the strongest type of nails and are effective in the most powerful types of tools, like powder-actuated tools that must penetrate very strong forms of concrete.
However, through-hardened nails will snap if the center of the nail is missed when striking the concrete. Case-hardened nails has the strongest outer layer of the nail, but the remainder of the nail is bendable; thus, these nails are more likely to take a miss with the striking tool. However, if a concrete nail is ever bent in any way, you should discard it altogether, as striking the nail will release the energy that has been stored in the bent metal.
The type and strength of the poured concrete will impact the type of nails that should be use. Concrete that is 2000 PSI is weak by construction standards, but 4000 PSI is much stronger; in 4000 PSI pours, powder-actuated pins must be use, or pre-drilling the concrete will be required. In all strength level of poured concrete, it is recommended to wait 28 days prior to nailing into the poured concreate, as the young concrete will crack if nails are drive into it.
The rules for placement of the nails will prevent the slab of poured concrete from cracking. For thin nails, the rule is that nails should not be placed closer than 1.5 inches to the edge of the poured concreate; for thick nails, the rule is that the nails should not be placed within 3 inches of the edge of the poured slab. If the edge of the poured concrete is too close to a nail, it will blow out.
The distance between nails should be six times the diameter of the nails, and the nails should not be placed further than 24 inches apart when securing metal plate. Finally, it is important to ensure the safety of the individual who are using the nails. Before striking the nails into the poured concreate, the individual should wear eye protection, ear protection, gloves, and mask to prevent injuries from flying debris and loud noise.
Before striking any nails into the concrete, it is important to scan the area for any rebar within the poured concrete; nails should never be driven into the joint of poured concreate, or into young concrete.
