Technical Questions Service/Maintenance
Have a question about the pressure treated lumber changes? Here are some frequently asked questions. If your particular question isn’t answered, send us an e-mail.
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Q: What kind of fasteners are wood preservatives companies recommending for use in ACQ or other non-arsenate based treated lumber?
A: Wood preservative companies are recommending Hot Dipped Galvanized or Stainless steel fasteners.
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Q: How will I know if my pressure treated lumber is non-arsenate based?
A: ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) is one type of wood material that is non-arsenate based treated lumber. CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) is arsenate based treated lumber. If you are unsure, you will need to check with your lumber retailer.
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Q: Will all SENCO nails work with non-arsenate based pressure treated lumber?
A: Only our stainless steel and our hot dipped galvanized fasteners are recommended for use in non-arsenate based pressure treated lumber.
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Q: What is the cheapest nail I can use with ACQ and other non-arsenate based pressure treated lumber and get away with it?
A: When comparing fastener to fastener, hot dipped galvanized fasteners will be the lowest cost recommended for use in non-arsenate based pressure treated lumber. However, for the highest level of corrosion resistance, SENCO recommends stainless steel fasteners.
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Q: Can I use your Weatherex® fasteners?
A: SENCO will continue to offer an array of Weatherex® (electro-galvanized) fasteners for use in less demanding environments and applications, including applications using CCA (arsenate based) product. In these applications, our Weatherex® products work quite well. However, SENCO does not recommend the use of our Weatherex® fasteners when using ACQ or other non-arsenate based treated materials.
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Q: What is SENCO guaranteeing?
A: SENCO only guarantees that our fasteners fit the tools indicated on the fastener label. Due to the variable weather conditions, materials and manner in which the fasteners are driven in the application, we cannot guarantee against corrosion.
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Q: Are there structural issues with hot dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners when used in ACQ or other non-arsenate treated lumber?
A: To our knowledge, there is no information available at this time to indicate any structural integrity issues. However, testing continues. If information becomes available at a later point, SENCO will analyze the data and make the appropriate announcement to the market.
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Q: Where can I get your fasteners that you are recommending for ACQ or other non-Arsenate treated lumber?
A: You may purchase SENCO branded hot dipped galvanized and stainless steel fasteners at any retailer or lumberyard who sells SENCO branded products. You may also visit our web site at www.senco.com to find the retail outlet nearest you.
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Q: You are recommending hot dipped galvanized fasteners, but you do not have any available. When will you have stainless steel and hot dipped galvanized fasteners available? What tools will these recommended fasteners fit?
A: We are currently targeting January 2004 for availability of most of our stainless steel and hot dipped galvanized fasteners. Given the increasing demand for these fasteners, we are working diligently to make them available earlier. These fasteners are engineered to fit a variety of SENCO nailers and staplers as well as non-SENCO tools. Check the fastener carton label for information on compatibility with specific tools.
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Q: What will happen if I use a non-recommended fastener in ACQ or other non-arsenate treated lumber?
A: You will incur a much higher risk of red rust or corrosion attacking and ultimately covering the exposed portion of the fastener, and even staining the wood surface around the fastener. Due to variations in environment, fastener coatings, and wood chemical content, it is impossible to predict how soon this will occur.
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Q: What is the "white stuff" I see after a period of time when using hot dipped galvanized fasteners?
A: What you are seeing is the zinc in the galvanization coating reacting to the external environments and protecting the steel under the coating. While you may think it is unsightly, this is actually a good thing and the galvanization is doing its job.
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Q: What is the best product to use with ACQ or non-arsenate treated lumber?
A: The best fastener to use is a stainless steel fastener with a 304 grade level or higher. All SENCO stainless steel fasteners meet this requirement.
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