Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat underwater fastners / screws vs nails

I'm starting to gather up a good deal of wood posts and other structure items for my pond. I was wondering what people used to screw/nail these things together? I currently have close to 1,000 left over deck screws which are the ceramic coated variety of all different lengths that I've accumulated over the years. I would love to use these to help fasten my structure together however I've only ever used these in above water applications. Has anyone ever used these under water to know how long they will last?

Also just saw some stainless framing nails that will likely work in one of my guns. Definitely would be faster and easier to shoot these out of a gun than screw individually but figured I would ask here if anyone knew of any cons to nailing structure together vs screwing it together?

Thanks

i would use square drive stainless steel screws. They've lasted forever here, but are a tad expensive. If you go that way, then use an impact gun, not a screwdriver. No clue why, but the screwdrivers can snap the screw in half, but the impact gun won't.

I'll give esshup credit for introducing them to me.

I only have two underwater structures, but I used stainless steel fasteners. (They have not fallen apart yet!)

If you can get stainless steel framing nails at a reasonable price to run through one of your guns, that should be a pretty good price deal after materials plus your labor time.

Thanks FIH! I only use stainless hardware now on decks and piers. I've had instances where the coated deck screws have rusted through in 11 years in an out of the water deck. I'd hate to think how fast they would corrode under water.

I have gone away from using nails for almost any construction project.

Thanks for the response guys. I'll just keep the ceramic coated stuff for my other projects and will source some stainless screws for this project. Prices must have come down since the last time I looked because they seem much more reasonable than before.

The deck screws will last 20+ years outside, but not below water. I’ve had them rust out in a years time on poorly draining decks, so you would t even get the year out of them if fully submerged. The stainless screws are definitely expensive, but will outlast the life of w/e your screwing into. Predrill the holes so you don’t overheat the screw and snap the heads because 1- they are expensive, and 2 you will burn up a sawzall bit very quickly trying to cut them out!

There is another option though that’s less expensive and that’s galvanized anchors. Just check not all waters allow for these (salt can compromise them overtime), but they will last a lot longer than the standard deck screws and are a lot cheaper than stainless. All framing nailgun manufacturers sell galvanized nails for all exterior applications. Can pop a few nails in and then only have to use 1-2 stainless screws to keep things secure forever. Nails will hold though because the wood will expand when wet and squeeze the nails tighter. Just if there’s a lot of movement and only nails are used they will loosen over time. That option will at least save you assembly time and also $ on not needing as many of the stainless screws.

Just my two cents hope it helps! I’m new to ponds but have been a builder for 20+ years. If you’re near Raleigh I’d be happy to help you out!