Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Are zinc wedge anchors okay for galvanized pole
I HAVE INSTALLED ZINC WEDGE ANCHORS TO A HOT DIP GALVANIZED STEEL BASE FOR A SIX METER POLE...I HAVE BEEN ADVISED I WILL HAVE TO REMOVE THE ANCHORS AS OXIDATION MAY OCCUR AND REPLACE WITH HD GALV PRODUCT...IS THERE A PRODUCT LIKE PENETROX THAT I CAN APPLY TO REDUCE THIS OR SHOULD I JUST CHANGE OUT THE ANCHORS...ANY COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED...THANKS
DENNIS NAUMCONTRACTOR - PANAMA
2004
I don't know what a wedge anchor is, but it sounds like a structural component rather than a sacrificial one. Any solid zinc component will dissolve away if connected to the galvanized pole.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004
The wedge anchor is one that is inserted into a hole drilled into concrete. The wedge is designed to slide downward on a tapered shaft at the bottom of the bolt and expands outward to grip the concrete as the bolt is tightened. I am assuming that your wedge anchor is zinc plated, and therefore ,in my opinion, looks fine but offers little corrosion protection. Replacing the anchor with one that is hot dip galvanized would solve the corrosion issue, but would require replacement of the bolts you have already installed, which would not be easy or practical. I would explore the possibility of putting new holes in the pole and installing new galvanized anchors. Leave the old anchors or cut them off level with the concrete. The new holes would need to be repaired from drilling with cold galvanizing compound Cold Galvanizing Compound / Zinc Rich Paint, or if the pole does not have a particular orientation, use the existing holes by turning the pole.
David Jaye- Houston, Texas
2004
This is going to be a BIG problem if you wait too long. A zinc wedge anchor is solid zinc. A galvanised component is a steel part with a coating of zinc to provide corrosion protection. The zinc wedge will dissolve away over time and there is nothing you can put on it to stop that. Zinc is sacrificial to iron.
Your best bet is the galvanised part you talked about, or go to a specialty fastener company like Huck for fasteners made for the job. Sorry for this answer, but six meters is long way for anything to fall...
Jeff Watson
- Pearland, Texas
2004
If they are in already leave them and when you have to replace them use stainless steel wedge anchors.
Michael Basile- Mt. Vernon, New York
June 1, 2011
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