Dating Lead Washer Tin Roof Nails?

[ultrarunner]

Windstorm pulled one of the corrugated roofing panels off the peak of the 1860 Redwood Barn and loosened several others.

I was surprised to see the nails holding the panels had lead washers under the nail heads.

The entire exterior of the barn roofing has a rusted patina... the underside looks good and uniform grey in color.

Any idea how to date lead washer roofing nails... is this something from 50 years ago or 100+?

The barn siding has some redwood boards wider than 24"... the roof framing is rather random too.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I haven't seen them for years. Today it is neoprene washers. Probably goes back to the lead scares of the 70s. About like asbestos in building materials.

Ron

 

[bcp]

Lead roofing nails date previous to today.

lead roofing nails - Google Search

Bruce

 

[oosik]

I would bet that lead washers predate the 50's. Helped install a new galvy roof on a barn in '54 - no lead washers used in that repair job.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I quit seeing lead head nails being common on the store shelf in the early 80’s. They were not the best choice but it takes some a while to change.

 

[Oldoak]

Lead headed nails were used on my pole barn roof construction back in the mid 70s. Just recently threw a bucket of the left over nails which had been gathering dust ever since, in the metal hopper at our local scrap yard. They weren't lead washers, the entire head of the hardened steel ring nail was cover with lead, some of which flew off while the nails were pounded in.

I'm sure the EPA would frown on those today. But then again we played with mercury and coated coins with it when we were kids and didn't call a Hazmat team every time someone dropped a mercury filled thermometer.

 

[hawkeye08]

Pa built his shop in the early 50s, lead washers for sure.

 

[/pine]

I bought lead washer roofing nails as late as 1986 at the local building supply...

they seem to still be available:

Lead Head Roofing Nail 1-3/4 5 Lb. Box | Agri Supply 36771

 

[Alien]

They look galvanised to me with neoprene washers. Nothing like the old lead head nails.

 

[Oldoak]

They look galvanised to me with neoprene washers. Nothing like the old lead head nails.

Your certainly correct. The description says one thing and the picture shows another. :confused3: