Jan 12
2
Putting Up Wood Fence Posts Shouldn’t Be Too Complicated
Wood fence posts can be fashionable and elegant, and when correctly looked after can persist for many years. They are definitely a common way of indicating property limits, although if you're choosing a wooden fence, you need to think about your budget and the type of fence you need.
Generally wood fence posts are spaced 6 to 8 feet apart, and dividing the length of your plot by six or eight will tell you the amount of fence posts you will need for a specified length. The same calculation should be repeated for each side of the land you are enclosing. If you want a gate or opening, or just to cover any miscalculations, you should order some extra posts. Additional posts that are not needed should be kept in a safe, dry environment, free from termites and pests and your posts can last a very long time if properly treated and seasoned.
The posts that are used as corners of the plot should be put in first, and the normal procedure is to dig pilot holes for each post, although a driving shoe will allow a post to be driven in to the ground. A pilot hole should be big enough so that the posts can slide in easily, and ideally larger at the bottom than at the top. About a 3rd of the post’s length should be under ground.
Once the end and corner posts are forcibly inserted in the ground, they can serve as a guide to install the other posts and stones or gravel can be used to anchor the posts to stop movement. Also, you should put a layer of sand or gravel at the base of your hole, to permit proper drainage. Once all of the posts are firmly in the holes, the holes can be filled in with concrete or dirt, so anchoring them soundly. Wood preservative should be used to treat the part of the post that goes into the hole.
Consider using some brief stakes to brace the posts till the concrete has set, and to prevent water from collecting round the posts, make sure the concrete spreads over the surrounding ground. Permanent bracing of some type should also be used with all of your corner posts and you should make sure all the posts are set prior to adding the rails, or the bars that form the fencing. If you are adding decorative tops to your fence posts, this should really only be done after the rails are in place.
Just follow these easy instructions and you will be on the way to getting that new fence up. You'll be the talk of all your neighbors!
Jared Mullins runs a residential construction company in New Bedford, Massachusetts. To read more about the way to put up a wood fence or privacy fences, check out his site.
Related Reading:
Raised Bed Gardens - A Natural Solution For Proper Plant GrowthRaised bed gardening is not new, but more people are discovering this great solution for small areas. You don't have to be an experienced farmer in order to grow your own vegetables, but you will need the will to succeed.Learn about the best soil composition, some tips on what to include in your mixture and advice about retention walls. Why it is never a good idea to use treated wood!
This no fluff ebook contains 27 pages devoted to raised bed gardens and dispenses advice on how to get the most out of your limited space.
