Easy Methods To Protect Your Backyard Fence
Your fence should give you several years of service; much more if you make sure that it’s thoroughly preserved and you carry out routine maintenance checks.
Attempt to choose fence lumber that has been factory-dipped as this works better than brushed on home treatments available. The ends of cut timber ought to be soaked in treatment for a day before use. Unless fences are constructed of a natural rot-resisting wood, such as cedar or oak, you will also need to treat them regularly with a wood preservative. Creosote and water-based treatments ought to be re-applied every four yrs, and sovent-based solutions every 2 or 3 yrs. Creosote is often a well-liked conventional treatment for fencing and sheds. It features a fairly strong odor when applying which some people do not like. Additionally it is toxic if inhaled, consumed or soaked up thru the pores and skin, which means you should put on protective clothes when applying it. Due to this, creosote isn’t really suited to fences which help support crops. Treatments which are water based are less harmful to vegetation and generally smell better. They’re not so great at protecting against wood decay, however are great for dealing with surface mold . Wood-pitch preservatives produce a buffer which prevents water penetration, making the wood too dry for bacterial activity.
Mending Support Posts
Among the major problems that develops as a fence ages is broken lumber support posts. If the damage reaches soil level, the most effective way of repairing is by using a concrete spur – this is a small post sunk into the soil alongside the current one and bolted to it to provide support.
1 Dig a hole 45-60 cm (18-24 in) deep about the damaged post and saw off the rotten part.
2 Paint the sawn end of the wood post with a wood preservative.
3 Place the concrete spur into the hole, resting it alongside the post, and pack hardcore around the base to support it.
4 Push bolts through the holes in the spur and tap them with a hammer hard enough to leave an impression on the timber post.
5 Remove the bolts and spur then drill holes through the post for the bolts.
6 Bolt the concrete spur onto the post, tightening the nuts on the spur side so that the timber post is not harmed.
7 Make certain that the post and spur are vertical, if necessary brace them in place temporarily with stakes pushed into the soil.
8 Fill the hole using a fairly stiff concrete mix tamping it down firmly to remove any air pockets.
9 As soon as the concrete has set (after about a week), get rid of the supporting stakes and saw off any excess length from the protruding bolts.
Arris Rail Repair
Damaged arris rails can be easily fixed with specially angled metal brackets. These can be found in designs both to support a rail that has rotted where the end fits into the post, or to brace a damaged rail in the middle. Either styles are easily screwed into place.
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