| "> | | | | their fence slats to. To build a secure fence that will |
| People build fences everyday and most are built | | | | last for years, three rails should be used. The top rail |
| correctly but most could also be built a little better. By | | | | should be placed on the top of the fence posts lying in |
| applying the little known tips below you can build a | | | | a horizontal position. The fence slats should not be |
| fence that will last longer and look better. | | | | installed more than 8" above this top rail. If so they will |
| You start a fence by making holes spaced about | | | | tend to twist and turn with age. The bottom rail |
| every 8 feet apart for the 4x4x8' treated posts. | | | | shouldn't be more than 8" above the bottom of the |
| These holes should be dug 2 feet deep with a post | | | | fence slats for the same reason. The center rail should |
| hole digger. Most people stop right there with a cylinder | | | | be placed evenly between the top and bottom rails. |
| shaped hole since digging these holes is the most | | | | Although the top rail is placed in the horizontal position |
| strenuous part of fence building. To ensure the post is | | | | the middle and bottom rail should be placed vertically. |
| well anchored the fence installer should use the post | | | | This will prevent these rails from warping and makes a |
| hole digger at an angle around the whole diameter of | | | | far better looking and stronger fence. |
| this hole to make a ball shaped anchor at the bottom | | | | Ask any roofer about water drainage and he will tell |
| of the cylinder. A post hole dug in this manner is much | | | | you that water always goes in one direction - and that |
| more secure and stable. | | | | is down. He is almost correct but he doesn't |
| Another mistake people make is not realizing the fact | | | | understand the lip or linger factor. There is one |
| that wood never sticks to concrete. Drive by any | | | | instance where water can and will travel up, and every |
| concrete job and you will notice they use wood forms | | | | fence builder should be aware of. This is also the |
| to frame the concrete held up by nails and wood | | | | reason why fascia boards almost always rot and |
| stakes. The next day the concrete workers take the | | | | warp. |
| nails out and these wood forms just fall off of the | | | | Have you ever walked by a house with wood siding |
| concrete. Another problem is bugs and water in the | | | | or a wood fence and noticed the bottom of the |
| soil can deteriorate the wood posts. To prevent these | | | | painted wood is bubbling and rotten? The paint or |
| problems the fence builder should put black roof tar on | | | | wood sealer should have protected the wood from |
| the bottom two feet of the fence post that enters the | | | | moisture to prevent it from rotting however the |
| ground. This will prevent the post from rotting and | | | | installers weren't aware of the lip or linger factor. |
| enables the concrete to stick to the posts. | | | | Many contractors never seal the bottom lip of the |
| After the posts are leveled and set you should allow | | | | wood. Over the years as water drains down the face |
| them to dry for one whole day before nailing on them. | | | | of the wood it lingers on the exposed bottom lip and |
| If you start nailing on them before the concrete is | | | | begins to soak up into the wood causing it to rot. |
| completely set you will knock the posts out of level. | | | | If you want to water seal or paint your new fence, |
| Many people build a fence with only two rails to nail | | | | always be certain to coat the top and bottom lip. |