Pulling Wooden Fence Posts

Wooden fence posts in the Raleigh NC area are usually set 24″ in the ground and have a 60-80 pound concrete footer holding them in place. When the posts were set, there was surely the intention that the fence they supported would be around for many years. Now you have decided that the old fencing needs to be removed. Getting the pickets off and the runners down was an easy task, but now you have wooden fence posts that are securely set in the ground and seem to be content on staying there. You ask yourself if there is an easier way to get the fence posts out that doesn’t require you to dig out every footing. The answer is yes, there is an easier way! All you need is a drill, a 2 1/2″ paddle bit, a 4′ piece of deck board, and a bumper jack. A bumper jack, also known as a farm jack, is a jack that was used many years ago to jack up cars to change tires. The jack was designed to go under the bumper and lift the vehicle. Back in the day, bumpers were made of steel and could take the weight of the vehicle. Of course with present day cars, this would most likely tear the bumper off your car. But bumper jacks are still available in most tractor supply and agricultural stores. Bumper jacks can lift up to 5000 lbs. Farm jacks, which look the exact same as a bumper jack, can lift 7000 lbs or more. Both jacks cost around $75.00. The technique described is for removing wooden fence posts that will be discarded. In other words, the posts will not be able to be reused. Put the 2 1/2″ paddle bit in your drill. Drill a hole half way through the fence posts about 1 foot from the ground. Try not to go all the way through the post. The idea is to make a hole big enough to get the lifting mechanism of the jack into. If you go all the way through the post, the post may break before coming out of the ground. Place the deck board on the ground in front of the post. The deck board helps transfer the stress and weight while pulling the post out so the jack doesn’t start going into the ground instead of lifting out the post. Place the bumper jack on the deck board and place the lifting mechanism in the hole you made. Start pumping the jack and you will see the post to start lifting out of the ground. If the top of the jack wants to start going forward, place the included guard on the face of the post. Keep working the jack until the post is out of the ground. You may have to manually pull the post the last couple of inches. This is a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to remove wooden fence posts. Just be careful not to get pinched between the top of the jack and the post.!

Wooden Fence Design and Layout

 You have decided you need a fence, so now what? Now its time decide on the layout of the fence, where you would like the gates to be located, if you would like to incorporate a double gate, and the style of the fence you would like. The first place to start is with your Home Owner’s Association, or HOA, if you live in an area that has one. The HOA will have rules and regulations about fence types, designs, heights, and fence placement. Once you know what the HOA will allow, you can start planning and designing within their guidelines. It would be very frustrating to spend time planning and designing a wooden fence only to find out the HOA only allows aluminum. The common things HOA’s will ask for is a copy of your lot survey with the proposed fence line drawn in red, a material list telling the specifications of the material to be used, and a picture of the fence you would like.

    Now that you know what the HOA will allow, its time to plan the placement of your fence. Some HOA’s require the fence to be on the property lines, while others will let you place the fence in from the property line to allow for shrubs. The HOA will also tell you how far up the house you can come, such as the rear corner, 20′ from the rear corner, or to the front of the house. Decide what works best for you and meets HOA regulations. Gate placement is also an important factor in fence layout. I usually suggest two gates- one on each side of the house. I also suggest making one of those gates a double gate. A double gate allows to you to get larger items in your back yard such as a vehicle, a shed, a play set, or anything else. The wonderful thing about a double gate is that it functions as a single gate and the second gate leaf only opens when you choose for it to. When considering gate placement, think of ease of entry and exit. You may want a gate close to the side door in a garage. A good place for a double gate is the side of the house close to the driveway. That way if you do need to get a vehicle through it, you don’t have to drive across the front yard. Gates in the back of the fence can be nice if you have a deep lot or back up to an easement. Gates into next door neighbor’s yards can also be nice, but keep in mind if you or the neighbor sell the house, the gate may not be welcome by the new occupant.

    After you decide where to place the fence, you need to pick a fence design you like. Since this series of articles is on wooden fencing, I will tell you about common wood fence styles. The great thing about wood is the design is almost endless. Most fence contractors are also skilled carpenters and can help you design and build a fence that is unique to your tastes. With that being said, there are common fence designs. Dog Ear, Scalloped, Arched or Half Moon, Flat Top, Shadow box, Board on Board, Spaced Picket, and Trim Top are some of the most common fences we install.  Some of the fence styles can mix, such as an arched shadow box or a scalloped board on board. The easiest way to see pictures of these designs is to go to google images and type in the fence style followed by the word “fence”. The search term may look like “arched fence”, or “shadow box fence”. Take some time and look at the different styles. Also consider what your goal is. If you desire privacy you may not want a spaced picket fence. If you want some privacy but also want your neighbor’s to see in your back yard for security purposes, you may want a shadow box. If you want to keep your dog in the yard but also want people to be able to see you have a dog, perhaps a spaced picket would work well. Take the time to make sure the wooden fence you want will meet your needs, and the fence that meets your needs is a fence you like.

   Once you know what you like, its time to get estimates and select a contractor. Contractors can also help you in selecting a fence style and answer any questions you have. But that’s another article and will be published soon.

Scott Schulz Owner Carolina Custom Fences LLC 919-796-0464 http://www.carolinacustomfence.com

Wooden Fencing in Raleigh NC- An Overveiw

If you were to ask a group of people to describe a wooden fence, you may be surprised at the different answers you get back. Some may see a white picket fence on a hill surrounding a house, others may see an arched privacy fence or a privacy fence with a lattice top, while others may see a cedar split rail fence surrounding a pasture. All of these answers are correct and usually as personal as the use they would have with a wooden fence.

   As an owner of a fence company in the Raleigh NC area, I speak with many different people daily about having a wooden fence installed on their property. Some have looked on the Internet and found a fence style they like, while others are in the beginning of their quest to have a fence installed. Sometimes we are the first fence company they call, and sometimes others have been out before and have already provided an estimate. I have found in both cases, most people are not familiar with the lumber used in this area, the different styles and picket options available, and are also not familiar with the installation techniques used in this area.

    This is the beginning of a series of articles that will help educate people in the Raleigh Durham area of the common practices used in wood fencing by most local fence companies. These articles will include fence layout out and design, common installation practices, lumber choices, post and picket choices, wooden fence maintenance, and pricing in the area. We will discuss general practices, and these practices may not apply to all fence companies in the area.

Scott Schulz Owner Carolina Custom Fences LLC 919-796-0464 www.carolinacustomfence.com

An Example of Comparing Apples to Apples

  I received a phone call from a friend and owner of a local fence company yesterday. He had been invited out for an estimate on a chain link fence. The homeowner explained to him that she needed a chain link fence to keep her two large dogs in the yard. My friend was the second contractor to come out and give a quote. In conversation, the home owner mentioned that the first fence company that came out suggested leaving out the bottom tension wire on the fence to help cut down costs.

   Those of us in the fence business know the importance of a bottom tension wire. Without this feature, a dog could simply push through the bottom of the fence. The tension wire attatches to the chain link fabric to prevent this. Although the first contractor’s price may have been lower, for obvious reasons, the fence would not have met the needs of the homeowner.

    This is a perfect example of comparing apples to apples. Make sure every contractor’s price includes ALL of the needed materials for a functional fence!

Thanks for reading!

Scott

Comparing Apples to Apples in Fencing

    Whenever I meet with a potential client on a fence estimate, I encourage them to get three fence quotes on there new investment. Although we would very much like to earn their business, this gives the customer a chance to meet other contractors, check prices, and make a dicision they feel comfortable with. After all, the main objective is for the customer to get a fence that meets their needs and wants, and have them feel confident in their dicision. Many times I will get a return call from the customer trying to compare the quotes, and help them compare them equally.

    When receiving quotes in fencing, make sure all the quotes are based on the same thing. First off, make sure the footage of the fence is the same. This is easy to do. Most companies will provide you with a sketch of the proposed fence line. On the sketch, they will usually label the distance of each fence run. Use this as a template for your fence. Each contractor that comes out after that point can give you an estimate based on the footage in the diagram. Don’t be suprised if they re-measure. Its always best to double check before construction begins!

   Make sure the materials are the same. Is one contractor quoting 5/8″ pickets and the other 3/4″ pickets? Decide which picket you like and ask all contractors to give you an estimate using the same picket. If your not sure, ask for quotes for both pickets from every contractor. Ask about gate materials. Is everyone quoting a gate with 6×6 weight bearing posts, three hinges, and a lockable latch? If this is what you would like, ask for the quote to include this.

   The most important thing is to make sure every contractor is quoting on the same information. For Aluminum, Vinyl, and Chain Link, it can get more difficult as different companies use different manufacturers.

On aluminum, ask for the manufacturer’s name and web address. This way you can see the specs on the fencing. If you find a brand you really like, ask for quotes in that brand. If only one company offers that brand, it may help in your desicion making.  For example, we use OnGuard aluminum fencing. You can visit them at www.onguardfencesystems.net. We beleive it is superior to any other aluminum fencing on the market. But if you fall in love with Jerith, Delguard, or Sentinial, we can quote that as well.

Chain Link fencing is fairly easy to compare. Make sure everyone is quoting the same gauge (residential 11 1/2 gauge for example), a top rail, a bottom tension wire, the same size gates ect.

Vinyl may be the hardest to compare. Some companies use vinyl from Home Depot, some from Master Halco, others from Certainteed. The best thing to do is select a manufacturer and request quotes in that brand. If you don’t know which brand you like, discuss it with the different contractors. Some vinyl is higher than others since it is a better quality.

There are other points to consider in choosing a fence contractor, but one of the most important is comparing apples to apples.

Thanks for reading!

Scott

Why are there spaces in my privacy fence?

 

While reading through a DIY fence forum this morning, the question was asked “why are there spaces in my privacy fence?” The writer stated they were not there when the fence was installed, but now there are gaps between the pickets. The writer went on to say he felt that his privacy fence no longer provided privacy and wanted to know how to fill the gaps. Others wrote in suggesting to cover the gaps with small pieces of wood, fill in the gaps with caulk, or fill in the gaps with “great stuff” expanding foam. I feel bad for this home owner, not only that his fence hasn’t lived up to his expectations, but also for the bad advise he was given for a fix.

Lets start with why the gaps are there. Most fences are constructed out of pressure treated southern yellow pine. Most of the pressure treated southern yellow pine is still “wet” when it is purchased. In other words, the lumber was pressure treated, bundled, and sent out for sale. A fence is built using this lumber. As the lumber dries, the wood shrinks, twists, and warps. This makes spaces between pickets and can warp the fence lines. No matter how good an installer is, the drying process of the lumber can alter the appearance of a fence. Once this happens, there is no getting it back in its original condition.

 There are steps to prevent this from happening. First is the use of kiln dried lumber. This lumber is dried before it is bundled and sent out for sale. This ensures the lumber stays straight and reduces shrinkage. Kiln dried lumber is more expensive, but it keeps your new fence looking new for much longer. Another way to prevent gaps in privacy fencing is to use tounge and groove fencing. This is more common in cedar fencing. Again, this type of fencing is a bit more expensive. Yet another way to prolong your fence is the use of a stain that contains both a water sealer and a UV protectant. This technique will not stop the shrinkage and warping as well as the first two suggestions, but will definitly prolong the life of your fence.

   In the perfect world, all fences would be built with kiln dried lumber and protected with a water sealer and UV protectant. But we are not in a perfect world, and with todays economy, it can be hard to justify the extra expense. With all things being said, talk with your contractor about the different options and what to expect in the future with your fence.

Thanks for reading!

Scott

www.carolinacustomfence.com

Bamboo Fence in Zebulon

    We installed a bamboo fence in Zebulon last week. The home owner was looking for something different and classy. He needed the fence to be able to give his dog (Dachshund) a safe place to play, and a fence to fit in with the plan for his yard. We looked at vinyl and wood, but these options were not what the home owner was looking for. The home owner started looking at fence designs online and found pictures of bamboo fencing. He called me to share what he learned. The bamboo he found was from www.CaliBamboo.com.  After a call to Cali Bamboo, the material was on the way and delivered in about a week! The fence would be 6′ tall bamboo with a picture frame.

    We began setting posts for the fence on Thursday. Digging conditions were great- red clay with very little rock. We used 4×4 posts for the line and 6×6 posts for the gates, all set in concrete. The fence was around 185′ total with one single gate and one double gate. The set took us a few hours to complete. We let the posts set overnight giving the concrete time to set.

    We arrived at the job the following Friday morning. With the bamboo, we used a 2 rail system composed of 2×4 runners. The top runner was set 6′ tall at the high point going level to the next post. The bottom rail was set just off ground level and followed the grade of the land. The bamboo was then attatched by screws to the runners. Being a picture frame fence, the fence had to be “stair stepped”.

    We finished the fence on Saturday. We installed the top and bottom face plates to the outside of the fence, and a top plate of 2×6 lumber. The gate hardware was attatched. We were extremely happy to see how strong the bamboo was! With only a top and bottom rail, the bamboo was very stiff and had very little give when pushed on. You can see the finished fence at www.carolinacustomfence.com/bamboofencezebulon.

     A few notes if you wish to install a bamboo fence yourself. When attatching the bamboo, be sure to drill pilot holes for the screws. If you don’t, you will crack the bamboo. Drill the screw in to secure the bamboo, but not too tight- again, you will crack the bamboo. Use a fine tooth saw to cut the bamboo to avoid splintering. We used a 60 tooth finish blade on a circular saw and a 24 tooth metal blade on a sawzall.

     Please post any questions or comments for bamboo fencing and I will be sure to answer them. Feel free to call me directly as well at 919-796-0464. You can also see other fence styles and designs at www.carolinacustomfence.com.

Thanks for reading!

Scott

Attatching Welded Wire

     In repsonse to the question: “What is the best way to attatch welded wire to a wooden post?”

    We attatch welded wire to wooden posts using feild nails. Feild nails are galvanized nails that have a U shape. Feild nails can be bought at most local home improvement stores. You can also use a feild nail gun and strip of feild nails. This type of feild nail looks more like a staple than a nail. You simply load the nail strip in the gun, place it over the welded wire, and hit it with a hammer. Its easier than traditional feild nails, but I wonder how they will hold up over time. You can purchase the feild nail gun and strip nails at Northern Tool.

     Thanks for reading!

Scott

www.carolinacustomfence.com

Welded Wire Fence Vs. No Climb Fence

      Welded wire tends to be a popular choice in fencing. Whether standing on its own or attatched to the back of a wooden fence, welded wire is commonly used for dog containment.  While welded wire is a good choice for some dog fences, it will not survive all breeds!

      Welded wire is made by making small welds on the wire that hold the wire together. The welds are fairly strong, but will not hold up to being jumped on consistantly. I also learned this first hand. I installed welded wire threw the woods of our back yard. I pulled the welded wire tight and attatched it to wooden posts. The fence worked fine for our 3 Great Danes and our Black Lab. It did not work so good for our German Shepard or Yellow Lab. These two dogs like to stand up using the fence for balance. In a short time, the welds broke, leaving dangling horizontal wires. This led to going threw the fence and climbing over the fence. This led to even more damage to the fence.

      A great alternative to welded wire is No Climb equine fencing. It works great with the breeds that jump and test the fence line. No Climb fencing is used for horses. It is made to withstand the weight of a horse leaning on it, and not to break if a horse steps on it, preventing a tangled hoof. It looks like welded wire untill you really examine it. The wire is thicker, and it is but together with “knuckles”, instead of welds. The knuckles are MUCH stronger than the welds in welded wire. There are only two down falls to No Climb fencing. First, it only comes in galvanized. No black or green. The second is the price. A roll of No Climb is easily 2-3 times the cost of welded wire.

    If you have a breed of dog that jumps or tests the fence line, talk with your fence contractor about No Climb fencing. In the long run, the No Climb will serve you better and be less expensive as you will not have to replace the welded wire time and time again.  No Climb fencing is available at Tractor Supply, Agri-Supply, and most farm supply stores. You can also see the specs of No Climb Fencing by visiting www.redbrand.com.  And as always, you can always call Carolina Custom Fences to answer any of your fencing questions at 919-796-0464 or visit us at www.carolinacustomfence.com.

Thanks for reading!

Scott

Helping out the German Shepard Rescue

     We were recently contacted by two of the members of the German Shepard Rescue and Adoption in Durham NC.  John and Andrea are not only involved with the Rescue group, but also foster dogs that come in through the organization. They had a 4′ tall 3 rail fence with welded wire attatched to it. The fence was in fair condition, and served its purpose untill their latest rescue arrived. “Gus”, a young and very playful puppy, discovered he could climb over the exsisting fence. John and Andrea, worried about gus’ safety and the safety of other small pets in the neighborhood, decided to get a taller fence that Gus could not scale.

      After careful planning, a fence design was made that was tall enough that Gus could not climb, and strong enough to keep the fostered pets in.  After removing the old fence, we started construction. The front section of fencing, the side visable from the street, is now 6′ tall aluminum fencing. The aluminum fence has no exposed points for the safety of the dogs. The sides and back are constructed of 6″ round posts set in concrete. We then attatched 6′ tall No Climb equine fencing. We topped the fence off with a 2×8 top rail. This is one sturdy fence!

     The finished result worked great! Gus tested the fence by trying to run through it. He learned quickly that even with all his energy and playfulness, even Gus was no match for the No Climb fencing!

     A special Thank You goes out to John and Andrea as they have dedicated their time and their home to such a great cause that provides no monetary return. They do it out of their love for the dogs. And a special Thank You to Gus for inspiring us to build a “Gus-Proof” fence!

    Please visit the Durham German Shepard Rescue and Adoption at www.gsdrescue.org.

Thanks for Reading!

Scott