| Fences, whether wood, chain-link, plastic or steel | | | | pole in the ground.What I like to do is put in my |
| are installed for any number of reasons. The | | | | corner posts first and use them as a guide to get |
| primary reason, and most will agree,is for privacy, | | | | all the subsequent posts to line up staright. Set |
| whereby segregating a section of the yard to | | | | the corner posts where you want them, securing |
| keep your business away from public eye. | | | | the posts by adding a bag of fast-setting |
| Another reason, but no less important, is to keep | | | | concrete to each hole. Simply add a gallon of |
| children or pets in the confines of your property. | | | | water and allow the mixture to set up; it will |
| Whatever the purpose a well placed fence only | | | | generally harden in less than an hour. Once a post |
| enhances the look of your property and adds to | | | | is placed in the hole, check to see if it's plumb and |
| the value of the home if you decide to sell at a | | | | adjust as necessary. Hold in place by nailing scrap |
| later date.Before taking on any major job I've | | | | wood to the post to stake it. Once the cement |
| learned to ask myself a few questions. Do I have | | | | has set tie a piece of shot line between the |
| the confidence to take on the job? Do I have the | | | | corner posts as tightly as possible. This is your |
| right tools? Am I physically capable? Do I have to | | | | plumb line for setting up the rest of the posts in |
| get permission? It's not a knock on yourself to | | | | straight line.When placing the top rail, keep in mind |
| ask for help. I've swallowed my pride a few | | | | that a good typical height is between 58 and 66 |
| times, asked for help, and in doing so saved | | | | inches from the ground. The middle and lower rails |
| myself alot of frustration and money.I suggest | | | | should be spaced evenly below. The rail length is |
| you visit or call your local code or permitting | | | | determined by measuring from the center of one |
| office to see whether you have to pull a permit. | | | | post to the center point of the next. Use two |
| Once you've determined whether it's okay to build | | | | 10-penny nails to fasten the end of each rail to |
| your fence, make sure you're building it on your | | | | each post, making sure that all the rails are on the |
| own property. If you do not know your property | | | | same horizontal plane and the same distance from |
| measurements, check with the local jurisdiction's | | | | the ground.To speed up the building process, |
| department that keeps your tax plat records or | | | | make sure all the rails are in position before |
| hire a surveyor. Mark the corners with flags and | | | | starting to attach the pickets. Place a picket on |
| show your lines clearly with paint or stakes and | | | | the first post, with the bottom approximately 1 |
| string to define your boundaries.Installing the | | | | inch above the ground. Make sure it's plumb, then |
| fenceThere are many different material options | | | | nail it in place.Repeat the process with a a picket |
| when it comes to fencing, from wood to metal to | | | | on the next post, but only nail it in place with one |
| plastic. For this example we'll discuss the use of | | | | or two nails. Then add a nail to the top of each |
| pressure-treated wood since it offers long-term | | | | picket and run a string between them, placing it a |
| endurance. Don't worry too much about figuring | | | | half-inch above the top of the picket. The top of |
| out how much material you'll need. Just take the | | | | each picket should then be positioned a half-inch |
| exact dimensions of your property to the local | | | | below the string. This allows the pickets to |
| fencing distributors. They will be able to figure out | | | | gradually follow the contour of the yard. |
| the cost.Tools needed: | | | | Tip: To ensure a uniform space between your |
| Air gun nailer (makes the job go quicker unless | | | | pickets, cut a small piece of one picket to use as |
| you're REALLY into swinging a hammer) | | | | a spacer as you work your way along the rails. |
| Safety glasses | | | | (Be sure to keep placing pickets with the tops a |
| Post hole digger (if you're ok with blisters) or a | | | | half-inch below the string line.)While holding each |
| power auger (Make sure someone instructs you | | | | picket in place next to the spacer, secure it with |
| on how to use the tool, and carefully follow all | | | | a single nail right in the center. This will allow some |
| safety precautions. These mechanical beasts don't | | | | leeway for aligning it later. Work your way around |
| know the difference between your foot and the | | | | the perimter until each picket is secured with a |
| ground when they start digging) | | | | single center nail.Now it's time to plumb the |
| Small sledge hammer | | | | pickets. Hold your level alongside and on top of |
| Shot line | | | | each one to check that it's plumb. Once it's |
| Type N quick drying cementRegardless of the | | | | perfectly postioned, get the nail gun and add two |
| type of wood you use, the nails should last as | | | | nails to the top end (for a total of three, since the |
| long as the fence, so choose galvanized nails if at | | | | first one was put in earlier to hold the piece in |
| all possible.The number and placement of the | | | | place), then secure it with three at the bottom |
| posts you use will be determined by the distance | | | | end. Repeat the process all the way down the |
| of your fence. A good rule of thumb is to space | | | | line, then go to the other side and repeat again.If |
| them between 6 to 8 feet apart. Once you've | | | | you follow all the steps correctly you should end |
| determined post placement, you're ready to dig | | | | up with a fence that runs straight on all sides, and |
| your holes. The general guideline for setting posts | | | | best all adds to the curb appeal of your home. |
| is to place at least one-third of the length of each | | | | |