Treated fence post sat on soil.

Discussion in 'Landscaping and Outdoors' started by Cats, Oct 6, 2019.

  1. Cats

    Cats New Member

    Hope am in right part of this forum....new neighbors giving me a headache over erecting new wooden fence!
    Am worried will rot fall down and be a danger.
    Putting fencing against boundary line, very long garden, ex council pre war .
    My concern is my safety & privacy especially the part where green wire fence is removed ..

    1.screwing fence posts to boundary metal & concrete posts that support the hard green wire fencing, (taken down part wire fence against my agreement, at front and down side of house ,main part of garden been left, so at least when their new wooden fence starts to rot will be a barrier.)

    2. Fence post is sitting on the ground, grass !!!! And in parts on gravel driveway
    3. Top & bottom battons been screwed on to the fence posts
    3.kickboard to be attached (some lengths will be sitting just off ground level,, then frame obviously filled in with single vertical. boards)
    4. Gaps to side & behind of the fence posts screwed to the metal & concrete posts are braced with small wedges of wood, and being left there,, I know right?

    Wood is treated dark brown colour, have been reassured is high quality, looks reasonable but at £4.60 a post obviously it's soft wood treated and not specialist 'ground treated.

    Anyhow my question is, surley the bottom of the post being left to sit on top of the ground/ soil will rot quickly and be a danger not be able to support the weight it's meant to??
    I suggested they plant in metal spikes in the ground preferably in concrete but told it's unnecessary extra work and their way is best way

    This way/their way goes against everything I've learned and seen, am I correct or am I going mad because the neighbor and the man helping keep inisting this fence will be strong, take the weight and stay up ...I feel if I keep hearing it enough times I might start believing it..please am I going mad ????..

    I Should add that 25 + odd feet of this fence that will running down side of the houses, that area in winter becomes a vicous wind tunnel.
     
  2. Cats

    Cats New Member

    Edit* one of these posts have been alinged with one of mine which is sunk & supports a small side fence attached to my back gate, I will find out if their post is sitting against mine or has been screwed into it as surley if theirs is to rot it would put a strain on my post causing damage.
     
  3. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    From what you describe I would suggest there is little to worry about. Most wooden fence posts fail because the post rots at ground level and, as the bit holding the fence upright is still in the ground, it falls over.
    Your scenario is completely different. Even if the bottom part the post resting on the ground does suffer, it is the concrete or metal post which is still holding it up.

    As far as your privacy being affected - it sounds like you're getting a solid wooden fence in place of a wire one so it should be enhanced.

    I can't quite picture the bit regarding your posts but from what I understand it does sound like your neighbour and his helper are trying to do a decent job so relax about it all and wait and see how it pans out.

    I'm guessing here but I think that the pieces of wood between the new posts and the old are to level/straighten the whole thing up which is what makes me think they're trying to make a good job of it. If any of the original posts weren't exactly upright, and they just fixed straight to them without packers, the result would look awful.

    I hope this helps.
     
    Cats, Astramax and ramseyman like this.
  4. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Very nice of your new neighbours to have erected a nice lovely new fence at their own expense on what probably is a boundary they are responsible for, beats tacky green wire mesh any day of the week and will provide privacy to both parties concerned, you should thank them and invite them in for afternoon tea and cake to show how appreciative you are. :):)
     
  5. wiggy

    wiggy Screwfix Select

    Fence posts near soil seems a bit dodgy to me.
     
  6. Cats

    Cats New Member

    This is my concern, the posts 'ends are actually sitting on the ground.
     
  7. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    So you are saying no holes were dug out for the posts to sit in?
     
  8. Cats

    Cats New Member

    When it's being put up like a cowboy job,, posts stood on soil grass, braced up with temp untreated wedges, there be no thanks coming , especially when parts fall down heavily damaging my property,, they are actually showing off replacing a wooden fence that was the correct weight & position..for the weather in this area.
     
  9. Severntrent

    Severntrent Screwfix Select

    Put some photos of the fence on then we can see what your concerns are about
     
  10. Cats

    Cats New Member

    That's right, and they told me this is fine blah blah what I posted above,,, am Iike what!?? This goes against everything I've learned on putting fencing up. The end of the wooden fence posts are sat on bare ground,, just screwed into original concrete & metal posts that had the green wire attached..now today they are fencing further down, the posts are stood on large ash tree stumps..look like been hacked off instead of cut smooth to ground level, they said when fence finished they will drill hole in stumps with root killer.... When they aren't about I'll take photos.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2019
  11. Cats

    Cats New Member

    Yes they put Packers in and quite a few them up and down and behind, has to be at least 4 to 5 parts on most posts that are packed this way, what I called wedges, they are staying in , the wooden posts are being left sat on top of grass, soil, tree stumps.
     
  12. wiggy

    wiggy Screwfix Select

    Unbelievable, I bet they haven't even gone for planning permission.
     
    PhilSo likes this.
  13. PhilSo

    PhilSo Screwfix Select

    :D
     
  14. The damp proof course should be approx two posts above ground level, or is that bricks.
     
  15. PhilSo

    PhilSo Screwfix Select

    How many cats does the OP have and does he/she live alone .

    PhilSo :cool:
     
  16. Cats

    Cats New Member

    Nope no planning, that's up to them I did say go as high as you want it's no bother to me, because they are a very nosey young couple that behave as if my property is part of communal space...

    Along the front I even agreed to 6'6 before reaching the end of driveway as I'm sick of seeing them.
    But did say to lower towards payment for clear viewing,,and if they go over the permitted 1 metre then that's the chance they take, I wouldn't need to report them as the local council around here tend to have reports from highways when doing work an area... however is does block viewing then yes I'd quicken up the process by reporting to planning....
    Turns out they have also torn down another houses boundary fencing where that garden backs on to theirs, as it's unoccupied because the occupant died recently and did this before the family either move in or put for sale, am sure the family will notice from the plans their boundary fence is missing lol
     
  17. wiggy

    wiggy Screwfix Select

    WOW some people. You couldn't make this stuff up jeez.
    I would be tempted to go to the local paper.
     
    Cats likes this.
  18. Cats

    Cats New Member

    Am not sure if pics of any use, so will try again when better light ..ones next to a mattress is of mine which was stripped down as to see a clear line, so I was told today, I'd asked before not to do that, but concern here is besides now planks are off the rest is open to elements...

    ..their post is braced up against mine,mine is sunk correctly, so when I come to replace there'll be nothing to support theirs.. my fence in that pic was only put that way as the people before only ran the fence that far and I set my gate more forward which left a gap overlooking front gardens..in fact now they are fencing the whole length of front to back once mine needs replacing I wouldn't have to replace it or could set it close to the boundary line, and could have use of that space again..they and the helper have assumed I'll keep it that way..so am now wondering how will their post stay up.... But shouldn't fence post be sunk? And not simply let to sit on grass that was whole reason for post.
     

    Attached Files:

  19. Cats

    Cats New Member

    Yes sorry pics not good..but believe me those posts are stood on plain ground & tree trunks.....those packers are the best ones the rest in 3-4 different places on nearly every post are like small doorstop wedges.
    in case some are wondering nice neighbours putting up a fence then good I'm glad for them but the cowboy way its being done means will rot, shift quicker none of my business till they need access And the top end should I remove my support post will see theirs crashing through my Windows! I'd prefer not to converse with them I could see where nosey intrusive idiots when moved in and went out of my way to keep my distance.
     
  20. Richard_

    Richard_ Screwfix Select

    Hmm..... So you're worried that timber posts are out of the ground and bolted to concrete posts? Most garden fences use timber posts dug into the ground but you are complaining that these are out of the ground? You do realise that this will be the strongest fence in the street?

    Then you complain about privacy because a wire fence is now solid? Do folk in your area have strange eyesight that makes a wire fence seem solid and a solid fence seem transparent?

    Then you complain about your neighbour's behaviour yet you are the one with a skanky mattress in the garden?

    I do hope you're having a laugh but I fear not.
     
    Astramax likes this.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice