Do It Yourself!
By Michael on Mar 7, 2008 in Doors, Fence, Wood | 0 Comments
Wood shrinks, joints open and fasteners loosen. What to do? An adjustable turnbuckle brace, available in rod or cable form, will square up the gate and permit future adjustments. Kits that include all necessary hardware and instructions are widely available but you can also make your own setup from standard hardware. Use steel cable for [...]
By Michael on Mar 7, 2008 in Fence, Landscaping | 1 Comment
To cut a hole, drive the blades of your post hole digger sharply into the ground. When loose soil collects in the hole, pull the handles apart to scoop it out.
Try to dig a bell-shaped hole - larger at the bottom than the top. It may help to soak the soil before you dig post [...]
By Michael on Mar 7, 2008 in Concrete, Fence, Wood | 0 Comments
You can set fence posts directly in the ground or in a concrete collar for added strength. Either way, you should use rot-resistant wood and set the post on a bed of gravel, to aid drainage and to keep the end grain from soaking up excess moisture.
Posts for gates, fence corners or decks, and posts [...]
By Michael on Mar 7, 2008 in Fence, Wood | 0 Comments
Replacing a rotted fence post is complicated because the rails attached to it can be difficult to remove and re-attach. Here’s a quick but sturdy fix that supports a rotting post without disturbing it: Drive a 3- to 4-foot pipe into the ground adjacent to the post, leaving about a foot above grade. Attach the [...]
