DIY Network

Measuring and Setting Fence Posts Measuring and Setting Fenceposts From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-412

Figure A

For homeowners who have children and swimming pools, safety is a major concern. In this episode of Weekend Landscaping, host Jessie Mack Burns addresses just such a problem: besides being an eyesore, the existing chain-link fence (figure A) offers at best false security, as it is too low and offers a tantalizing toehold to any child adventurous enough to climb it. Her plan is to removes the fence and build a taller wooden one that features an arbor entry, a lockable gate and Craftsman details to complement the architectural style of the house. Once the fence is built, she will plant a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers to frame the fence. Finally, she'll add stylish outdoor furniture for the homeowners to sit in while they supervise their little swimmers.

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Skill level: 4

Time needed: 19 hours

Region: South

Hard supplies and tools
Wood panels: 1x4, 2x6, 2x2, 4x4
Wire cutters
Gate hardware
Finials
Posthole diggers
Dry concrete
Pneumatic nail gun and saw
Standard gardening tools
Outdoor furniture

Plant material
Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')
Chiapas sage (Salvia chiapensis)
'Gilt-Edge' silverberry (Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge')
'Turner's Pitt' mock orange (Pittosporum tobira 'Turner's Variegated Dwarf')
Purple silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens')

After downloading a digital image of the backyard and using garden-design software to create a plan, Jessie first needs to remove the ugly chain-link fence and prepare the area for the installation of the new wooden fence. If you're undertaking such a project, first check with City Hall: codes vary around the country, and you want to be sure you're working in accordance with local ordinances.

1. First remove the existing fence.

2. Measure the area, starting with the gate (figure B). (The end of the fence is back in the bushes -- a good thing, as it means the children aren't very likely to be able to get around the fence.) Divide the remaining area and determine width of each section between posts.

Note: Using blocks of wood is a good way to mark the exact position of each posthole (figure C).

Figure B

Figure C

3. String a line between the posts (figure D) and once all the lines are straight, use spray paint to mark around each block of wood (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

4. Dig out all the holes you've marked with paint.

Note: Anytime you dig a hole for a fence or any other project, be sure you know where your utilities are. The last thing you want to do is dig into a gas, water or electric line. Contact your utility provider to be certain of the location of underground utilities.

5. Put in the gate. The dimensions for the gate have to be exact, so to assure accuracy, we first built a temporary frame sections that can be clamped in place to set the posts.

Expert advice: (John Harmon, licensed contractor) Anytime you're doing a project that involves planting posts in the ground, you need to surround the base of each post with concrete. The concrete forms a foundation and an anchor for the posts. If you just surrounded the posts with earth, they would end up leaning eventually -- and so would your fence.

Figure F

6. Set each post in concrete and check with a level to make sure it's plumb. Because we're building the fence in panels, we're creating a spacer to make sure the posts are precisely situated, as we did with the gate. (Our fence panels measure 7x8, and our spacer matches these dimensions precisely.) As each post is placed in the ground, it's clamped to the spacer and backfilled with cement. After the cement has set, remove the spacer and move on to the next post, until all the posts are in place (figure F).

Time spent: 6 hours.

RESOURCES :

California Redwood Association
Website: www.calredwood.org

Plants from Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Website: www.monrovia.com

DeWalt power tools
DeWalt
Website: www.dewalt.com/us/core/

Soil amendments by Kellogg Garden Products
Kellogg Garden Products
Website: www.kellogggarden.com

Landscaping Services by D&J Landscaping
D & J Landscaping
E-mail: DJLandscaping@sbcglobal.net

Equipment rentals
United Rentals
Website: www.ur.com

Wicker furniture
Plow & Hearth
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: 434-977-3707
Website: www.plowhearth.com

GUESTS :

John Harmon
Licensed Contractor
Specialized Services
PO Box 1377
Sunset Beach, CA 90742-1377
Phone: 562-592-3831
E-mail: SpecEmail@aol.com