State License # HOMEPPC843MJ
Services
During the spring, summer, and early fall, I focus on fence & gate repairs. I don't provide fence replacement services anymore; those projects are too big for me. Almost everywhere I look in our city, there are fences and gates that need attention. A specialty for me is broken fence post replacement and restoring existing fences instead of replacing them. Many fences here have the bottoms buried in dirt and are rotted. It is becoming popular to remove the bottom 3-1/2" from the fence, install a new rail and trimwork, re-nail everything, and extend the life of the fence for several more years. All at a fraction of the cost of a full fence replacement.
Gates, Fences, and Post Replacements
Long Lasting Cedar Gates Using Heavy Duty Decorative Hardware
Cedar Fences I am a believer in cedar fences and am leaving vinyl fencing to the true vinyl fence professionals.
|
|
|
|
|
Before
Before
|
After
After
|
After
|
Wind Damage Repairs
Some fences just need to be completely replaced, Notice the damaged bottom of these panels because it was buried in dirt.
Some fences just need to be completely replaced, Notice the damaged bottom of these panels because it was buried in dirt.
Broken Fence Posts-I repair these with a minimum cost of materials (a new post, concrete bonding agent and concrete, using the same panels and same footing (for alignment and proper spacing) with new steel connectors. This is specialty work that most contractors wont perform. It is not an easy job, but using the existing fence panels will provide savings to the homeowner.
Post Replacement Process
The concrete footing at repair site was very deep here.
Drill and clear out old post materials 5-6 inches deep into old footing, this provides great alignment, depth and stabilization for the new post, all needed for using old panels. Rotohammer top of old footing to assist with adhesion and to check for cracked footings,
New post inserted, bonding agent applied to old footing.
New concrete capping, diverting water away from post.
|
A concrete crater around the fence post caused moisture to rot the base of the post.
Here is another one that didn't have a chance. Concrete did not even make it around and under the post.
When the low spot of the concrete is at the post, they will fail.
Water had nowhere else to go but into the post.
|
After removing all the old post debris, a new post was inserted and concrete with a bonding agent was used to divert water away from the post and prevent this from happening again.
Another new post with concrete poured.
And another.
|
Soil and Moss Effects on Treated Wood and Cedar
Keep soil off the bottoms and sides of your fences, a 2" bottom gap is ideal. Simply brushing or lightly scraping off the moss buildup will help greatly with longevity.
An example of what will become of a 2 x 4 designed for ground contact, buried in wet soil. Let the bottoms of your fences breathe.
|
Bottoms of cedar fence boards buried in soil.
|
Another rotted 4 x 4 post base.
|
|
Incorrect Property Line Fence Re-alignments This situation was because of two homeowners not communicating, a rock retaining wall, and anothercontractor who looked for the easy way to get in and out. No one was happy, They are now!
I recommend that all wood fences receive a nice coating of wood preservative every 12-24 months to maintain the new look and increase their life by many years (that is unless you prefer the aged grey appearance). In DuPont, our ROA has the accepted brands and colors at http://www.nwlandingroa.org/document_view.asp?id=392
Vinyl Fences
Whether you like them or not, vinyl fences have become very popular over the years. Because I like to know about the latest construction methods and materials, I have been researching vinyl fences.
There are at least two grades of vinyl fencing-the type that true vinyl fence pros use, and the products you can purchase at the big box stores. Within those types are a multitude of products. It can be confusing, and you usually get what you pay for.
Drive around the neighborhood and you can see vinyl fences that look great after several years, and others that are showing signs of failure (bending posts, sagging sections, discoloration, crooked gates). Proper installation is just as important as the product. Also, in our area, I recommend a reinforced vinyl fence because of our occasional high winds.
The bottom line is that a homeowner wants a product that stays attractive, strong, and long lasting. It is also the homeowners decision as to what and who they will select. There is no doubt that the right vinyl fence installed correctly can provide that.
From my perspective, I want a happy customer, not just on the day the fence is complete, but 15 years down the road. I also want to minimize callbacks. At this time, I recommend to homeowners who are sold on a vinyl fence to do some homework and select a professional vinyl fence builder with a long history, I am not that person. I am a cedar fence builder.
Whether you like them or not, vinyl fences have become very popular over the years. Because I like to know about the latest construction methods and materials, I have been researching vinyl fences.
There are at least two grades of vinyl fencing-the type that true vinyl fence pros use, and the products you can purchase at the big box stores. Within those types are a multitude of products. It can be confusing, and you usually get what you pay for.
Drive around the neighborhood and you can see vinyl fences that look great after several years, and others that are showing signs of failure (bending posts, sagging sections, discoloration, crooked gates). Proper installation is just as important as the product. Also, in our area, I recommend a reinforced vinyl fence because of our occasional high winds.
The bottom line is that a homeowner wants a product that stays attractive, strong, and long lasting. It is also the homeowners decision as to what and who they will select. There is no doubt that the right vinyl fence installed correctly can provide that.
From my perspective, I want a happy customer, not just on the day the fence is complete, but 15 years down the road. I also want to minimize callbacks. At this time, I recommend to homeowners who are sold on a vinyl fence to do some homework and select a professional vinyl fence builder with a long history, I am not that person. I am a cedar fence builder.
