Wood has many advantages, the main of which is its environmental friendliness. It is absolutely harmless to humans and the environment, as are forests. Moreover, many tree species, on the contrary, are even beneficial to health. Pine, for example, has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system.
Also, wood has good strength: a wooden fence can well protect the territory from uninvited guests; especially if it was made of oak or larch.
Almost all types of wood lend themselves well to processing: if desired, you can cut out a whole work of art from them. But, unfortunately, the wooden structure has one serious drawback - it is exposed to the negative effects of moisture. Wooden fencing, located in the open air, quickly becomes unusable after precipitation.
In addition, it can be adversely affected by wind and sun. The first one can be so strong that the tree cannot withstand its gusts. The second is able to deprive the wood of its original color.
It is very important to take care in time that the wooden fence is protected from negative environmental factors. There are many different ways to process wood and it is important to choose the right one, the one that guarantees the preservation of an attractive appearance for many years.
Logs that are used to make a fence need at least two different protections. One of them needs to cover the upper part - the one that is not buried in the soil. Another tool is applied to the lower part - the one that will be in the ground.
Mistakes that are made when impregnating pillars
First of all, it is necessary to understand why they become unusable. The most common cause is exposure to water. It, penetrating into the structure of the material, creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of microorganisms. And if the upper part of the column can dry out under the influence of wind or sun, then under wet ground the drying process is almost impossible.
The column begins to rot from below, becomes covered with mold, harmful insects appear there. The best way to deal with this is to treat it with antiseptic and waterproofing agents.
Very often, the causes of damage to a wooden fence are the wrong choice of building materials, violation of the rules for surface treatment. When choosing a post for a future fence, you need to pay attention to the quality of the wood. It should not be rotten, its moisture content should be less than 15%.
Before treatment with antiseptic substances, it is necessary to remove the bark from the log and dry it thoroughly. Immediately you need to decide which end of the log will be the lower and which the upper. In order to prevent the absorption of water from the soil through the capillaries, it is necessary to install the log with the butt up.
After treating the lower part with an antiseptic, you can not wrap it with roofing material. After all, if water penetrates into the gap between the log and the layer of roofing material, it will not evaporate from there.
Processing the bottom of the post
Tar
One of the ways to process the lower, underground part of a wooden support post is to coat its surface with birch tar or spruce resin. This method is the oldest and most proven.
Machine oil
It can be considered the cheapest, since no serious problems should arise when purchasing engine oil. First, the oil must be heated, and then applied in several layers. In this case, one should not forget about cracks and ends.
The mineral oil that makes up this substance is a good water-repellent antiseptic. Also, the composition of the substance includes acid salts that can destroy any fungus formed in the tree.
Bitumen
Another popular method for processing pillars is to use bitumen. First, the lower part must be fired until a charred layer is formed a few millimeters thick, then bitumen is applied to the charred surface.
Usually the log is covered with two layers of bituminous impregnation. After applying the first, you must wait about 24 hours until it hardens. Then a second layer is applied. In hardware stores, you can buy special synthetic waterproofing agents designed to protect wood. They can be sold in the form of mastics, pastes, etc.
Post top processing
After the post is installed by any of the methods, it is necessary to treat its visible part with an antiseptic substance, and then also paint or varnish to improve the appearance. This part of the post also needs special protection. First of all, you need to choose the appropriate type of coverage.
There are a variety of wood preservatives available in hardware stores designed to preserve the texture of wood. If you plan to paint the fence, then for this you can choose as an ordinary oil paint.
Before applying paint, the wood must be primed. The paint layer needs to be renewed every few years. The paint is applied with a brush. It is recommended to start at the top and then gradually move down. If you do the opposite, then the paint will constantly drain onto the already painted part of the column.
You can varnish the wooden post. It will provide good protection and make the fence attractive. For the treatment of wooden fences, alkyd varnishes are mainly used, as they have good properties. But for the environment, they are not as safe as acrylic varnishes. Nitro-varnishes have good properties, but, unfortunately, they are very toxic.
Having chosen one or another varnish on a wooden surface, it must be applied according to the technology. To do this, you can use a small brush made of natural hair. First you need to brush over the surface, and then grind thoroughly. It takes about a day for the varnish to dry. After that, you can apply a second layer. Thanks to the varnish, the wood will become shiny, and at the same time it will not lose its natural color.
Wooden poles in suburban areas are still very popular. If we are talking about a capital monster fence, made of a metal profile with a claim “for centuries”, which should intimidate a potential intruder with its appearance, of course it is better to use concrete or metal poles-pipes. But when it is necessary to enclose a front garden with flowers, to protect the garden from the penetration of domestic animals, and in general, only to designate a decorative fence, it is better to use cheap wooden poles. But wooden poles, unfortunately, have a very low durability, since the tree rots very quickly when in contact with constantly wet ground. Even oak and larch, which in water, without contact with atmospheric oxygen, stand for centuries, being buried in the ground will not last even two decades. But there are fairly simple ways to protect wooden poles from decay.
First of all, consider the causes of decay. Wood rots in the constant presence of moisture and oxygen. Such conditions are created at the border of earth and air, in the place where the pillar sticks out of the ground. In this place, decay occurs most intensively. Above this place, the wood is well ventilated and does not rot so intensively. Below - on the contrary, oxygen is not enough for active decay and decay there also slows down. This means that we need to take some measures to protect the tree at the point where the wooden post leaves the ground.
The second point is the typical mistakes of summer residents when using wooden poles and supports. Firstly, in most cases they bury the pole on the wrong side. Wood raises its juices along the trunk due to osmosis. Osmosis is the upward movement of fluid through the finest capillaries. And if you bury a log in the same way as it grew (butt below), then it will continue to draw moisture from the ground into the trunk. If you bury it upside down, the suction of moisture along the trunk will decrease significantly.
Secondly, to protect the tree, its underground part is often smeared with molten bitumen, wrapped with roofing material. In this case, a kind of "glass" is formed. Moisture, having got into it once, can no longer leave it, and the tree constantly has its own supply of moisture.
Thirdly, completely unprepared raw wood is used for temporary use, cheap, “replace at any time”. But there is nothing more permanent than temporary buildings. Over time, they are overgrown with infrastructure, they get used to them, and sometimes it’s not all of a sudden to get close to a rotten pole, let alone replace it. And the props and pegs begin to go. The fence takes on a dilapidated appearance.
Meanwhile, it is enough to carry out simple preparatory activities that will take a little time and your fence will be like new for many, many years, even with wooden posts. These rules are quite simple.
1. Initially use only healthy wood, dried, with no signs of rot. If this is not edged lumber, but a log - a pod, be sure to sand it and let it weather a little. And it is better in general - to dry out under a canopy for a year.
2. Soak the part that is planned for deepening, plus 30-50 cm above (remember that this is the apical part, not the butt), soak with a penetrating antiseptic. Better - by immersion for a day - two. Copper or iron vitriol has proven itself perfectly. A tree impregnated with a 5-7% solution of vitriol does not rot in the ground for 15-20 years.
3. So that the impregnation does not wash out, put on some kind of cap on the upper end of the column, nail a tin cover. Moisture is very intensively absorbed into the butt of the tree. And the cover not only protects the tree from moisture, but can also serve as a decorative decoration.
4. When installing the post, dig (drill) a hole 2-3 times wider than the diameter of the post. First, throw some large gravel at the bottom of the hole. Then, having installed a post, fill the hole with large gravel as well, and not with earth. Thus, you will ensure excellent drainage of the underground part of the column and its relative ventilation. It will be even better if you first insert a "glass" without a bottom into the hole made of non-woven material such as "Agrotex", "Geotextile", etc. It will not allow the drainage to become clogged with earth.
5. Be sure to paint the column itself. This will not only improve its appearance, but also protect it from moisture. But it is recommended to paint only well-dried wood.
6. If you want to really solve the issue with the columns completely, then you can use metal sleeves - pipe trimmings. They are buried in the ground so that they rise 10-15 cm above the ground. And wooden posts are inserted into them. So you can save a lot on columns, because. wood is much cheaper than metal, and one post will only take about 1/3 of the pipe you would have to use, make the posts all metal. Yes, and the wooden posts look prettier. So that the column does not fall into the sleeve, the diameter of the latter is taken somewhat smaller than the size of the column, and the column itself is hemmed to the required size.
As you can see, the activities are not at all complicated, but they will make your wooden posts practically “eternal”.
Wooden fences are a traditional type of private territory fencing in Russia, which is still popular today. Supports for construction are often chosen wooden. True, in order for the structure to last for a long time, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the material and properly prepare the beam or log for installation.
Benefits of installing wooden poles
Wooden fence posts are suitable as a supporting structure for wooden and metal picket fence, corrugated board. Along with reinforced concrete and metal supports, wooden ones are still often chosen. Why:
- Low cost is one of the key reasons. Even a processed log will cost much less than products made from other materials;
- Availability of products is also an important advantage. Pillars can be bought ready-made or made by yourself;
- The ease of installation of the pillars eliminates the need for lifting equipment, the process is available to any inexperienced developer;
- The environmental friendliness and aesthetics of natural wood need no introduction. A log can be given any shape and any carved ornament can be sculpted on it.
What to pay attention to
Others will call these disadvantages, but we will rephrase them into features that need to be considered when choosing wooden poles for effective and long-term results:
- Wood is sensitive to moisture, both from the ground and from rain, fog, and melting snow. In order for the product to retain its shape and characteristics, it is necessary to treat it with waterproofing compounds.
- Protection of wooden poles from decay in the ground is ensured by applying antiseptic impregnations to the lower part of the product and its additional waterproofing.
- The service life of wood is short compared to concrete and metal, but it can be extended with proper care and timely processing of the product.
- Wooden supports are able to withstand only lightweight fencing structures; they are not suitable for forged and concrete structures.
How to make a pole with your own hands
Buying ready-made supports will cost much more than products of your own production. To make fence posts yourself, you will need deciduous tree trunks:
- Birch;
- Larch;
- Hazel.
The minimum diameter of the support should be 15 mm, if possible more.
To make a pillar, you need to take a pillar of stable thickness and remove the bark from it. If desired, the surface can be leveled with a planer and make a carved pattern, give the log a shape.
After manufacturing, the product must be coated with antiseptics, which will prevent the column from getting wet and protect it from decay. A 2-layer coating will not be superfluous, special attention is paid to the ends of the support, which perceive the most significant load and are least protected from water penetration.
How to process wooden poles before digging into the ground
One coating with antiseptics is not enough to protect the underground part of the pillar. It must be treated with waterproofing compounds. Suitable for this:
- Liquid molten bitumen;
- Polymeric special mastic coating;
- Tar;
- Technical development.
For waterproofing the underground part of the column, it is precisely a liquid coating that is needed. It adheres tightly to the material and creates reliable protection. Roll wraps in this case are ineffective.
Wooden fence installation
The principle of installation of wood poles for fences is as follows:
- The installation site is cleared of the fruitful layer, the rhizomes of plants are removed for the convenience of work;
- They dig a hole with a garden drill of a suitable diameter or call for special equipment;
- A pillow of crushed stone and sand is poured to the bottom;
- Lower the support into the pit;
- The soil is backfilled and compacted thoroughly.
Based on this principle, several methods for convenient installation of supports and fences are based.
Method 1. Working with finished products
The first method involves the use of finished poles as a support. It is necessary to purchase a set of cut wooden logs, treat the underground part with an antiseptic and waterproofing, and immerse the pillar in the ground in a hole prepared according to the main method.
Quick installation and no labor required to manufacture the poles saves time, but not money.
Method 2. Installing supports in the standard way
This installation method is good because it repeats the algorithm of the main plan, but has several distinctive features:
- The use of geotextiles to filter water and stabilize the soil layer. By the way, this is one of the ways to dig a wooden pole into the ground so that it does not rot;
- Backfilling of the pit can be done not with soil, but with rubble or large gravel. Such a support is more reliable than ground support, besides, it drains the soil from groundwater. When the soil is heaving, the column will not be forced out of the pit due to the work of large particles.
Method 3. We exclude rotting
Another way to protect wooden poles in the ground from rotting is by concreting. They replace the backfill of the soil. How to carry out the process:
- The pit is prepared in the usual way: drilling, sand and gravel cushion.
- The walls of the pit must be laid with 1-2 layers of roofing material. It will protect concrete from water, perform the function of formwork for mortar.
- The processed log is inserted into the pit, fixed with a wire harness in a strictly vertical position.
- The concrete solution is poured and compacted with a submersible vibrator.
This method of mounting wooden poles has several advantages:
- The absence of contact between wood and soil eliminates the decay of the latter;
- Supports significantly increase their service life compared to conventional buried ones. Heavier fences can be installed on the poles;
- Such a foundation does not require maintenance; with proper observance of the device technology, the pillars practically do not change their position.
Method 4. Combined poles
This method differs from others by the participation of another component - a metal or asbestos-cement pipe. It will work as an insulator of the log from the ground, all with the same purpose - the exclusion of direct contact between the earth and wood to maintain the strength of the support. How to install:
- 1) A pipe with a length of at least 1 meter is buried in such a way that about 15 cm remains above the ground.
- 2) The soil is poured back into the pit along the outer diameter of the pipe and it is carefully compacted.
- 3) The log is selected so that its diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the pipe. At the base of the pillar, a cut is made 30-40 cm long, cutting out a diameter that is 5-10 mm smaller than that of the pipe. The work requires high precision and accuracy. The result is a support with a lower base narrowed to the inner diameter of the pipe.
- 4) The cut area is impregnated with an antiseptic or drying oil and allowed to dry.
- 5) After the drying oil has dried, the end of the column is covered with hot tar and brought into the pipe. If gaps remain, they are also filled with this polymer.
The connection of the pipe and the column can be carried out even before instillation, there is not much difference, it's about the convenience of implementing actions.
Additional protective measures
Treatment of wood with an antiseptic and waterproofing before deepening into the ground does not guarantee the safety of the post during its service life. A few simple tips will help increase the service life:
- It is recommended to paint the aerial part of the support every 3-5 years in order to renew the peeling paint;
- Antiseptics can be replaced with ordinary oil paint, which leaves no chance for microflora;
- Before applying paint to the surface of the wood, it is desirable to re-prime the base. This will help create a long-lasting coating effect with additional wood impregnation.
- If the pillars are not concreted, it is advisable to carry out their diagnostics every 5-7 years in order to identify the processes of decay and marriage in work. It is often cheaper to fix a malfunction than to change structural elements.
- The most unprotected and water-absorbing part of the column is the top. There are a large number of wood channels on the cut, so water and moisture are intensively absorbed into them. Experts recommend purchasing special metal covers for each support. They are made in different versions, you can choose products suitable for your site or facade of the house.
The manufacture and installation of wooden fence posts is available to every developer, regardless of their experience in the construction business. It is enough to have the necessary set of tools in the arsenal and you can start assembling a wooden fence yourself.
In the construction of the main structure of the fence, the pillars play an important role, as they serve as a support. Their choice depends on the following factors: the material of the fence, the characteristics of the site (relief, type of soil), the design, length and height of the structure, and many others.
For the construction of different types of fences, poles have become popular: wooden, metal, concrete, brick. Today we will tell you about wooden poles and their features, advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to make and install wooden fence poles.
Features of wooden fence posts
Wooden poles serve support to support a fence made of any material (metal picket fence, corrugated board, metal tile). Wooden poles must be of high quality, made of dry wood without defects, chips, cracks and other damage. They are not cheap, and their service life with proper processing is 15-20 years. To ensure durability, their base is impregnated with antiseptics, opened with bitumen, wood stain, and the lower part is wrapped with waterproofing. For impregnation, a solution of copper sulphate is used.
You should know that the thickness of the column depends on the height of the fence. If the fence is higher than one and a half meters, then column thickness should be at least 15 × 15 cm. Fence posts are best taken from solid wood when the bark is simply removed from them. Wooden fence posts are not recommended as the fibers are on the outside and cannot be protected. The service life of poles made of timber is much shorter.
Wooden poles must not come into contact with earth. It is necessary to install the post with the thicker side up, which reduces the absorption of moisture into the wood. A cap must be made on the upper end of the column, which will not allow the impregnation to be washed out. Do not forget that wooden poles need to be touched up every year.
Advantages and disadvantages of wooden poles
Wooden poles used to build a fence have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of wooden poles:
- low price, in comparison with other materials used for their manufacture;
- ease of installation. Wooden poles can be installed independently, without outside help;
- availability this material for self-manufacturing of pillars;
- environmental friendliness and aesthetics. Wood is an environmentally friendly material, and high-quality poles made from it have a rather beautiful appearance.
Disadvantages of wooden poles:
- sensitive to the effects of precipitation;
- shorter service life compared to other types;
- limiting options for fences mounted on wooden poles.
How to make wooden fence posts
Of great importance is breed wood used in the manufacture of wooden poles for the construction of the fence. The most reliable and durable fence posts are made of oak. You can also use wood species such as beech, hazel, birch, larch. Coniferous and fruit-bearing trees are not used, since coniferous trees are soft and dry quickly, and fruit-bearing trees have a soft core.
For the fence can be made decorative poles, as well as threaded poles, which must be treated with special antiseptic agents.
How to install wooden fence posts
Before you install wooden poles for building a fence, you need to handle special antiseptic agents and they should dry well. The installation of wooden poles is carried out in the following order:
- Spend markup for the future fence, mark the places where the poles will be installed, taking into account the required interval between them (2 - 3 meters).
- They dig a pit with a shovel or drill a hole of the required depth with a drill for pillars, which depends on the type of soil.
- Install the pole in the dug hole.
- Fasten pillar by backfilling or concreting.
Pillars are set strictly vertically in a straight line with a certain distance to ensure a straight, strong fence. It is also necessary that the posts are dug to the same depth. The depth of the pit for pillars with a height of 1.2 m is 50 cm, for higher ones - 90 cm. To fill the base of the pillar with rubble, remove a layer of soil 15 cm.
A wooden pole is installed in a dug hole on brick. The verticality of the installation of the pillar is checked with a building level from all sides and it is fixed with wooden bars.
Then cooked solution(1 part of Portland cement and 4 parts of crushed stone) are laid out around the post and also rammed. So that rainwater does not linger near the pole, the solution is laid out with a cone.
The fixing of vertically exposed pillars can be done by backfilling, which can be carried out on heaving lands. Crushed stone, broken brick (red), fine gravel, sand are used as backfill. Fall asleep at the bottom of the pit sand, then install the pole and fix it with wedges. The space around the post is covered with rubble and carefully rammed. Concreting pillars on such lands Not recommended.
The easiest and most reliable way anchoring wooden fence posts - a piece of metal pipe. Its walls should be 3-4 mm, and the diameter should be slightly less than the diameter of the column or the same. The pipe is buried in the ground, leaving it 15 cm above ground level. The column is adjusted to the diameter of the pipe and installed in it.
Fastening wooden fence posts can be done using metal fence spikes or concrete spurs that keep the posts from touching the ground, preventing them from rotting. To protect from the weather, it is necessary to cut off the upper part of the pole obliquely to one side so that the water can drain well, or a cap must be nailed onto the pole. It is necessary to process the poles to protect them from moisture, direct sunlight, not only before their installation, but throughout the entire operational period.
From the above, it can be concluded that operational the life of wooden poles, as well as country fence, depends on the material from which it is made, the correct installation and care of them. If the norms for these three points are met, then the wooden poles will last for a long time.
