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Can The Wood At The Bottom Of A Fence Touch The Ground?
Be sure to leave enough space between the pickets and the ground while constructing a wood fence. A wood fence should be mounted at least two inches off the ground in most cases. The only fence elements that come into contact with the ground should be your posts and rot boards (if you want to use them). It should never be touched by wood pickets.
When wood pickets come into contact with the earth, they absorb moisture and can swell or rot. Leaving a gap between the pickets and the field avoids moisture absorption, resulting in a fence that lasts longer and looks better. It's also easier to do yard work and clean up along the fence's base now that there's more space. It also allows for drainage, which is particularly beneficial on sloped terrain.
When using prefabricated fence posts, the pickets are already connected to the backer rails if you're constructing a fence with pre assembled fence panels. All you have to do now is screw it into the posts. Mark your posts or put a spacer block underneath the fence panel at least two inches off the ground. Make sure the panel is level before attaching it to the posts.
Just a few fences are built on entirely flat ground. You don't need to make any adjustments if the grade changes slightly. Landscapes with a steeper slope or significant grade shifts, on the other hand, would necessitate further forethought. A slope can be approached in two ways: parallel or stair-stepped.
Parallel Method
Maintain clear distance between the pickets and the ground along the fence run if you're building the fence parallel to the hill.
Some homeowners dislike having a gap between their fence and the field. Maybe they don't like the way a distance looks. Or maybe they're worried about critters coming in – they don't want a small pet to get out or small critters to get in. If you're concerned about one of these issues, there are a few options for concealing or filling the void.
How do you cover the chasm?
Plant small shrubs, daylilies, or other thick vegetation along the fence line to cover the gap if you don't like the way it looks.
What can be done to bridge the gap?
Fill the gap with critter fencing or chicken wire if you're worried about animals creeping under your fence. Installing a horizontal board (also known as a kickboard or rot board) along the bottom of your fence panels is another alternative. This board is usually a 2x6 piece of lumber that has been treated to withstand ground contact. A kickboard can be used to close the gap while still shielding your pickets from moisture absorption.
Chemicals are pushed into the wood during pressure treatment to create a protective shield against insects and decay. Pressure-treated fence posts should be labelled for field use.
In the short term, a DIY fence can save you money, but if the posts aren't properly mounted, you'll end up with a fence that's more likely to rot. Make certain you understand how to mount the posts so that they do not come into contact with the soil. Alternatively, you might employ a competent fence installer.
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