Here is the first post of 2022. This is turning out to be a year of surprises.
Actually, much of my troubles began back in December 2012 when a storm with very strong winds came by and knocked down one of the garden fence panels (just behind Buddha). It was a combination of wind and rotting posts.
The fence was built in stages starting back in 2010. I knew I would get at least ten years out of the cedar posts, which I did not want to treat with chemicals, so I can't complain that they have lasted 12 years.
I quickly discovered that most of the posts were in a similar condition and that it was just a matter of time before they all failed. My plan was to put off taking apart the fence and building a new one until spring. Unfortunately, I suffered another major cardiac event in early April, so my ability to do the strenuous work to complete the fence will be limited. I'm hoping I can hire someone to help with the old post removal and new post holes that will need to be dug.
With the help of my wife, we were able to take down the fence piece by piece (she did all the hard work). We piled them up for repair and reuse where possible.
Wood is expensive these days, so any recycling will help save the budget. We were also able to detach the moon window intact.
I have come to learn over the years that the best way to avoid having the posts rot was to use a protective cover that wraps around the posts at the point where the air and ground meet. This is where rot occurs. If there is oxygen, soil, and water, that will rot the posts. Three feet down they are not rotted due to the lack of oxygen, only the one foot area just below and above the surface show signs of rot.
Unfortunately, the original fence did not have any protection installed. In 2018 I had a similar problem with two posts. As part of the solution, I installed post protectors - a metal cover with a rubberized protective seal inside, about 1 foot long. They have held up well and those two posts are solid and secure.
This time around I am going a bit more extreme. I am going to use 4 in. x 4 in. x 30 in. In-Ground HDPE Fence Post Decay Protectors.
I am hoping these longer protectors will ensure that the new posts don't snap at the surface and will possibly last even longer that 12 years. Only time will tell (Note: they were not inexpensive).
The garden looks sad now that the fence is gone.
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| Before |
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| After |
It will take some time and effort, but with a few modifications the fence will be rebuilt and renewed, as will I.
