All types of fences are installed using support poles. They are made from various materials and installed using different methods. These supports are designed not only to create the strength of the fence, acting as load-bearing elements - they give rigidity to the structure.
Competent marking of pillars
Before installing support poles, you need to correctly mark their position, think over and calculate the installation of supports. All these manipulations are performed before the purchase of the required materials. Before purchasing, the dimensions are entered into the markup on paper (drawing). It is impossible to make a mistake at this stage - the consequences will be difficult to correct. Incorrect marking will lead to a distortion of the fence and the collapse of parts of the structure on its side. The length between the posts is calculated based on the area and height of the fence. Most often, the distance between the supports does not exceed 3 meters.
Types of poles
Support pillars can be brick, wooden and metal, as well as concrete. On supports made of brick, you can install metal and woodenfences. On wooden supports, which are less stable, a chain-link mesh or a picket type of fence is attached. The heaviest is the concrete canvas. Only a concrete support is suitable for him.
Concrete supports
These designs are not in high demand. Although they have an indisputable advantage - a very long service life. Such unpopularity is associated with certain disadvantages - the installation of concrete supports is too laborious. Installation is difficult due to the large weight. For such supports, only a concrete foundation is needed. Due to the bulkiness, concrete structures are not very attractive.
Wooden poles
Pillars made of wood are also not in high demand for use - the wood begins to rot quickly. In addition, the canvas is suitable only from the same material. Wooden supports are more difficult to care for than brick ones, and they will not be able to support a heavy canvas. Pros: this type of poles can be made independently, they have an attractive appearance and are environmentally friendly, so they will not harm he alth. Supporting wooden poles serve 20-30 years. They are chosen to build hedges of small height, and are also created as temporary fences. The photo above shows such a support post for stairs - as an option for using wood. It is clearly seen that this vertical element serves as support for the structure as a whole.
Brick supports
Brick pillars are very popular. The structures are strong and have a long service life. Material sizeallows you to make supports of various shapes, which will give them an attractive appearance. The price of a brick is quite high, but you can build brick supports yourself.
Sometimes brick supports are made as a decoration for a manor and a house built from the same material. In this case, brick pillars are the "calling card" of the owners of the home.
Metal supports
Metal poles are installed faster when compared with the previous three types of structures. The price of metal supports is not too high, they can last a long time. Also, such poles can withstand sufficient loads without any defects for themselves. Minus - over time, the material corrodes, as a result of which it must be treated with a special solution.
Metal supports are universal. They are suitable for installing barriers such as chain-link mesh, wooden picket fence, plastic sections, and corrugated board. Metal support poles are made from hollow pipes. They are strong and stable. Service life of about 50 years.
Methods of installing supports
Before you choose and install posts, you need to calculate all the factors to ensure the stability of the entire fence. You need to take into account the load, soil properties, as well as material capabilities and types of fence.
All factors combined will help you choose between dry, tape or spot installation method.
Dry method
With this method, the support is lowered into a hole in which sand is poured mixed with rubble. Primingfilled with water and tamped. Fixing support pillars in this way is simple, you can do it yourself, it is not expensive in terms of money.
But a post dug in by the dry method can quickly loosen, so heavy fences cannot be attached to it. This method is used when installing lightweight fences that are dug into solid ground.
Installation steps:
- Drill a hole up to 1 m 20 cm in the soil.
- Wrap the post with roofing felt.
- Install the support in the drilled well.
- Check for correct installation (vertical).
- Fill up the remaining space between the support and the soil with sand and gravel.
- Last of all, fill the filled well with water and compact the soil. Then the post will be well fortified.
Point method
This method is widespread. It's not overly expensive and yet effective. This method is used for mounting a fence made of heavy material - the poles cannot be loosened and will last for many years. This method is not applicable if groundwater flows close to the surface - there is a possibility of raising support pillars.
Installation steps:
- Drill a hole.
- Make a pillow out of sand.
- Isolate the supports from moisture penetration (wrap with roofing felt).
- Mount the poles exactly vertically.
- Knead the solution.
- Pour the mixture and check the strength.
Tape method
This method is the longest, most expensive and difficult. Hisused to mount light railings. The initial stage of work is digging a ditch. Next, you need to drill wells in those places where the supports will be located. After that, around the holes, you need to install an armored belt, which is covered with sand and gravel by 2.5 cm. Pour water on top and also tamp. If the strength is sufficient, it will withstand the pressure of concrete.
You can improve drilling by applying water, which must be poured and wait up to 15 minutes until the soil becomes softer. After a week, the foundation is isolated from possible moisture ingress. For waterproofing, the formwork is removed and the concrete is covered with bituminous mastic (it is also possible with roofing material). Then the gaps are filled with sand and rammed.
Clogging
For clay soil during the installation of the structure, the clogging method is used. This method is implemented quite simply and is suitable for installing metal piles. Other types of supports will not bear the load from above at the time of clogging. Holes are made in the soil. They should be slightly smaller in size in the diameter of the mounted support. The depth of the well is at least 60% of the length of the column immersion. This method of installing a support post requires a partner. He will help check the verticality, hold the stepladder while the main worker drives the pile into the ground with a sledgehammer.
Cons: some inconvenience of work and difficult conditions for clogging manually. To install a support pillar, you need to be higher than it, and when you hit it, you need a certain force. The clogging process is unsafe. Moreover, we must not forget to track the verticality. Before starting work, be sure to checka sledgehammer to prevent a sharp flight during driving.
Building a prefabricated structure
There is a prefabricated type support. This design is easy to install, it is characterized by increased stability. The prefabricated system has two components: a pillar and a support, which is mounted into the ground by driving. The parts are connected with bolts. The lower one has a convenient shape - the end is made in the form of a screw, which saves time and effort for driving it into the ground. The process is similar to screwing in a screw, which, when it enters the ground, seals it around. This fastening method allows you to hold the canvas of increased weight.
Concreting is not always the right solution in the construction of a fence and the installation of supporting pillars. Before the installation process, it is necessary to check the type of soil, the depth of the passage of groundwater.
If the site consists of clay soil, its humidity is increased, it is better to choose a different method of erecting a fence and mounting support pillars. In this case, there is a chance to avoid unpleasant consequences.
