Marketwise Don’t play the blame game over rotting fence posts; some simple steps can reinforce friendship and property values
Q: We split the cost of a good-neighbor fence at the back of our property in 2013. The neighbor behind us hired the firm to do the work. Due to the heavy rains in the last few years, the posts holding up our relatively new good-neighbor fence are rotting. While gardening, we noted soil in contact with the posts. The four-by-four wood posts supporting this fence are sunk into the ground and set in concrete. The problem is the concrete is about an inch below grade. As I moved the dirt away from the where the posts enter the ground, we could see dry rot or termite damage to each post. About 30 percent of the support posts at the ground level are missing. Huge chunks of wood are rotted away. What do good neighbors do in this predicament?
A: Real estate attorneys put their kids through college over fences and borders. I pay for all of the maintenance and most of the construction of my “good-neighbor” fences. Don’t blame a good neighbor who split the cost with you; many don’t. The concrete surrounding the bottom of the support posts should be visible 1 inch above the ground, not hidden below. The fencing firm will no doubt claim each neighbor should have kept dirt/ mud away from the fence posts. Additionally, metal Simpson Strong-tie fence post support brackets were available in 2013. Wood fences are expensive. Fence contractors are keeping their proposals competitive by not including metal fence posts or metal fence post brackets. Now, it’s best to have your wood fence support beams attached to the bracket 1 inch above the ground, while the bottom of the metal bracket is seated into the ground with concrete. The wood sold nowadays is new growth that does not fare well when exposed to sun, rain, termites or dry rot. Let this discovery save money. You and your good neighbor will avoid an impending fence replacement with the following: install metal fence post brackets, and stain the fence before summer and before winter. Plus, you’ll prevent any eyesore from appearing by applying a high-end stain after power-washing the sunburnt fence boards. When fences are wellmaintained, they add value and beautify a property; if sunburnt and distressed, they will detract from it.
Have a question? Know someone who is thinking of moving? Full-service Realtor Pat Kapowich provides turnkey services including relocation, staging, market analysis and strategic planning. 408-245-7700 or Pat@ Siliconvalleybroker. com. Broker License 00979413.