Building a fence around your property might seem like a simple task. All you have to do is to build the fence to the right size so that it can enclose your yard, right? However, there are some common mistakes that many people make when they are building fences – so it is important to avoid them so that you can save yourself the hassle. Read on to find out about what you should not do when you are building a fence.
Do Not: Forget to Contact a Land Surveyor
It is always important to contact a land surveyor before you start working on your fencing project, so that they can stake out your property. It is essential to make sure that the fence is constructed on the dividing line between your property and that it doesn’t encroach on your neighbour’s property. Sometimes homeowners are a little bit off in their estimate of the property line and they end up building the fence in the wrong place by accident.
Also, it is very important to know where the gas lines are before you start digging to build a fence. Call your gas company and they should provide you with a free service that will mark your property for lines, so that you are aware of where you should not be digging.
Do Not: Fail to Notify Your Neighbour
When you build a fence it is common courtesy, not to mention sometimes a legal requirement, to notify your neighbour about the fence and how tall it will be. Make sure that you give your neighbours plenty of notice about the fence and clear information about what it will look like. If your neighbour has an issue about the fence, for example it will may be so tall that it will block the light to their garden or make their outdoor sitting area in shadow, then you can discuss those issues then. You can work with your neighbourhood to design a fence that suits everyone and meets the guidelines, rather than having issues come up later.
You can let your neighbour know with an official fencing notice, but you can also do this with another type of agreement -such as signing a quote provided by a fencing contractor. It is a good idea to have this agreement in writing so that if any disagreements come up in the future there is no confusion.
Do Not: Forget to Let it Set Before You Seal
Once the fence has been constructed, it is crucial to allow it time to dry out before you seal it. If you try to stain the wood before it is perfectly dry, the product you are applying may not be absorbed properly by the wood.
If you can apply clear wood preservatives and stain the fence once it is completely dry, this will increase the longevity of the fence and ensure that it lasts for several years.
Do Not: Forget About Specific Requirements if You Have a Pool
If you have a swimming pool on your property, there will be legal requirements about how tall your fence can be. Make sure that you are aware of the requirements for fencing, as well as the type of materials you can use and the type of gate you can have.
Do Not: Use Undersized Hinges
A common mistake that many people make when they are building a gate for their fence is choosing undersized hinges when purchasing fencing supplies in North Wales. The gate will weigh too heavily and the hinges will not be able to hold the weight, so they will bend and wear. The hinges might hold at first, but make sure that they are big and strong enough so that they will stand up to the use of the gate over many years.
Do Not: Only Have One Exit and Entry Point
For safety reasons, it is best to have at least two access points to your yard. That way, if one is blocked off you will still have another option for exiting or entering your yard. Sometimes homeowners forget to plan for a second exit and entrance when they are building the fence.
These are just a few very important things that you should be aware of, before you start building a fence on your property. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can find great materials from Richard Williams and make sure that this project will go smoothly.
