However, you might have to part with some of those savings in the fencing install process. Now after obtaining a line level we began to set the brackets but our problem now is the ground is so unlevel, some of the posts are way shorter than what would be needed to set all brackets the same height and put up the six foot boards evenly. If you have a small elevation change from one corner to the next without any major dips or high spots, your fence will follow the gradual slope of your yard. Straight across the top, straight across the bottom, with a small gap underneath. With a stair-stepped approach, which you’ll do if you’re building with preassembled panels, one side of the fence will have a larger gap between the picket and the ground than the other. Another option is installing a horizontal board (sometimes called a kickboard or rot board) along the bottom of your fence panels. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them) should be the only fence components that contact the ground. To install a fence on uneven land, you will need the following items: How far off the ground should a wood fence be? Your posts should be at least two feet in the ground and anchored by a layer of gravel and concrete that is flush with the ground. Another reason for the weakness is the specificity of their structure. Set each post in concrete, leveling it with a level as you add the concrete. or, level top, trim the bottom to follow the ground. This should provide a fairly consistent gap at the bottom of your fence. Let the concrete set for 24 … Our traditional fencing systems can be installed to follow the ground level in a gradual slope (known as raking) or if using panel form fencing with slotted Jakposts it steps up or down depending on the slope (known as stepping). Set the first picket in place with its top even with the mason's line. When have placed all the posts, Move the string to the top of the posts. Using the contour method makes building a fence on uneven ground as easy as on level ground. First time building a wood fence and we set the post without a line level all above 6ft. To allow fences to be shifted to follow the contour of a slight slope, medium slope, steep slope (up to 30 degrees) we over-punch the holes where the vertical pickets go through the horizontal … It is a good idea to start by identifying the precise boundaries of the space to … When the ground slopes significantly, stepped fence panels allow the fence to follow the grade and maintain a relatively consistent gap at the bottom of the fence. Before trying to install a chain link fence on an uneven surface, it is important to know the difference between the two purposes of fence posts. Sometimes I look at mine and wish I had installed it level and stepped it down instead. This choice is up to preference. Very few fences are built on completely flat terrain. Some homeowners don’t want a space between the bottom of their fence and the ground. (Fig. The top of the fence should be level. Use a level to make sure that it is … Ordering materials. Adjust the height by cutting the bottom to the desired length. It should be on as level a spot as possible, with the hinge on the downhill side. We live in a wild world with diverse, dramatic terrain. Our patron sent in, as per instructions, a measurement from the top of the hill to the post at the bottom of the hill. Leveling the top of the fence is easy. That’s right, you can install a beautiful fence on uneven land. Last Updated: August 9, 2016. STUDYING THE SOIL. Maybe they don’t like the look of a gap. They are specifically designed to adjust out of the square. Read our blog for more information. As you’re securing each panel, you can level the tops while ensuring your fence follows a logical line. Pickets are not perfect and level themselves so you have to use the string as reference. Essentially, your fence gets higher as the ground gets higher. Most fences (excluding panel fencing) can be safely and properly installed on uneven ground through contour fence construction. Additionally, when installing your posts, give them time to properly set before … The main pro of keeping your uneven land will be saving the time and resources it would take to make the property level enough. You can choose to go deeper and use more gravel and concrete, but if you do not do the minimum then you may find yourself reinstalling your fence after the first significant gust of wind or major snowfall. When building a fence on uneven terrain, one option is to follow the contours of your yard. DO install end and corner posts first. The rails of the fence should follow your property using the contour method, no matter if the ground goes up or down. Measure at least two inches off the ground and attach your pickets to the backer rails starting at one end. This method works best when the slope is slight rather than dramatic. Wherever the ground goes up or down, the rails of the fence follow it. Fortunately, installing a fence on uneven ground is not rocket science. In the area where I live we have an assortment of gravity block retaining walls and the ones that follow the slope usually don't look as good in my opinion. https://centralfenceco.com/should-you-level-your-land-before-installing-a-fence Wood pickets should never touch it. Make sure looking at a retaining wall that isn't level doesn't bug you! Or maybe they have a critter concern – they don’t want a small pet escaping under the fence, or small critters getting in. Farm fence installations can be a hassle, especially when the ground that the fence is being installed on is rough or bumpy. ©1999 - 2021 Universal Forest Products, Inc. All rights reserved. This option takes a little more time but the end result will be a perfectly level yard and fence. However, where the ground levels on either side of the fence are significantly different, the height should be measured from the lower ground level. In most applications, a wood fence should be installed at least two inches off the ground. You don't want an six foot fence becoming three feet. Installing a fence on a hill doesn’t have to mean leveling your yard with heavy equipment. Racking means that the fence will follow the ground’s contours. And it allows for drainage, which is particularly helpful on sloped landscapes. If you’re looking at having a fence installed on your commercial or residential property, you’ve got a lot to think about, including style, size, placement, and much more. If you’re building a fence with individual pickets, you’ll need to check for level more often. Measure the distance of each panel and dig holes for fence posts. P rowell's Fence Style #26 accompanying gate style #111. There are benefits to either so let’s go over the pros of each. And for rural style post and rail fences the rails are installed parallel to the ground and with no regard for true level, but for urban privacy style … Be sure the side with the smaller gap is at least two inches off the ground, with a larger gap on the other side of the panel. Start at the highest point and work down. Using a kickboard will close the gap while also protecting your pickets from moisture absorption. And if you’re fortunate enough to have level terrain to work with, there’s really just one tricky step—setting the posts. Keep in mind that rackable panels are usually weaker compared to rigid panels because they are often made of aluminum or vinyl. Whether the ground is rough and patchy or goes up or down, leveling out a fence line is essential for creating a strong, sturdy fence that will last for generations. This all depends on the ground and how much or little gap is acceptable under the fence. Save back-breaking time by knowing the best way to build a good fence when the ground you need to surround is uneven. Gates must be bonded to the gate support post, and each gate support post must be bonded to the grounding electrode system. If you’re installing your fence parallel to the slope, maintain consistent spacing between the pickets and the ground along the fence run. If there are minor grade changes, you don't need to make any adjustments. You really only use it as a reference, you will want to use a 2 ft level and simply make each picket you put up level with the last 2 pickets you just placed. The images below show the difference between the two install types. Erecting a fence on sloping ground means stepping the panels or rails down in stages. Check for level and plumb every 3-4 pickets. Raised Garden Beds vs. Elevated Garden Planters. However, that doesn’t mean that … The depth of the step very much depends on the severity of the slope. Using a spacer block between the ground and the bottom of the pickets may help with installation. The main thing to take away is that the choice is yours. This is a great option if you just need a fence to keep people or animals out or are okay with the stairstep option of making each panel different heights to accommodate the change in landscape. While it might seem that uneven, undulating terrain poses a substantial obstacle to fence construction, that is only the case for panel fencing. Well, the answer is really that it’s up to you. The first purpose is that of a terminal post, which is a post that a fence panel ends on. Divide the number of panels by the drop to find the individual drop points with each panel. Have a clear idea of WHY you are building a fence. If you’re concerned with animals crawling beneath your fence, you could fill the gap with critter fence or chicken wire. When wood pickets touch the ground, they absorb moisture, which can lead to swelling or rot. Will a fence look good on such uneven land or will you need to level the lawn before the install can begin? If you are building a fence using preassembled fence panels, the pickets are already attached to the backer rails. This means that the horizontal rails of your fence will follow your yard in a smooth line that is parallel to the ground rather than level across the entire fence. If you choose to keep your land as it is, you can go right into the install and although there might be some complications or compromises on style or look, your fence will do its job with ease. Knowing how to install a wire fence on uneven ground can ensure that you are prepared if your fence installation project runs into difficulty. When measuring the height of the fence, normally this would be measured from the natural ground level of the fence owner’s property. Using your fence map as a guide, order your lumber, concrete, and fasteners. Your fence will look like this. So the choice is up to you. Check for level and attach the panel to the posts. Using a spacer block between the ground and the bottom of the pickets may help with installation. The key point about fencing on a slope is that you should not try to follow the contour of the land with your fence posts and panels, otherwise it … Measure at least two inches off the ground and attach your pickets to the backer rails starting at one end. As they say, a fence is only as strong as its posts. Check for level and plumb every 3-4 pickets. Bonding jumpers are required at each fence corner and at maximum 160 ft. intervals along the fence. If you need to, stagger the top of the fence like steps, depending on the slope and height of the fence. You don’t have to level the land to have a beautiful fence for your property but even if you do, you’ll love the results. Copyright ©2019 Central Fence Co. All Rights ReservedMade with by Mariposa InteractiveCentral Fence BlogCareers, How to Determine if Your Tree is Healthy or Not, 3 Things to Look for in a Commercial Fence. You have two choices when it comes to putting up a fence on sloped ground -- actually, you have three, because it's possible combine the first two options into another one. Mark the post and gate locations and the distance between post centers on your fence map. It allows the top and bottom rails to stay parallel to the grade. For starters, it’s expensive and labor-intensive to level a yard — and it takes away the natural beauty of a sloped yard. This board is typically a 2x6 piece of lumber treated to ground contact. Of course, it will cost more in resources to level your land first but a fence can easily go up once the ground is smooth. When it comes to most landscaping projects (including fencing), flat yards are preferable because they require less prep time and fewer adjustments. Two of the options are to follow the slope of the ground with the fence line -- which is called raking -- or to keep the fence line horizontal and follow the ground in steps. The space also makes it easier to do yard maintenance and clean up along the base of the fence. It is to keep dogs in your yard? When building a wood fence, be sure to plan for a space between the pickets and the ground. If the ground has dips or humps the top of the fence must mirror the bottom. Bonding jumpers are required on each side of the crossing where bare overhead conductors cross the fence. All you need to do is attach it to the posts. If so, perhaps all … Installing a Chain Link Fence on Unlevel Ground. One thing that might be on your mind is the shape of your land, particularly how hilly the area might be. Lining up the posts accurately is critical to a successful vinyl … Measure at least two inches off the ground and mark your posts or place a spacer block beneath the fence panel. Leaving a space between the pickets and the ground prevents this moisture absorption from occurring, giving you a longer-lasting and nicer-looking fence. If the ground is flat or the grade is consistent, then the fence should be flat or straight. Here is a photo for reference: Tie a level line between each post to help ensure you align the panel correctly. If you’re building a fence with individual pickets, you’ll need to check for level more often. There are two ways to tackle a slope – either parallel or stair-stepped. C). You want to stay generally near the string and you can … Your new fence will be just as level as your yard and make a great addition to your home or business. I do this a little bit of both ways, for localized dips(less than 2 section lengths) I usually make the fence span the dip at one level, but if the land has a broad arch up or down over the whole length I follow the lay of the land and put the fence at a consistent level off the ground. The opening for the gate should be a whole multiple of the fence board width, plus 3/4 in. If you have either of those concerns, there are some ways you can hide or fill that gap. If you don’t like the look of the gap, consider planting small shrubs, daylilies, or other dense foliage along the fence line to hide the gap. Landscapes with a steeper slope or major grade changes, however, will take more planning. The task is moderately easy. At Edge Wholesale Direct, we provide a wide variety of fencing solutions across BC and Alberta. Fairly common to just let the fence follow the ground. If you want a level field for your fence to be installed on or have other reasons that you think a level landscape would work best for your needs, it’s a solid pick.
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