All types of fences are installed using support poles. They are made from various materials and installed by various methods. These supports are not only designed to create the strength of the fence, performing the functions of load-bearing elements - they add rigidity to the structure.
Competent marking of posts
Before installing the support poles, you need to correctly mark out their position, think through and calculate the installation of the supports. All these manipulations are carried out before purchasing the required materials. Before purchase, the dimensions are entered in the markup on paper (drawing). There is no mistake at this stage - the consequences will be difficult to correct. Incorrect marking will lead to a skew of the fence and a blockage 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 Posts
Support poles can be brick, wood and metal, as well as concrete. On supports made of bricks, metal and wooden fences can be installed. On wooden poles, which are less stable, they attach a netting net or a fence type of fence. The heaviest is concrete. For him, only support for concrete is suitable.
Concrete support
These designs are not too much in demand. Although the advantage is indisputable - a very long service life. This unpopularity is associated with certain disadvantages - the installation of concrete supports is too time-consuming. Installation is complicated due to its heavy weight. For such supports only a concrete foundation is needed. Due to the bulkiness, concrete structures are not too attractive.
Wooden poles
Pillars made of wood also do not have a high demand for use - the wood begins to rot quickly. In addition, the canvas is suitable only from the same material. Wooden poles are more difficult to care for than brick ones, and they will not be able to support a heavy canvas. Pros: this type of pillars can be done independently, they have an attractive appearance and are environmentally friendly, so they will not harm health. Supporting wooden poles serve 20-30 years. They are chosen to build hedges of small height, and also created as temporary fences. The photo above shows such a support pillar for a staircase - as an option for using wood. It is clearly seen that this vertical element serves as a support for the structure as a whole.
Brick supports
Brick support posts are very popular. The structures are durable and have a long service life. The size of the material allows you to make supports of various shapes, which will give them an attractive appearance. The price of brick is quite high, but brick supports can be built independently.
Sometimes brick supports are made as a decoration for a manor and a house built from the same material. In this case, the brick pillars are the “calling card” of the homeowners.
Metal supports
Poles made of metal are installed faster when compared with the three previous 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 undergoes corrosion, as a result of which it must be treated with a special solution.
Metal supports are universal. They are suitable for the installation of barriers such as mesh netting, fences made of wood, sections made of plastic, as well as corrugated board. The supporting posts are made of metal from hollow pipes. They are strong and stable. Service life about 50 years.
Mounting methods
Before you select and install the columns, you need to calculate all the factors to ensure stability throughout the fence. It is necessary to take into account the load, soil properties, as well as material capabilities and types of fence.
All factors together will help you choose among the dry, tape or spot installation method.
Dry way
With this method, the support is lowered into a hole in which sand is poured mixed with crushed stone. The soil is poured with water and rammed. The fastening of support poles in this way is simple, you can do it yourself, it is not costly for money.
But the column, dug in by the dry method, can quickly become loose, therefore, it is impossible to attach heavy fences to it. This method is used when installing lightweight fences that are dug into solid soil.
Installation steps:
- Drill a hole in the soil up to 1 m 20 cm in size.
- Wrap the post with roofing material.
- Install the support in the drilled well.
- Check the installation (vertical).
- Fill the remaining space between the support and the soil with sand, as well as crushed stone.
- Lastly, add water to a well-filled well and compact the soil. Then the pillar will be well strengthened.
Point method
This method is widespread. It is not too expensive in price and at the same time effective. This method is used for mounting a fence made of heavy material - the posts are not susceptible to loosening and will last for many years. This method does not apply if groundwater flows close to the surface - there is a possibility of raising the support pillars.
Installation steps:
- Drill a hole.
- Make a pillow out of sand.
- Isolate the supports from moisture penetration (wrap with roofing material).
- Mount the posts exactly vertically.
- Knead the solution.
- Pour the mixture and check the strength.
Tape method
This method is the longest, expensive and most difficult. It is used to mount light railings. The initial phase of work is digging a ditch. Next, you need to drill wells in those places where the supports will be. After around the holes you need to install an arm belt, which is covered with sand and gravel 2.5 cm. Top with water, and also tamp. If the strength is sufficient, it will withstand the pressure of concrete.
Drilling can be improved 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. For waterproofing, formwork is removed and the concrete is coated with bituminous mastic (it is also possible with roofing material). Then the gaps are filled with sand and rammed.
Clogging
For clay soil during installation, the method of clogging is used. This method is implemented quite simply and approaches the installation of metal piles. Other types of supports will not bear the load from above at the time of clogging. Depressions are made in the soil. They should be slightly smaller in diameter of the mounted support. The depth of the well is at least 60% of the immersion length of the column. This method of installing the support column needs a partner. He will help to check the verticality, hold the ladder, while the main worker with a sledgehammer drives a pile into the ground.
Cons: some inconvenience and difficult driving conditions manually. To install the support column, you need to be higher than it, and when you hit, you need a certain force. The clogging process is unsafe. Moreover, you must not forget to track verticality. Before starting work, it is necessary to check the sledgehammer in order to prevent sudden flies during hammering.
Prefabricated Construction
There is a prefabricated support. This design is convenient to install, it is characterized by increased stability. The prefabricated system has two components: a pillar and a support, which is mounted in the ground by the clogging method. Parts are bolted together. The bottom 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 entering the ground, compacts it around. This method of attachment allows you to hold the canvas of increased gravity.
Concreting is not always the right decision in the construction of the fence and the installation of support pillars. Before the installation process, it is necessary to check the type of soil, the depth of groundwater passage.
If the site consists of clay soil, its humidity is increased, it is better to choose a different method of erecting a fence and installing support pillars. In this case, it is likely to avoid unpleasant consequences.