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Fixings into concrete fence post

How well is the concrete post concreted in?

Reply to
Jimk
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How well concreted in is the fence post?

Reply to
Jimk

I'm planning to hang a pair of wooden garden gates between the house wall on one side and a concrete fence post on the other. The hinge posts (i.e. the wooden post fixed to both the wall and the fence post) will be 70mm square and approx 1.7m high hardwood. I'm thinking of 4 fixings for each post. Any suggestions re the type and size of plugs/screws?

Yes, I understand about the problems drilling into concrete fence posts. I don't have an SDS drill but could probably borrow one or hire one if absolutely necessary.

It's the type and size of fixing that I'm not certain about.

TIA Pete

Reply to
petek

If you drill anywhere near the edge the concrete will shell off.

Bill

Reply to
williamwright

Have you thought of using clamps like the ones shown here:

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(I know it says "currently unavailable", but you might be able to get them elsewhere.)

Reply to
Jeff Layman

Also, is it reinforced by rebar rods inside? Avoiding hitting those is a very good suggestion. Brian

Reply to
Brian Gaff (Sofa 2)

As I said, I understand the problems with drilling in concrete fence posts. I can't guarantee what this post is like (my neighbour had it put up a couple of months ago) but as I understand it the rebar is usually in the corners where the section is considerably thinner. I'm intending to drill in the middle of the post, or slightly off centre alternately to give some resistance to twist. I have seen various clamps but I'm not too keen and would like something more permanent. So.... again as I said, what type and size of plugs/screws? Masonry screws? Frame fixings? Ordinary rawlplug and woodscrew (and if so what length/diameter)?

Reply to
petek

Substantial. I saw it going in and I know and trust the guy who did it. Probably a good couple of feet in the well compacted ground.

Reply to
petek

replying to petek, Stupot wrote: I would not trust plugs and screws. Drill right through and use M10 stainless steel bolts with washers. If you are confident enough of your measuring, drill from both sides into the middle to avoid an unsightly, ragged exit hole.

Reply to
Stupot

Well, nothing special. I'd be drilling 10mm holes, using blue plugs, and No 10 screws.

Bill

Reply to
williamwright

I'd consult with the neighbour before stuffing up his post. YMMV

Reply to
Richard

Most of the concrete posts I've ever used have several holes already and one simply uses long galvanised bolts and nuts to secure the wood.

Brian

Reply to
Brian Gaff (Sofa 2)

+1 bolt through rather than expansion fittings or rawlplugs.
Reply to
Robert

+1. !!!!
Reply to
Andrew

It's not his post. The only way to do it is, after agreeing with neighbour who owns the post, clamp a length of treated

4*2 or 3*1.5 to the concrete with stainless steel jubilee clips. Then fix your gate hinges on your own wall, and use the post/timber combo as a gate stop.
Reply to
Andrew

Anchor resin. Drill oversize, blow out dust with some tube, squirt in the resin and push in some threaded bar of appropriate size. Support while setting.

Reply to
Cynic

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Just to clear up one or two comments. Although my neighbour has just had the post installed (and paid for it) it's actually jointly owned. It's on the boundary line between our properties and replaces the first one which I put in 30+ years ago. The passage way is approx 6ft wide and I'm hanging a pair of gates so Andrews suggestion wouldn't work. Anyway, after consideration of your comments and much searching of t'internet I've decided to go with 8.5mm Masonry bolts. Mainly because they cut a screw thread in the concrete (and brick on t'other side) and don't rely on expansion of a plug for grip. This should help to prevent any breakout of the concrete which ISTR is very weak in tension but strong in compression.

Reply to
petek

Ok, but if your property is registered then the land registry will show (using 'T' marks) where the boundary line is and who has the right (but not the obligation) to erect a boundary fence or wall. This fence or wall normally does not straddle the boundary (unlike a party wall) but is wholly contained on the side of the boundary line of the owner.

If you and you neighbour are happy with the situation, that's fine, but remember, one day he might sell up and move and the next owner might be more 'difficult'.

Reply to
Andrew

Thanks for your comments Andrew, which raise an interesting point. Nothing to do with the size of screws and plugs but interesting none the less!

We moved into this house when the estate was built in 1979. At that time, the builders left the back garden and passage unfinished (i.e. just rough ground)and the "boundary" line was delineated by a simple row of 3ft high concrete posts linked by 2 or 3 rows of wire. Eventually, with the agreement of my then neighbours, I replaced these with a 6ft high fence using concrete posts, concrete base panels and larch lap panels. I can't remember who paid for it, we probably split it 50/50. I don't recall being too fussy about the exact line of the fence and indeed it could have been a few inches either side of a theoretical boundary line. It's not caused any problems with 4 subsequent sets of neighbours.

The current neighbour is having some external work done and in the course of things has replaced some of the concrete fence posts. One of these is the one I'm intending to use as one side of my gate. He didn't actually ask my permission nor did I expect him to, he just got on with it after telling me what he was going to do. He hasn't asked me to contribute to the cost.

So in these circumstances who owns the fence and where exactly is the theoretical boundary line. On his side of the fence or mine? The house deeds are held by my building society so I haven't got easy access but I doubt if the scale of any plans would be such that the line could be determined within a few inches either way.

You sound as if you know more about these things than me so I'd be interested in your comments.

Cheers Pete

Reply to
petek

I suppose whoever paid for the post is ultimately it?s owner whichever side of the boundary it is on. It?s like someone kicking a football into your garden you cannot claim it and it remains the property of whoever bought it, your not obliged to throw it back or do anything with it or even allow a person on your property to claim it.

I would have a word with your neighbour and explain the situation as you have here he seems reasonable having already replaced the post for you. What you do not want is a boundary dispute they do not end well for either party with only the lawyers making money out of it. A couple of inches here or there especially where it does not really matter is not worth getting worked up about.

Drilling through the post and using nuts & bolts is by far the best option, aim for the centre the rebar tends to be more in the corners.

Richard

Reply to
Tricky Dicky

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