rotted fence posts and the cure

Proper techniques are essential to ensure long life of fence posts

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rotted fence posts and the cure

improper post setting method leads to rot.

The fence post pictured is only 7 years old, this fence had many years of life left except for the breaking posts. Even pressure treated posts can be vulnerable to decay if not installed properly. Excluding the direct contact of soil to the post is an important part of a good installation. Decay is not the only enemy, when water is allowed to pool right where the post meets the concrete, caustic chemicals in the concrete are able to weaken the post.

I always make sure to create a small pyramid of concrete around the base of the post to route water away from it. this moves the exposed post a couple of inches above the grade of the surrounding soil as well. Most posts are 4×4 in size but, MBA Deck and Fence uses a special 5×5 post which is extra strong and resists warping too.

An example of proper deck flashing and water sealing.

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How to properly attach a deck to the home.

plastic or Vinyl deck flashing

proper flashing technique for attaching a deck to the home.

Here we see vinyl deck flashing with a short return down the face of the ledger joist (the first board attached to the home), the siding was cut and removed and the ledger attached directly to the house framing and sheathing. adhesive flashing was also placed behind the ledger and extends down and just over the next siding board so that any possible moisture penetration is routed outside the siding again. The vinyl flashing extends up under the door and the siding adjacent to it. You can also see how a small notch was cut into the outside joist so that the 3/8″ return on the vinyl flashing can extend down through it so no water can travel across the top of the joist.

It is important that the flashing either be vinyl, stainless steel or that Vycor deck protector either covers the pressure treated wood or is used in place of traditional flashing. Standard painted or galvanized flashing will rust away in short order.