Hi, I’m new here and not sure where to post this question. I like the looks of the privacy fence in the May #250 issue. It’s timely as I was just asked to build one. My concern is that both debris and water will be trapped between the vertical boards and the bottom rail. Am I worrying about something I shouldn’t? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
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Reading that article I had the same concern at the bottom rail. While not as bad, the other two horizontal rails are not detailed to drain or don't have flashing either. I wouldn't recommend copying this design due to these poor details.
The ironic part of the article is that the author illustrates that he slopes the top of the post footings. However, he ignores the fact that the wood will shrink and swell around the concrete casing. Due to surface tension of water shedding down the post, the slope here is of marginal value*. IMO, it would be better to apply sloped drainage principles to the larger horizontal wooden fence details. Those will show signs of poor weathering long before the posts will.
* For this to work better, it would've been wise to incorporate a backer rod/caulk joint at the top of the post/concrete interface. At least this would have sealed off the surface tension path of water drainage and forced it down the concrete slope. Chances are rain water will work it way easing down between the post and concrete (particularly after a drying cycle) thereby negating most of the benefit of the tooled concrete slope.
thanks
Thanks for your input. I wasn't crazy about the use of pocket screws at the bottom rail either. Another invitation for water to get in and sit.
Where water sits wood will rot. Pressure treated or not. It will rot. Certain climates can accelerate it.
alternative
Here's some photos of a privacy fence we did a number of years ago that is P.T. and cedar. The horizontals are flashed with copper.