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Secure Utilities With A Concrete Fence
When it comes to protecting your utility site, a precast concrete fence system is the best choice. While there are...
As a premier concrete fence contractor, Hilltop Concrete is proud to provide full-turnkey services to all of our customers throughout the country. However, we also ship material only to a number of our customers nationwide. For those customers, we have often been asked how to install a concrete fence system. Those same customers are also pleased to find out how easy DIY installation can be. Below are the steps taken to install any of our precast concrete fence systems.
Before installation can begin, the project specifications must be determined and finalized. This includes determining the total linear feet needed, the height of the desired fence, the type of product to be used, and finalizing color choices. Rest assured that our team will be available to guide you through this critical step and get your order processed and shipped to your site. We are able to ship nationwide in order to serve all of our customers.
Next, the site must be prepped. Before any work is performed, you should always call the appropriate authorities to locate any potential underground utilities that may interfere with the fence line. Additionally, all trees and/or underbrush should be cleared from the fence line and the final grade should be established. The fence line should then be laid out and staked as a guideline. We recommend staking all ends, corners and every 100’ to ensure your fence flows how you imagined. Once these preliminary steps are completed you are ready to begin installation!
The most crucial component of a concrete fence is the footing. All footings are to be set at a maximum of 5’ on center for StackedStone, OldBrick, ChiselStone and WoodCast, or 8’ on center for RanchRail systems. Each hole should be drilled to an approximate depth of 54” for a standard 6’ high wall or 66” for a standard 8’ high wall with a diameter of 12” or 18” depending on whether it is an end post or line post. Each end post, the first and last three holes of the fence system, should be 18” diameter with a rebar cage inserted. Each line post should be 12” diameter and does not require a rebar cage. However, each project is different and the footing depth and diameter may need to be adjusted based upon the final height of the concrete fence or soil and site conditions.
Rest assured, our dedicated team will work with you every step of the way to make sure these specifications are determined and confirmed prior to the installation of your concrete fence. Once the footings are drilled, each post is to be accurately set in each hole and secured in place using a form clamp. Each post should be carefully set to grade to ensure the final height of the fence is correct. Each hole should then be filled with a 3,000 psi mix concrete and final post placement should be checked to ensure the posts have not shifted during the pour process. Before the concrete cures, a 1 ¼” outdoor grade PVC spacer should be embedded into the footing and filled with concrete.
Once the footings have cured the concrete fence panels can then be installed. The lower panel should be slid into place and should be supported by a concrete pier or outdoor PVC spacer that is embedded in the footing. The gap between the lower panel and the top base of material grade should be a minimum of 2” and a maximum of 4”. The PCV spacer will provide support for the bottom panel and allow for adequate spacing below the concrete fence for drainage. Once the lower panel is in place, each remaining concrete fence panel will slide into place. After the top panel is installed, the panel cap is secured on top and the section should be checked to ensure it is level. After verifying that the section is level, the panel cap should be secured in place using a polyurethane sealant, such as Vulkem. Repeat these installation steps for all remaining fence sections until the fence is fully constructed.
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