insideKENT Magazine Issue 23 - February 2014 | Page 159

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Jacksons Fencing N E W S , T O P I C A L T R E A T S A N D M O R E . . . Jacksons Venetian panels are semi-solid, so offer less wind resistance and have an attractive modern look Not much of this fence is left standing after the gales Why has my fence blown down? Regular readers of my monthly pages will no doubt have realised that I often mention the weather, so I’m sorry to be harking on about it again, but it has been exceptional. Even before the Christmas break there were disruptions caused by floods and gales, and throughout January the country has continued to be battered and soaked. My heart goes out to those of you who suffered flooding and damage to your properties, especially those who after mopping up and trying to get back to some semblance of normality were hit by another onslaught of evil weather, causing even more damage. Some of you may well have woken up to find that your fencing had blown down, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider some of the gales were estimated as being upwards of 80 mph. It was a scene of garden devastation in the area of Kent where I live. We helped a few neighbours out by moving panels that had not stood up to the battering of the wind, and in some instances fencing that ended up as just fragments of brittle wood. Well if this has happened to you, you may well ask why has my fence blown down and someone else’s in the next garden remains intact? Here are a few points to bear in mind when thinking of a replacement fence: Rotten posts – A common reason for a fence falling is due to rotten posts. Untreated timber will rot very quickly when it is in contact with the ground and will therefore no longer be able to stabilise the line of fencing. All Jacksons fencing posts undergo the unique Jakcure timber treatment process, which offers a 25-year guarantee against rotting and wood boring pests. Jakcure pressure treatment drives preservative deep into the carefully selected timber (not all species of tree represent a timber conducive to effective treatment), which results in solid and strong posts that last for many years. Proper foundations – No matter how good your posts are, they won’t stay up unless you have them dug in to the correct depth, and with plenty of concrete to secure them in the holes. Always ensure that the post holes have straight sides. For a 1.8m fence (6ft) fence each post requires 60kg of concrete to provide a secure base. Posts should be set in the ground at a minimum of 600 mm (2ft) – and deeper for higher fences. Win a Jacksons garden gate set! Fit for purpose design – Look for solidity in the fence panel – does it look strong and feel heavy? If it feels flimsy and lightweight, then that’s what it is! In areas that suffer excessive winds, like coastal situations, it may be best to consider a semi-solid panel that offers less wind resistance, allowing air to pass through it, rather than hit it full on. Fixings that last – These are as important as all the other points mentioned here. There is no point in buying a well-built panel and following the rules on post strength and correct installation if you skimp on cheap fixings, go for non-rusting, heavily galvanized fixings to hold everything firmly in place. Avoid the cowboys! – A final point to remember, a fence is only as good as its installation. Please check your installer is reputable and if they are, they will be able to supply references of good work they’ve carried out previously, or ask friends to recommend decent installers. These points are all covered in more detail if you go to your local page, as is our special offer to help out people who need to replace their fence. Jacksons are offering free delivery on all garden fencing and gates throughout February – full details at: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal [email protected] 159 Enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win one of our garden gate sets. We have 15 different styles and various sizes – the gate sets come complete with posts and everything you need to hang the gate. They make having a new gate beautifully simple and straightforward, and they are all guaranteed for 25 years too! Simply log on to your local page and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 28.2.14. To enter go to: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal