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Brigitte’s fence is falling down! This isn’t a new nursery rhyme but a simple statement of fact: the backyard fence falls over after Torchy the dog uses it to make a break from the house. Maybe he wanted to get out of the way of Brigitte’s latest project. Or maybe he was trying to get away from Brigitte’s singing. Whatever the reason, he’s soon to be fenced in as Brigitte begins to create the Tuscan-style wall of her dreams.
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DO get a copy of your lot survey. You need to make sure all of your lot lines are accurate. You don’t want to start building on your neighbor’s property.
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DO inform your neighbors about your decision to build a fence. Make sure they agree with your choice of fencing since it will be in their yard, too.
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DO call your utility providers before you start digging. CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
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DON’T forget to make arrangements for removal of the old fencing, tree branches, and other junk that comes out of this project.
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DO psych yourself up for this project. It may be a lot of work, but it’s totally do-able, and totally worth it!!! Go forth and build that wall!
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Chop, Chop, Chop
Because the backyard needed to be cleared of shrubbery and branches from a mighty maple tree, Brigitte contacted a professional tree cutter to do the job and let more light into the yard. The nice tree cutter did the hard work while Brigitte watched… er… supervised. After all this type of work is best left to the professionals.
For the remainder of the greenery removal process, Brigitte cut, dug, pushed, and pulled her way to a fence-free, shrub-free yard. Choose your sword; the fencing must begin!!
- Once the space is cleared, stake out the fence. Hammer in stakes were you want the fence posts to be. A string line between the stakes will keep things aligned as you dig the holes.
- Using a post hole digger (which is a really big auger), drill the holes for the posts. (remember if you haven't yet, call before you dig!!)
- Set the posts in the holes. Pour a little quick dry cement into the post hole. Place the post in the hole and level it. Add more quick dry cement into the hole.
- Add water to the hole and mix the cement in the hole by “poking” at it. Add more cement and water in another layer. (Keep the land survey pins visible, if you can.) While the cement is still wet, make sure the posts are level.
- Let the posts set in the cement .
- Relax, because it'll be a while before you can continue.
Don't Fence Me In
Anthony cut the now secure fence posts down to the height Brigitte wants for her wall.
- Using a sliding compound mitre saw, Brigitte begins cutting the pieces of wood for the fence frame.
- Using an air nail gun, she nail the pieces of the frame together and then nails them to the posts.
- Add the fence boards to the frame on the side facing out.
- Measure along the sides of the fence for the correct size of plywood you need. Cut the plywood so that it can be nailed to the 4 x 4 posts.
- Attach the plywood to the fence frame with your air nail gun.
- Staple construction paper to the plywood. This will protect the plywood from moisture. Tape all the seams.
- Roll out the wire mesh and tack it to the paper. The wire mesh will hold the concrete mortar on the wall.
- Attach a drip edge to the bottom of the wall before you attach the wire mesh in that area. This will give water a place to go when it drips down the wall. Once that is in place, you can attach the wire mesh.
- Mix the cement. Start by adding acrylic bond to the water. This will help the parging stick together. Add powdered dye to the parging powder to get the colour effect that you want. Then add the water mixture. You’ll need a cement mixer for this if you are making a lot to cover a large area.
- Scoop a blob of cement onto a hawk (which is like a painter’s palette). Using the back of your trowel, push it off the hawk and onto the wall. Be sure to cover the mesh as you smooth it over the wall.
- Cap off the top of the wall by smoothing on the cement with a trowel.
- Once the wall is done, keep it moist for 72 hours to allow the cement to cure. Hosing the wall down is a good way to keep it moist.
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