Built a fence about 1.5 years ago as shown in the picture, previously there was a low fence (visible on the right in the picture), so the posts have been buried for a long time, guessing they are 500 deep.
There has been a strong storm/wind here before, but I believe the combination of very wet ground plus the storm has caused two of the posts to become loose.
I now want help on the best and neatest way to reinforce the posts that are circled, the others are still firm, but it might just be a matter of time. I'm not so worried about the two closest to the edges as I have a brace on the right and a short plank on the left.
I would prefer not to have any braces standing into the yard, is the only option to dig out and pour more concrete? Other neat solutions?
you can drive something into the ground that provides a deeper anchor. If you have clay soil, it should be fine to hammer down a 50*3mm iron pipe a little over a meter into the ground.
Do they lean outward or inward? That is, does the wind catch the plank from the inside or the outside?
I guess the wind has caught on both sides, you can wiggle these two pillars a couple of cm in either direction, but it has started to give way and lean outward (though very slightly), I'll buy some tension straps and fasten the middle post to the porch tonight so we can sleep peacefully over Christmas at least
Good emergency plan! Considering how the wind blew last night, anything can happen if it starts to give way... Another emergency option (until you can fix a better solution) is to remove some planks, so the wind load reduces. Not fun, but better than having the whole fence blow away.
I would guess that the best long-term solution is to replace the posts with 70 or cast your own deeper concrete foundations. I doubt that 50 cm is enough for that type of fence down here, unless the fence is sheltered of course... When we put up a fence in a windy spot a few years ago, we used 70 posts AND anchored it to the wall, and set bracing beams that stood for 3 years...
you can drive something into the ground that provides a deeper anchor. If you have clay soil, it should certainly work to hammer down a 50*3mm steel pipe about a meter deep into the ground.
If I may guess, I assume it means you can drive a pipe down next to your foundation blocks and attach them in two places so that your foundations, in terms of load-bearing, effectively become longer. (Unfortunately, it doesn't work to just attach the pipe at the top of the foundation since it can still wobble quite a bit.)
I've had the same problem as you with a lamp post. That is, it stood well for many years, but after an extremely wet autumn, the ground became so saturated that it lost all its bearing capacity, and the pole leaned away. Then it "stuck" in the leaning position when the moisture disappeared... (You can't be lazy as a homeowner... ). But in Gothenburg, you just have to wait for the next wet autumn, and then I could realign it and brace it with some stone fill in the hole tamped down on the problematic side. But that doesn't mean it would suffice on a wind-loaded fence. That probably requires other measures.
Good emergency plan! Considering how it was blowing last night, anything could happen if it starts giving in... Another emergency option (until you manage to fix a better solution) is to remove some planks, to reduce wind resistance. Not fun, but better than having the whole fence blow away.
I would guess that the best long-term solution is to replace the posts with 70 or cast your own deeper concrete foundations. I doubt that 50 cm is enough for that type of fence down here, unless the fence is sheltered of course... When we put up a fence in a windy area a few years ago, we used 70 posts, AND anchored it to the wall, and put cross braces that stood for 3 years...
Replacing the posts becomes a bit tricky since they are out towards the sidewalk, so casting new ones around them is probably the best option then, but otherwise, it might be solved with digging.
I am also considering building something like below on the property, covering with reinforcing mesh and letting some climbing plant climb, it could become a nice wind and shade shelter on windy summer days.
If I may guess, I assume it means you can drive a pipe next to your plinths and secure them at two points so that your plinths, in terms of load, effectively become longer. (Unfortunately, it doesn't work to just attach the pipe at the top of the plinth because it can still wobble quite a bit.)
Like this?
Yes, but it should work.
My hope is also that you can straighten the plank now and then it settles again in the spring when the ground dries.
Bought two sturdy straps and two storm screws (46 cm) and tightened the posts so they're upright again and won't risk falling outward, then I placed two supports on the inside so they won't fall inward! Turned out super stable, so now it can blow as much as it wants! A simple and cheap solution that's easy to set up in the fall when storms and rain come and easy to take down in the spring! Doesn't look very nice, but you're hardly in the garden this time of year anyway!
