I am having a dispute for the last 20 years with a neighbor who is now at the point of shouting out insults when we are ignoring him. I believe I can resolve the situation if I erect a fence. My neighbor's driveway runs along the side of the proposed fence line and I have already researched the rules and regulations regarding fence height, width, etc. Now, I'm putting the fence on my side of the yard but my neighbor is trying to prevent this and he has chosen to keep his car right on the property line but to his side. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how I would get his car away so we could pull an auger beside and no damage will be done. And yes, we have tried asking nicely. If you had to build a fence what would you do?
Sincerely, Carolina Moore carolina.moore@rogers.com
Answer:
The length of the car is no more than two fence posts distance and two holes can be punched with a manual post hole puncher. This is basically two spoons (one for cutting the soil and the other to lift out the debris once you've got enough to justify lifting) hinged just about a foot or so from the bottom. It has two long handles that look like straight shovel handles and is easy to operate. You can also get to within an inch or so of any obstruction (house, garage, car, etc.). I'd probably stand a sheet of 4X8 plywood between the hole and the car so there would be no chance of accidental scrapes or dents. You can make the holes as wide as you like and then protect them against rot. To protect the wooden fence posts from rotting at grade level, take a 2-foot length of copper pipe and drill a series of 1/8” holes in a straight line along its full length. Now cap one end and with large staples, fasten it to the wooden fence post in such a way as to have the holes facing wood and keep only two inches of the open end above grade level on the sides (not the back nor front) of the post. Once you're done, you can put the post(s) in place and pour pre-mized concrete around it. You don't even have to mix the concrete if you get the right stuff because adding water will do the job for you. Every spring and fall (quarterly if the post is larger than a 4X4), fill these pipes with a good liquid wood preservative and just let it soak in.
In the interests of retaining credibility and in fairness to all, I cannot recommend prices, people nor companies for various projects. Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus – The Radio Show is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com.
Remember, even if you don’t do your own work around the house have to hire someone, you put yourself at a great advantage when you can intelligently discuss a project with the various trades people.
"Ren’s Ren-O-Vations Tips" is a monthly journal that talks everything to do with HOME OWNERSHIP & MAINTANENCE.
It is sent out in time to have it in your mailbox or on your computer by the 20th of the month – every month.
To order, simply send a cheque or money order to: Ren, P.O. Box 9411, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 3V1
E-mail – 12 issues (1 yr.) $17.95. Regular mail – 12 issues (1 yr.) $33.95. (subject to change without notice) Credit card companies take a cut from payments so we are not credit card friendly - can't justify it. Ren’s Ren-O-Vations Tips makes the perfect gift any time for almost everyone: Be My Valentine, Easter, Christmas, Mothers’ Day, Fathers' Day, Birthday, Wedding, Congratulations New Home Owner(s), Thinking Of you, Good neighbour Ren
