Replies

1. 
   deadnuts | Apr 20, 2015 10:57pm | #1

   Reading that article I had the same concern at the bottom rail.  While not as bad, the other two horizontal rails are not detailed to drain or don't have flashing either. I wouldn't recommend copying this design due to these poor details.

   The ironic part of the article is that the author illustrates that he slopes the top of the post footings. However, he ignores the fact that the wood will shrink and swell around the concrete casing. Due to surface tension of water shedding down the post, the slope here is of marginal value*.  IMO, it would be better to apply sloped drainage principles to the larger horizontal wooden fence details. Those will show signs of poor weathering long before the posts will.

   * For this to work better, it would've been wise to incorporate a backer rod/caulk joint at the top of the post/concrete interface. At least this would have sealed off the surface tension path of water drainage and forced it down the concrete slope. Chances are rain water will work it way easing down between the post and concrete (particularly after a drying cycle) thereby negating most of the benefit of the tooled concrete slope.

1. 
   anamenottaken | Apr 21, 2015 08:31am | #2

   thanks

   Thanks for your input. I wasn't crazy about the use of pocket screws at the bottom rail either. Another invitation for water to get in and sit.

2. 
   thekidd | Apr 21, 2015 12:10pm | #3

   Where water sits wood will rot.  Pressure treated or not.  It will rot.  Certain climates can accelerate it.

3. 
   deadnuts | Apr 21, 2015 07:59pm | #4

   alternative

   Here's some photos of a privacy fence we did a number of years ago that is P.T. and cedar. The horizontals are flashed with copper.