How long will this fence last? (how much, install, stain, dogs)

[ayoitzrimz]

Hi there,

Due to both of me and my neighbor having dogs our fence installer installed the cedar fence pickets low to the ground in a trench of sorts. Due to ground movement that trench filled up and my concern is the untreated / unstained cedar pickets being partially in the ground.

Just wondering what's the life expectancy of this fence and what can I do to ensure longevity. I was going to stain it but [INSERT EXCUSE HERE]. The fence was installed back in June btw and I live in Denver where it is mostly dry at 20-40% humidity.

[kab0906]

You can already see the water damage. The problem is that it'll act like a wick, sucking moisture up from the ground. Untreated, it'll rot fast.

[ayoitzrimz]

Thanks kab0906 - how fast do you think? a year? 5 years? Also what should I do to correct it?

[kab0906]

It'll need to be sealed, both sides and in between the pickets to stop water intrusion. That includes anything below ground level.

Unsealed it'll start bowing at ground level, leaving gaps. How fast it would rot depends on local conditions - how much moisture and insect activity.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Cedar is naturally insect resistant.
But consistent contact with moisture will shorten the life span. As previously stated, the actually life span is dependent on the amount of moisture.

Obviously, the BEST course of action is to install the individual boards ABOVE ground level. Since the install is already done your course of action now is to dig out under the fence- just a few inches- so there is no dire t contact with the ground.

[ayoitzrimz]

Appreciate the advice everyone. I'll dig out under the fence and stain / seal it over the weekend

[Ghengis]

I replaced (storm damage/insurance settlement) a cedar fence after 15 years and 95% of the posts were salvagable, showed little deterioration and were as straight as the day I put them in, they will be repurposed into planting beds. Other than the expected weathering, 95% of the pickets and 2 x 4 rails were also salvagable and will also find a myriad of useful purposes...such as marching around in a circle and smacking them together.



I did apply a water seal to the posts when installed, but never treated the above ground rails and pickets.

[Kayekaye]

The previous owner of my home, put some thin long metal sheets about 10" deep, in the ground to keep animals from digging under the fence. That way the boards of the fence don't have to be in contact with the ground.

[southernnaturelover]

You could try treating it with Bora-Care, but you'd need to do both sides.