Build strong and secure fence

What you need to know:

  • For some people, the purpose of constructing a perimeter fence is not only to provide security but also for privacy.

A walk around Edward Nsubuga’s rentals’ fence in Sonde, Wakiso District, the thickness of layers in the different stages of the way the fence was built will catch your attention.
The fence was built with a thick wall using hard core black stones to about two feet. After this stage, he used bricks to raise it further to a height of approximately six feet up to the final level where he introduced sharp pointed metal railings being supported and held by pillars.
“When I was building my rental units, I realised the place absorbed a lot of water. Whenever it rained heavily, water would stagnate because there were no drainage channels and the water would find its way up the house walls. At some point I had to breakdown everything and build afresh using durable and better materials. For the fence, I realised I first had to raise its foundation to some level with stones because they are water resistant,” Nsubuga explains.

Fix water draining pipes
Like roof gutters that play an important role of directing water flow, water pipes too, when fixed at the lower part of the wall, Amon Atuhaire, an independent builder in Munyonyo, says help protect the fence from being carried or washed away or weakened by water that could stagnate at the fence foundation.
“In most cases, to cover up the foundation of your fence, most builders use soil. During rainy seasons, the soil soaks water that keeps around the fence wall. When it cannot be contained anymore by the soil, it will slowly find its way into the bricks. You can only get rid of it by building drainage pipes that go through the fence wall,” Atuhaire explains, advising that if the area has a high water retention capacity, you may have to consider fixing double drainage pipes one meter away from each pair and building small water trenches that transport water away from the fence.

Use damp proof course (DPC)
Like it is with most, if not all house foundations, fences too, need to be protected from water damage effect using a damp proof course. Atuhaire explains that a damp proof course is a thick bodied polythene bag of any colour that is laid or separates the foundation from the main fence or house body. It is usually laid after two or three brick layers, to prevent capillary action or upward movement of water or moisture to protect the wall.
“You should not be too economical and use common polythene bags from retail shops because they are cheap. In the long run, you will end up spending more on reconstructing your fence if it collapses yet you could have avoided double costs if you had bought a better quality course,” Atuhaire advises.

Create spaces or joints
While there is a category of people who like short fences, there are equally those who prefer those that are tall and long. These are mainly used by people who like maximum privacy when in their homes.
Joseph Oryang, an engineer with Century Investors Limited, says if you choose to construct a long and tall fence, it is advisable to create spaces, those where a mathematical set ruler or eating folk, when straightened, can go through.
“Without creating spaces in your long and tall fence, it is bound to develop cracks and fall. These cracks should not begin from the middle of the fence. They should be created right from foundation level up to where the fence stops to realise maximum fence protection. It does not matter what kind of bricks your builders are using. Whether they are made from clay or soil or the cement blocks, they can all serve the same purpose as long as they are aligned well,” Oryang explains.

Use clay bricks
As opposed to using soil bricks, Oryang recommends usage of clay baked or made bricks when constructing your fence foundation. This is because they have a high capacity to withstand the water effect or high retention levels compared to those that are baked out of soil or the cemented blocks that easily absorb water, which affects the fence.

Type of finishing to use
While there are builders that use the plastering kind of method for fence finishing, Oryang says there are those that use rough cast method. Plastering finishing protects the bricks from being hit direct by rain which in the long term wears out the bricks.
Of late, some house owners have chosen to use slates of different colours like black and brown not only to create unique designs and exude nature but also to add beauty to their fences especially around fence pillars.

What to consider
Before getting underway with your project, consult with municipal officials to confirm that your planned fence doesn’t deviate from any specifications of relevant building codes or ordinances. Some localities enforce strict regulations, especially in planned housing. You can also make an assessment from the neighbours.