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How to re-install Colorbond double gate post?

JulieGia

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some advice in regards to the gate post of our colorbond fence. It was installed by a landscaping company however we've had issues getting them to come back and rectify. Any advice for us to DYI is appreciate. The main issue is that the gate post screws they used came through the outside wall to the interior. They said shorter screws couldnt be used, they werent securing to anything.

The gate post was installed prior to the concrete pathway that was done overtop a few months later. My question is if we can remove the screws, so theyre not coming through our front bedroom wall, can we secure the gate post to the concrete with brackets or similar and not worry about securing it to the wall (as we've been told the screws will be visible inside).

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JacobZ

Hi @JulieGia,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Are you aware of what your house's exterior walls are comprised of? It looks like it could be Hebel over either timber or steel framing? Any ideas?

If you just gently shake the post, is there noticeable movement in the post?

Realistically, as a post needs to be able to support the lateral forces applied by the gate, for this to be an acceptable installation, the screws would need to go into a structural framing member in the wall or utilise a different anchoring method altogether. It seems likely that these screws have been driven straight through what I assume is hebel, out the other side of the wall, without hitting any framing in between.

If you can't have the landscaping company return to rectify their problem, then the only method I can think of that would be acceptable is to cut out a section of the concrete and install a new post that is either set in wet concrete or has a base plate so it can be bolted to the concrete.

Allow me to tag some knowledgeable members for their thoughts - @Nailbag, @R4addZ, @Dave-1, @Noyade.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

JulieGia

Hi Jacob,

Thanks for the quick response. You're correct, its Hebel, over a steel frame. Even with a fair bit of pressure shaking the post it doesnt move.

Thank you for the advice, I'll have a think about which option would be our best bet.

EricL

Hello @JulieGia

To help you out, here is a link to the Hebel Fixing guide brochure - Fixing-to-Hebel-Guide. It will give you a general idea of what fixings to use to anchor items onto Hebel walls.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @JulieGia

I would actually suggest to remove both gates and re-install them about a foot away with two new posts. The one on the fence side looks like its been screwed to the fence post and that will definitely cause issues within a short amount of time. (They are built for static loads, not dynamic ones with a gate hanging off it) The post against the house you could install a new one that is solidly bolted to the concrete path. I would remove the old one and patch the holes.

By installing the new posts you are shortening your distance between the fence and house so your gates (or one gate at least ) will need to be shortened a little.

Dave

R4addZ

Hi @JulieGia

Unfortunately, it is not recommended to fix gateposts to Hebel panels and I would suggest the company that installed it should have known this. I would suggest you ask them to come back to rectify the issue. If they decline get a quote from another company to rectify the install properly, send the original installer a letter (yes old fasioned snail mail) by registered mail giving them 2 weeks to resolve the issue or you will take the matter to the small claims court. This will usually get a response but if they don't, go to the small claims court and issue a summons, I did this once and it only cost me $50 (they will tell you the correct way and it is quite cheap to do, the cost is also added to the amount you are claiming. Neither party are allowed to use lawyers so it doesn't cost to proceed and a magistrate will decide the outcome (with screws sticking through into your bedroom I would expect you to win). If they don't pay after a descision in your favour then you can also pay to have bailifs sent in to recover the money including what they charge. One word of advice, if you start down this track, do not settle out of court because if you stop proceedings and they then back out of the deal, you can't restart the case, they have to settle through the court.

JulieGia

Thank you everyone for your advice. Its pretty clear I'll need to redo the post. I appreciate it! Thank you @EricL for the link to the fixing to hebel guide. We've had issues trying to secure a hose link to the side of the house and this is especially helpful. You guys are a great community!

Nailbag

Hi @JulieGia

I have had to install quite a few return fence and gates similar to yours which met to either foam board or herbal under render. As with @R4addZ comment, the installers should have known this. Thinking they could drive what must be the longest screw available to compensate the soft wall material is quite staggering.

The only way around this is to secure an independent post either into the ground or in your case a suitable post stirrup. This may still be achieved by having the fence shortened in width slightly to accommodate a new thicker still post. However the issue is if this type of post fixture may not support the weight of the gate. In which case the concrete (only 100mm thick) would need to be cut 300mm+ around the existing post and removed. A hole dug for a new thicker independent steel post inserted and the hole filled with concrete.

Again as others have mentioned, this is up to the installers to rectify so that further action is not required. Give them the opportunity to resolve without the threat of this as obviously its not a pleasant path to have to go down.

Nailbag