How to add privacy to asbestos fence?

[NewbieQ]

My neighbours don’t want to replace our asbestos dividing fence, but I need to add height for privacy.  Their lot is higher than mine so they can easily see into my yard and windows without even trying. I’m looking for ideas and advice on the best way to create privacy without replacing or disturbing the old asbestos fence if it’s even possible. (I don’t want to use hedges.)

One part is brick that matches their house

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @NewbieQ. It's brilliant to have you join us and many thanks for your question on extending a fence.

The main challenge is that you can’t safely attach anything directly to an asbestos fence. While the posts themselves might seem like an option, any work around asbestos should be done with extreme caution, ideally by a professional familiar with it.

A safer approach is to leave the fence untouched and instead install a light timber framework just in front of it. This can be fixed into small concrete footings or even drive-in stakes, giving you a structure to attach decorative screens, lattice, or natural screening to for extra height and privacy.

Where your fence transitions to brickwork, you’ll have more flexibility – you can mount decorative panels directly onto the brick section without concern. But for the asbestos part, it’s best not to disturb it at all and, if needed, get a professional involved.

Let me tag @Dave-1 for his thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Nakita97]

Something like one of these options might  work 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @NewbieQ 

Strangely or by fluke I am doing the same type of thing atm

I have a fence that is already high on the neighbours side but the soil my side is higher. So if I stand up in my future spa my head will pretty much be in line with their front door/patio area. I have a tight space to work with and also I want another 600mm height to the fence. The fence is ?? but high.

My solution is to build a high fence only. So tall fence posts with slats only acros sthe top 600mm part of the fence.

I have installed most of my footings bar one last one that I have had to concrete in as I hit stone on the way down with the screw.

The new line of stirrups for the fence posts.

The one that I hit rock with the 690mm earth screw so it spun like a screw with stripped thread 😕 Solution to undo it and dig out a footing for concrete The stone was around the 500mm deep mark. 😕 

They look a little out but they are straighter in real life. (Well mostly )

The Earth screw I was using to get around trying to dig footings

The original plan I had, new plan is the same but only timber the top 600mm

The tools I used to drive the earthg screw in. When it was high I could use the pry bar only, but once it was screwed down then I used the short post with a G clamp on the top so I could use the pry bar to turn it. And believe me it was hard to turn. I also drilled a 300mm  masonary drill bit down first to see if there was stone in the way. Note to self it really needs to be 700mm long lol

I liked this solution as I dont have several concreted footings. Will see how it stands up with wind down the track.

Dave

[Tony12]

NewbieQ

You may have already progressed your work but something for your consideration for asbestos cement (AC) fencing:

That fence is at least 40+ years old and has been sitting in the weather all that time. The capping is visibly degrading with some damage visible. One of the vertical Shadowline panels is damaged.  Where damage and degradation of the AC is occurring, the bonded matrix of the product is weakening, allowing for water ingress. This gradually increases with temperature fluctuations throughout the seasons and if you have any organic growth on the surface, the small root systems also penetrate the small air pockets in the matrix. 

The degradation of the AC allows the exposure of asbestos fibre bundles and the release of individual microscopic (respirable) fibres into the immediate environment along the fenceline, particularly when it rains. It will likely be a very small amount released gradually, but it will be happening.

Asbestos removal can be an expensive process and as such to many homeowners it is cost inhibitive. Leaving the fence in-situ, however, is 'kicking the can down the road' as the structural integrity of that fence will continue to decline. Should you experience a serious weather event which seriously damages that fence with dust/debris spread about yours and the adjoining properties, the required professional removal and cleanup will be much more expensive than having it removed in its current state. 

Some AC fences were also installed with part of the vertical panel below ground surface, which may have damage not visible. 

As Mitchell suggests, please consider having a licensed asbestos professional inspect the fence. They can provide you with an assessment as to the current state of risk for that fence and advice as to removal. 

Please take a look at the available guidance: Asbestos in the home | Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, including the Asbestos Product Guide: Fences - Asbestos Product Guide.       

[AlanM52]

CC: @NewbieQ,

The neighbours don't want to replace the fence and with regard to @Tony12's comments I would spray paint the fence.

Ask here how to DIY (primer, top coat, spray gun type, full PPE etc.) or engage a painter/handyman that can show they have experience with AC fencing.

As for the fence extension and with wind loading in mind I suggest you compromise and settle for a light weight fence extension that allows for smaller posts and use auger bit for the post holes. Basically you want get in there, do the job with minimum physical activity to reduce the chances of fence contact... and get out.

Cheers