How to stabilise fence anchored to brick pier?

[rraus]

Hi, have a query about the stability of a 2m high timber fence. The post is not installed in the ground instead it was anchored using screws to a 75 cm high brick pier which is already leaning and appears unstable. Will this fence hold if the brick pier leans further and eventually collapses. The old fence post was firmly in the ground a little further away from the brick pier. Is installing in the ground the standard practice.

[JacobZ]

Hi @rraus,

Without seeing it myself, it sounds like the post being installed in this way could be compromising both the brick pier and the fence.

This is certainly not the standard method of installation for a fence post, and it sounds like you should seriously consider removing it and installing a new post that is concreted into the ground, which is the standard practice.

If you'd like to see how this is done, check out How to Set a Post.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

Hi @rraus,

Please post some pictures.

Cheers

[rraus]

Thanks Jacob and @AlanM52 In the image three holes are seen on the wooden post where the screws have been anchored to the brick pier.

[JacobZ]

Hi @rraus,

Yeah, that certainly doesn't look ideal.

Any lateral loads applied to the fence from impacts or wind will be relying on three small bolts into an already leaning brick pier.

As the fence appears to be incomplete, I would suggest it is disconnected from the pier and concreted in as all other posts should be.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

Hi @rraus,

@JacobZ RE: Yeah, that certainly doesn't look ideal.

Looking at that all the angles scrambled my brain.

That 'fence post' is more like a structural beam.

I thought that brick pier was a mailbox.

Sorry to ask again and I think it's important... more photos from further back and from the other end of the fence line.

Cheers

[rraus]

Thanks @AlanM52 and @JacobZ

I will upload some more later.

[EricL]

Hi @rraus 

Having read your description of the fence post, I suggest either digging into the ground and installing it with a concrete footing or rebuilding the brick pier and anchoring onto it once it is properly reconstructed. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric