Hi Guys,

I have fence where the posts are anchored onto a wall at the back of my house. The post are not anchored to the ground and only to the wall with two bolts. They are rotten and need to be replaced. I'm going to add cedar slats instead of the current slats, so will not be making a groove on the 4x4 either. See attached pictures from the back side and from my side.

Which anchors do you recommend? Are big tapcons good or go with a wedge type?






Also planning to use these brackets. Which anchors are good for these brackets to the wall?

 

Nothing anchors to a hollow cement block wall very well, especially something like a fence that has the strain and movement of wind on it. If I had to make a recommendation it would be a toggle type of anchor. Similar to this.

 

I'm a novice, but how do you know the block is hollow? I assume its been filled with cement when it was set up years ago?

 

Take a small hammer and lightly tap on it, that would tell you by the sound. Hard to describe the difference, though.

 

Sounds pretty solid. I tested it with a regular cinder that I know its hollow.

So if its solid, will a sleeve anchor work okay?

 

If it's solid, sleeve anchors or 3/8" tapcons. You will know as soon as you drill your hole with your hammer drill

 

Great! How long for the anchors? 3” for the bracket and 6” for the 4x4 if anchoring directly?

 

That will vary depending on if it's hollow or solid. If you use 3/8 tapcons you will need a high torque 1/2" impact to drive them. If it's solid you want anchors 2 3/4" longer than the material you are fastening.

 

is the post completely anchored on the wall and not even sitting on the ground? How far below is solid ground? Even if you do not dig a hole into the ground and anchor it, I would at least rest the new post on the ground, and even if you dig shallow 6" deep hole and pour in some concrete would help the post A LOT.

 

It is buried abut 4" in the ground right nw. Just covered up with some dirt. I think I will try to pour a little concrete in the ground in that area to help.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

If you pour a big enough footing you could anchor the bottom of the post to a post anchor. Like ABW44Z.