Plugs for fence posts: we understand the intricacies

Photo plugs for the fence post

Before installing any fence around the perimeter of the site you need to dig poles. They are used for the construction of fencing of the grid, wooden picket fence, metal fencing and other types of fencing.

The advantage of metal supports in comparison with wooden ones is obvious - their service life is much longer. A tree under the influence of precipitation and temperature drops quickly begins to collapse.

Why do we need plugs and covers for fences

In order to support the fence served longer, you must close the open ends of the metal profiles.

Here are just a few of the advantages that plugs provide for fence posts:

• They protect pipes from corrosion. If you do not install the caps, then debris and water will enter the open hole;
• In addition, the cork ends of the tubes look more aesthetic. The result is that they perform two functions at once: protective and decorative;
• Some types of caps may have sharp tips. which can be a protection against unauthorized access to the site.

Plastic cap on the pillar

Not only the supports of corrugated flooring, wood and metal, but also fencing of stone, brick and concrete need protection. Especially obvious is their protective role in the fall or spring, when the snow first melts and the resulting water freezes again. The liquid quickly penetrates the pores of concrete blocks or bricks, where it freezes when it freezes. As a result, cracks are formed, which increase with time.

Types of caps

Covers can be assigned to different categories, distinguishing them in shape, material and method of manufacture.

The shape of the caps are:

• Round;
• Rectangular;
• Square.

Their size coincides with the size of the cross section of the column. Of the square caps, the largest demand is size 60 by 60 mm.

The photo is a hex-shaped blind

According to the method of manufacturing the covers are divided into:

• Stamped;
• Forged.

Stamped caps are cheaper than other types. For their manufacture uses galvanized steel. They have uniform sizes and shapes.

Forged pipe end caps are usually custom-made. They differ in various decorative elements, for example, curls, various figures.

By type of materials they are:

• Metallic;
• Plastic;
• Concrete.

Plastic plugs are most often used to close openings in steel pipes, while metal and concrete caps for fence posts are used to protect supports made of stone, concrete or brick.

Installing the plugs

Homemade plugs

Due to the fact that they are made of various scrap materials, their price is usually low.

Here are some examples:

• Cork from plastic bottles. The source material is absolutely free and in large quantities. As a temporary option, until permanent corks are installed, plastic bottles are fine. This plug fits to the original pipe size using a blowtorch;
• Plugs from polyurethane foam. First, the hole is clogged with paper so that the foam does not fall through, then it opens in the right place, and when the foam dries, all the excess is cut off, giving the appearance of cork. Obtained cork smear germobutil or any other mastic. Foam can be used as temporary plugs for the fence posts, then to change them over time with permanent ones;

Note! Over time, the hygroscopicity of the foam increases, so care should be taken to waterproof it.

• Sheet metal plugs. They are cut into rectangles of the desired size, bent in the shape of the letter "P". These pieces cover the upper edge of the support. You can fix them with screws, or, better, by welding. Instead of conventional welding, you can use special tools "cold welding", sold in tubes;
• Covers of wood. Wooden bars grind in the form of a mushroom. The stem of such a “mushroom is equal in diameter to the diameter of the pipe, and the“ cap ”has a larger size. Such mushrooms are driven into the pipe, and the caps are painted in the desired color;
• Concrete covers (caps) on the fence posts. In this case, the pipes are filled to the very top with the most common sand. Then a cork is made from the cement-sand mortar (1: 2).

How to independently make one of these stubs, you can look at the video (read also the article "Installing fences in the suburban areas: practical ideas").

Ready covers for fences

• Plastic plugs. They are available for round, square, rectangular and even oval pipes. Their diameter is different, so it is suitable for supports of different sections. By design, they look like bottle caps, so they are worn in the same way;

Tip! If necessary, you can use a hammer, slightly tapping them on the blind. This type of dummy is usually accompanied by simple instructions for their use.

Plastic plugs for the fence

• Steel caps. Their price is already much higher. But such caps are more durable and more practical. Like plastic covers, they have different diameters and shapes. Metal stubs serve in the time as much as the professional flooring itself;

Types of steel caps

• Caps for concrete and brick fences. Here galvanized steel covers are usually used. Their forms may be different. The installation of such caps is carried out after laying the columns. The shape of the plugs is usually square, but very often rectangular are also used.

Flush Mounts for Concrete Fences

When installing the concrete covers used cement-sand mortar, metal plugs are installed using dowels.

The most popular types of covers

The service life of concrete covers depends on the quality of the solution. The best of them can serve about 15 years and above. Even homemade do-it-yourself blindtops can serve for several years with proper manufacturing.

Important! If you want the fence plugs to be colored, then it is better to buy those that were dyed using mineral pigment. Such caps do not lose their color even after long use.

Conclusion

To ensure the long service life of the fence, it must be protected from adverse environmental factors. Plugs and caps on the fence posts, first of all, are designed specifically for this purpose.