Saw something that made me smile on a job in Springfield

Honestly, I was finishing up a cedar fence install over on Oakview Drive last Thursday. The homeowner was nice, but the real win was the neighbor. This older guy, maybe in his 70s, comes out and just watches for a bit. He finally walks over and says, 'You know, I put that fence up on my own property line back in '92.' He pointed out a section of his own fence, still standing solid after all that time. He used 6x6 posts set in concrete and galvanized brackets, the whole thing. It was just cool to see work that old holding up so well. We talked for about 15 minutes about how the ground shifts here and his trick for checking post level. Tbh, it's those little moments that remind me why I like this job. Anyone else ever have a random chat with a neighbor that gave you a new tip or just made the day better?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason_flores211mo ago

That part about the ground shifting reminded me of a buddy who had an old timer show him how to pack gravel for drainage around a post hole.

finleyl551mo ago

Oh man, that gravel trick is a lifesaver. My uncle did the same thing when we put up a fence at my old place. He made me pack almost a foot of crushed rock at the bottom of each hole before the concrete. Said it keeps the post from wicking up moisture and rotting out. That fence is still standing straight fifteen years later. Those old school methods just work.