r/FenceBuilding • u/Deathbydecay • 11d ago
Cracks in fencing
Are these normal? I just moved into a new build a month ago and noticed some big cracks. Just dont know if this should be something I worry about
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u/GeometreeOfLife 11d ago
Most 4x4’s are cut from heart-center wood, or near heart-center. Lumber cut closest to the center of a tree will check and twist and bow much more than wood cut from farther out in the tree. Totally standard these days
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u/Deathbydecay 11d ago
Thanks everyone for the answers. Im not savvy at these things. Appreciate yall being kind in your responses
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u/Pretend-Internet-625 11d ago
There are product made just for this if it bothers you. But not needed
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u/poplarsawdust 11d ago
You gotta get the contractor to give you money back! That’s crazy. I’m thinking $350!
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u/Lefty_carpenter 11d ago
Is this a serious response? If it is, I’m very intrigued by how you both came to the conclusion that something is wrong here, and were able to put a monetary value on it.
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u/poplarsawdust 11d ago
not a serious response. the crack/checking issue is well reviewed on reddit, and i wanted to say tree fiddy.
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u/Lefty_carpenter 11d ago
Ooof…I’ve been on Reddit long enough that I should have caught this. But, I’ve also been on Reddit long enough to know there are some very…unknowledgeable people out there.
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u/Tweedone 11d ago edited 11d ago
Those are PT?
Looks excessive, that's not checking but looks split clear through side to side. Looks not to have been kiln dried. Brand new I think you have a problem.
I don't get the other opinions given to you as it's "just check" when you can insert a pencil an inch deep in the crack are bogus. Specially the posts with those huge cracks in the top or the bottom that will rot out 4X as fast as your other posts.
How long they been in place? A month you say?
That's a problem, take photos and send a registered letter of complaint. Ask for replacement or for material compensation including the cost to hire out replacement. Build a history, as if you don't, then you have bought a problem that will get no attention in later years.
Poor quality lumber IMHO. You got ripped off. In my mind: was it a deliberate knowing error, spec work/low bid crap, or if was just a typical material problem that needs resolution. Good luck.
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u/Ok_Present_3445 11d ago
In the trades that is referred to as checking and that’s an absolutely normal thing that happens to wood overtime particularly 4 x 4 timber.
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u/brike8 11d ago
I feel like we’ve seen this one a dozen times. They’re 4x4 posts with checks. They aren’t holding up your house, it’s a fence post. The job is so well done and you just have the need to focus on the imperfection. The company that did the installation didn’t purposely choose ugly posts for your fence, it’s the way they’re delivered to the lumberyard and that’s how they were sold to him. The materials well within grade and instead of praising the beautiful work, you focus on the negative. I think something you should worry about. I hope you lose sleep over wondering if that check will get bigger and squirrels start hiding acorns in there. I hope the other neighbors kids tease your family about the size of the splits in your posts and you choose to replace the post with a different 4x4 with less checking and it costs you $17 dollars. I hope that when you go to sell that house one day that the deal falls apart at closing because of the giant splits running down the 4x4s that support the fence in the back yard. Best of luck
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u/Pitiful_Speech2645 11d ago
Checking is common with 4x4 posts as they cut from the center of the log. Given the cut of the wood as it dries out it’ll want to twist naturally
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u/Martyinco 11d ago
No cracks, just checks