Good Gates Make Good Neighbors |
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I used to wonder at the apparent paranoia or antisocial behavior of certain neighbors who were suddenly blocking their roads with gates, roads that I used to drive on my way to town, though now impassable due to erosion. I really thought I would never do something like that. It began with our noticing that some things weren't quite right. Here and there on our private road some brush had been cut and left in place, potentially becoming fire storm fuel. Then suddenly a neighbor was grading the other three roads around the parcel below us. He had not asked permission of the actual property owners, nor of the County. Even though they do not control or maintain these roads, they would probably require a permit. He had even cut into the far end of our road which belongs to another very concerned neighbor. Suddenly I realized that he would be coming in my direction and I had better do something fast. We, and four others fully own our road because it cuts up and through our properties to get around a wash. A tin sign probably older then me does say "Private Road". California law says that I really do own my corner of the road - just put up some signs. I put up two "No Trespassing" signs and told the intrusive neighbor to stay off of my property. You do have to tell them. (I also told other concerned neighbors that they are welcome to pass through anytime they wish. Just don't alter the terrain.) And I parked our car on the road for now, also establishing ownership. I then purchased a real nice ranch gate at Tractor Supply in Yucca Valley and had it delivered. The story follows: |
Old sign at the other end of our private road |
The south half of our road was secretly graded. Another neighbor then moved rocks into it. |
Added a sign and blocked our end of the road |
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Adding a 2nd "No Trespassing" sign to our road |
Tractor Supply gates |
Our 16' Countyline Utility gate has arrived |
Digging the first post hole |
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Bringing home the douglas fir posts & braces |
A Simpson Strong-Tie anchor on the post with post brace connectors |
Found a boulder in the post hole |
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Hanging the Simpson anchor on the 8' post inside the hole |
Getting the hole wet before pouring concrete |
Pouring concrete around the Simpson anchor |
Fitting a post brace |
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Fitting a Simpson connector to the brace |
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Extending the Simpson Strong-Tie with an 8" bolt |
Keeping the concrete wet until it becomes solid |
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Preserving the Douglas Fir gate post |
Fitting the 16' ranch gate to the post |
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Digging the second post hole on the right |
Hanging the second 8 foot post's anchor inside the hole |
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Fitting the post brace steel brackets |
Fitting the Simpson Strong-Tie to the post brace |
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Chiseling a hole for the third post |
Cutting the first post to height of the second |
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Then cut and treated the third post |
The gate wheel fits perfectly - here |
The gate hinges are centered |
The gate wheel overlaps post three |
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Moving the gate hinges |
The gate wheel now fits |
Raising the driveway to carry the gate wheel |
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Oops! Round concrete pilings will want to rotate |
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This gate latch and its stub barely connect |
This post does not need a gate latch |
Shimmed this ranch gate stub with a stick |
Eight inch wide posts allow lateral adjustment |
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Solar lamps on post tops will light the way at night |
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Copyright © 2019, Van Blakeman |