Fencing with concrete posts

[toak]

I want to replace a 14m length of fence soon. I have good solid concrete posts with 3 slots for the rails, top middle and bottom.

The problem I have is that the posts are set quite low, so that the bottom rail is on the ground. Is there anything I can do to prevent the bottom rails rotting quickly as the old ones have done, without redoing the posts (which I definitely don't want to do!)

Also - I'd like to fit a gravel board this time (none at the moment) but cant see how. If I fix if to the bottom rail what do I fix the bottom of the boards to? Would concrete gravel boards be best?

Many thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer.

 

[JohnD]

Concrete gravel boards are best.

You can use a 6-inch or a 12-inch gravel board and deduct that from the height of the boards or panels. 12-inch are better but very heavy to lug about.

How high off the ground is the lowest arris-rail hole, and, how many holes arethere? do your posts have slots, or are they just square with holes?

It is possible to fix a rail to a gravel board - I've made up some H-shaped steel clips - but there may be a better way.

 

[toak]

My posts have slots shaped for the rail, horizontal face at the bottom, angled face at the top. The bottom rail is literally right on the ground in places.

If I used concrete gravel board it would completely cover the bottom rail and I guess that would make fixing the bottom of the boards even harder.

I was wondering about routing an corner out of the top of the gravel board and then sitting the bottom of the board on the lip and nailing through it.