We cannot stress enough, the importance of safe, well-built boundary walls. The safety of your property and family is your no.1 priority. Make sure that you do everything correctly, so as to avoid having the expense of tearing the wall down, and having to have it rebuilt.

When neighbours agree to share the costs of boundary walls and fences, the ownership of the walls and fences are then shared.

Even though you own your side of the wall or fence, and your neighbour the other side, neither one of you may do anything to the wall, e.g. lower or raise it, or break it down, without the permission of the joint owner.

Should the wall be damaged in any way, both owners must share the repair costs.

If the wall exists when you move onto the property, and ownership is not known, then it is presumed that the wall is jointly owned by both neighbours.

The National Building Regulations state that walls or fences up to a maximum height of 1.8m are regarded as minor building work, and therefore do not require building plans.

Any wall or fence higher than 1.8m, and a maximum of 2.1m will require building plans.

If both sides make an effort to keep boundary walls in good condition, then it is a huge asset to property owners, and not a drain on their finances. Regular checks to see whether anyone has tried to tamper with the walls, is a wise action.

Having deep foundations, around 1.5m, is a very wise option, as it prevents anyone trying to dig under the walls to gain access to your property.

Always check the rules and regulations with your local municipality before you erect any boundary walls or fences.

If you would like to discuss your requirements, have any questions, or would like a free quotation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What You'll Need •    Power washer •    Bleach or mildewcide •    Scraper •    Wire brush •    Safety goggles •    Gloves •    Face mask •    Tri-sodium phosphate •    Plastic bucket •    Scrub brush •    Concrete patch •    Paint •    Floor texture •    Brush cleaner •    Primer/sealer •    Tape •    Plastic wrap •    Brush •    Roller •    Roller covers

You can use a fresh coat of paint to bring new life to an old basement, an exterior masonry wall, brick, or even a garage floor. With proper preparation, painting surfaces like these can be simple, and the end result will be worth the effort.

Step 1 - Clean the Surface

As with most painting projects, preparation is the biggest key to your success. If at all possible, power wash the surface first. This is the fastest and easiest way to remove old paint and any debris that will interfere with new paint. Use the power washer with some bleach or mildewcide if there is mold or algae present. However, you may be working inside, or in a place where the mess of a power washer isn't appropriate. If that’s the case, tackle cleaning with a scraper and a wire brush instead.

After all of the loose paint and debris has been removed, make sure that the substrate is clean. Any oil or grease on the masonry surface will bleed through the paint, causing discoloration, and possibly interfering with the longevity of the paint job. Use tri-sodium phosphate, also simply known as TSP, to clean the concrete surface before applying any product. Put on safety goggles, gloves, and a face mask; then, mix your TSP cleaner in a bucket according to the manufacturer’s instructions and scrub it onto the surface with a scrub brush to remove any grease or oil and ensure that your paint will stick well.

Step 2 - Make Any Repairs

If you have any defects in the surface to repair, use a simple, ready-mix concrete patch to fix them after you clean. Refer to the manufacturer's recommendations when trying to assess how long the patch should dry before being painted.

Step 3 - Select Your Paint

When choosing your paint, the most important thing to keep in mind is location. Where is the paint going to be applied? When you’ll want to use interior over exterior paint—or vice versa—is fairly self-explanatory. Many manufacturers actually do make specific masonry paints, and some are even designated as floor paints, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding what you need if you pay attention. There are also additives for your floor paint that can give it some texture or grip. This material is inexpensive and doesn't change the color but does prevent the slips that can occur when wet feet hit a slippery floor. Some kits also come with decorative chips that are added as the paint is applied.
If you are using an oil-based paint and primer, you will need mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean your brushes, and most likely yourself.

Step 4 - Seal and Prime

Almost any masonry surface needs to be both sealed and primed before the paint is applied. The sealer is often clear, but keeps moisture from coming through the concrete. This is especially true in basements, which tend to hold moisture anyway. If you are not sure whether your basement has been sealed or not, tape all four sides of a square of plastic kitchen wrap onto the floor and leave it for 24 hours. If the floor hasn't been sealed, you will see condensed water between the plastic wrap and the floor that has evaporated up through the concrete. Check with a paint store or your local home improvement store’s paint department when selecting your products. Buy a quality masonry sealer and a primer that complements it. Use the two-step process of sealing and priming to build a strong, water-resistant foundation for your paint.

Step 5 - Paint the Surface

After your sealer and primer coats are completely dry, apply the paint. Use a paint brush to do detail work such as around windows and trim or baseboards. You also need a brush for cutting in along the walls when painting a floor. A roller can be used to do the bulk of the painting, but make sure to read the manufacturer's recommendations as to what size nap to use. At least 3/4-inch or one-inch nap is recommended. Buy at least three roller covers, one each for the sealer, primer, and paint.

Apply several thin coats, rather than trying to apply one very thick coat, as paint actually forms a harder surface when thin coats are laid on top of each other. One thick coat often results in a gummy or soft surface. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly; this is often called “curing.” It means that the paint has dried through all the layers down to the original surface. Paint dries to different thicknesses, or “mils,” depending on its sheen and makeup. The thicker the mil of the paint, the longer this process can take. Paint applied to floors or walls in basements may have a longer curing cycle.

After your final coat of paint is applied, allow the paint to cure for the recommended time. If the paint is on the floor and you don't let it dry long enough, it may dry with footprints that will never go away.
Painting a masonry or concrete surface, be it walls or floors, inside or out, can give new life to your home. A space that may once have been dank and dirty can now be bright and clean. You can actually increase the amount of livable space you have just by adding some paint.

Contact Country Wide Walling for a free quotation

There are many homeowners who install a fence around their property without giving it much thought. 

A fence is a fence….right?   Wrong!!!

Some fences can actually make you a target for burglars, which is the opposite of what you really want and need to help protect you from burglars.

There are a few important things to take into consideration when deciding on the type of fence you need:

1.      Doesn’t Provide a Hiding Place.

When deciding on the type of security fence you need, think “see-through”.  You need to be able to see anyone attempting to enter your property and if they do get in, you want neighbours, the security company and passers-by to be able to see them.

High, solid security walls offer a great hiding place for burglars, and should be avoided, especially if you are living in a high crime area in South Africa.

2.    Difficult to Climb Over.

There are ways to prevent a would-be burglar from entering your property.   Here are a few important points to keep in mind.

•    Make sure the fence is high, the higher the better.
•    Another thing to check are the horizontal rails, as fences with too many horizontal rails can give burglars a foothold to help them climb your fence.  The fewer the horizontal rails are, the more safe the fence will be from climbers.
•    The top of the fence should be spiked or pointed at the top, or you can install razor wire, electric fencing, or ant-climb spikes on the top of the fence for added protection.

3.    Not Easily Circumvented.

If a burglar can easily go under the fence, or cut through it, your security fence is worthless to you.  Make sure too that your gates are closed and locked so that they can’t just walk in.

To avoid this type of thing happening, it is good to consider the following:

•    Make sure your fencing is secured into the ground with concrete.  Posts definitely need to be well secured in concrete.   Although it is a bit expensive to have a concrete footing the whole length of the fence, it does offer the best security to prevent digging.
•    Make sure that the steel used for the fencing cannot easily be cut through with, for instance, bolt cutters.
•    A fence is only as secure as its weakest point, so make sure that you have very secure, heavy duty gates that match the security of the fence.

Always bear in mind:   Your home looks more difficult to break into if you have proper security fences and gates.  It serves as a mental barrier as it will be impossible to get to the house unnoticed and a quick getaway is then out of the question, as a burglar wants to be able to get away with whatever they have stolen as quickly as possible.

If you need advice, more information or a free quotation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

It is important to check the boundary walls and fences policy with your local authority, before you erect your boundary wall, or you might be saddled with penalties and fines, and the possibility of having to tear down your boundary fences.  It is ultimately up to them what you can, and cannot do, as regards your boundary walls.

Boundary walls are one of the most controversial topics facing home owners.  Two very important issues are the position of boundary walls, and the ownership of them. All properties are surveyed and pegged when land is zoned for residential use. 

Generally the pegs are removed as soon as the land is built on, that is why it is important to ensure that the boundary walls and fences are correctly positioned from the start. It may be necessary to get a land surveyor to resurvey the property, if there is a dispute between neighbours over the positioning of the boundary fences.  The land surveyor will resurvey the property according to the official diagram that is lodged with the Surveyor General in Pretoria.

You are allowed to erect a boundary fence on your own property.  This does not only apply to the fence or wall, but also to the foundations which would be wider and longer than the wall itself.   Then the structure will belong to you. On the other hand, if you and your neighbour share the cost, then the structure should be erected so that it is on both properties.

If the wall belongs to you only, the law will protect the structure, should your neighbour decide to dig down next to your wall on their side, especially if it is likely to wash away the earth when there are heavy rains.  If the neighbour wants to do some sort of excavation next to your fence or wall, they would have to erect a retaining wall which would require plans being submitted for approval.

It is always best to check with your local authority as regards the height of the walls to avoid later problems.  Generally walls are allowed up to 1.8m without a plan having to be submitted, as it would be regarded as minor building work.  Some authorities do allow up to 2.1m, but it is better to be safe than sorry, so take the time to find out exactly what it allowed, as regards height and type of walling, and security features allowed.

If you need more information, would like to discuss your requirements, or would like a free quotation, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

If you are the proud owner of your own property or business, then you should bear in mind that it is very important to erect a good, quality boundary fence, to protect it from unwanted visitors, and to keep your children and animals safe from wandering out into traffic.

There are various designs and options from which you can choose. Boundary walls are not unsightly, and choosing your own, unique design will be both aesthetically pleasing, as well as protecting your family, business or home.

You are free to choose from a variety of options available to you, and receive the best quality available.

Here at Country Wide Walling, our aim is to go above and beyond what a client is expecting, and give them the best service and walling possible.

You have to bear in mind, also, that there are restrictions as to height of walling. If you do not adhere to the rules, you could be fined and forced to break down the walls, and lose all the money you invested. Do it right the first time. Our consultants are fully trained and will assist you, and guide you into making the correct choices that will suite your individual requirements.

Whether you choose steel palisades, or concrete for your boundary walls, Country Wide Walling can assist you, and you can rest assured that you will have the best protection available.

If you have no boundary fencing, you should most definitely be thinking about having one installed, not just for the aesthetic appeal, but for the safety and security of your property and family.

Boundary walls need to be properly installed, to add to your safety. You do not want a slap dash installation, which could collapse and cause serious injury or even death to a loved one.

Take the time today, contact us at Country Wide Walling and discuss with our consultants what you would like to have installed, or get a free quotation.

Your family depend on you for their safety.