It’s a cool and cloudy September day, which would have been perfect for cutting wood. Really wish I hadn’t blown myself out doing it yesterday in the sun.
Be that as it may I did, so I scheduled today for light chores while I kind of heal up. Two stops on the circuit involved screwing things down better than they were before…
A few weeks ago a mildly windy day pulled up the windward side of Former Neighbor J’s greenhouse wall. The screws came out of the apparently softening baseboard wood. I put it back together with more aggressive screws, but always wanted to get some more washers and do it more. So today I got around to accomplishing that before the next windstorm ripped the whole thing to shreds.
Remember this? It’s Landlady’s new solar panel rack. I have no argument with the design, and she wasn’t shorted on cement or lumber, but the means of fastening the lumber to the cement perplexed me. The rack is braced admirably in every direction except the one in which the wind will push it, and I can only assume he just didn’t bring enough lag bolts.
So I got more lag bolts and washers, and now all the pedestals have four bolts each rather than two. It may not have been necessary, I’m not a construction engineer, but I feel better now.
And I think I’m going to take the rest of the day off. My back is still sore and my stump is still throbbing a little. Give it a little rest and it’ll be better, push it and it can suddenly get way worse.
RE: Landlady’s new solar panel rack
Not to criticize whomever built it, but I wonder if there was any consideration given to a pair of similar concrete bases about 6 feet behind the assembly between the two outside pair at each end to accept one diagonal 2X6 each, connecting the ground-anchored concrete to the top horizontal rail at a 45 degree angle to add wind bracing specifically against the greatest wind force (and use of the proper fasteners would also add resistance to winds from the opposite direction trying to lift the assembly). Triangles for strength and all that. Not all forces are purely vertical.
Additional expense and labor, etc. but probably much cheaper than new panels and more convenient than doing without electrons should the structure pancake. Actually, thinking about it, three ground-anchored concrete bases and doubled 2X6s wouldn’t be excessive.
More lag screws are better. If it is worth building it is worth overbuilding.
I know what you mean. I’m about your age with two legs but a bit of titanium in my back. I dug 400 pounds of potatoes yesterday (the boys picked them up for me). I used every excuse not to dog more today.