DO Employ a Base Gravel Layer. If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.
Whether you're building a fence, setting a mailbox or even a basketball goal, the best way to ensure your posts will stay sturdy and true for years is to set them in concrete.
There are a few options for materials to set your fence posts if you aren't using cement. These include dirt, gravel, sand, and crushed rock. Dirt: Filling the hole with dirt and compacting it will help to support the fence post. However, this method is not very strong.
This means that the bottom of your fence post will be consistently exposed to water if you don't get enough drainage. Because large gravel leaves big gaps when packed together, water can run through it efficiently. Smaller, sand-like gravel absorbs water but provides better support.
Rain, dampness and ice seep into the wood above the surface and at the ground-line. Rot soon takes over, eating the post from the inside, out. You need to block rot from getting at your fence posts.
Many people wonder if it's viable to install fence posts without using concrete as an anchor and base. The answer to this question is yes, but it's not easy. If you are installing a fence in your backyard, then this might be an easier job than most projects that require concrete work.
To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole. Once you have added gravel to a depth of three inches or so, use a piece of scrap lumber to tamp down the layer. Next, pour an additional three inches of gravel into the hole, tamping down a second time.
Set posts on a 6-inch base of ¾-inch crushed stone to encourage drainage. Then fill around posts with the soil from the holes, minus the topsoil, and packs it down every 6 inches. In sandy soil, mix in gravel so that it will pack more firmly. In clay soil, which doesn't drain well, pack only gravel around posts.
If there are more than one rock or stone or if there are a series at regular intervals, rocks were used to indicate a turning or stopping point. Long before marking chalk, paint, strip markers and GPS were available, ranchers and farmers used stones as visible place or reference point markers.
Dry cast posts are manufactured using a semi-dry concrete mix which is compacted to give it strength. Dry posts are approximately 15-20% stronger and less brittle than wet cast posts. As such, you should always look for dry cast concrete posts!
Most fence posts require anywhere from one to 10 bags of concrete. Actual concrete amounts vary depending on post hole diameter and depth. Account for frost lines and gravel when doing calculations.
As a general rule of thumb, you'll need to place at least 1/3 the height of the post in the ground. For example, a six-foot tall fence will need at least two feet of post in the ground. Research the frost line depth in your area.
Whether you're building a new fence or anchoring a play structure, setting the posts in concrete is the best way to make sure they'll stand straight and true for many years.
The answer -— as it often does in fencing construction — depends. As a general rule, Fencing Direct recommends at least a 24-inch footing depth for a 4-foot fence, plus an extra 3 inches for every foot of height (for example, 27 inches for a 5-foot post).
While a treated 4x4 may last 10 to 25 years, depending on the wood, the soil, and weather conditions, following the simple steps below could double or triple that number. By comparison, an untreated wood fence post may need replacing in as little as five years.
Placing a thick layer of loose gravel at the bottom of the post hole will allow groundwater to trickle through the rocks and down away from the base of the post. This will prevent the post from rotting by keeping it constantly dry. You can purchase gravel at a local hardware store or landscaping-supply business.
A rule of thumb is that 1/3rd the height of the fence panel should be reflected in how deep the post should be. We highly recommend in investing in a post digger as they are very easy to use and reduces the complexity of the task.
How much gravel do I put in the hole? You should put approximately 2" to 4" of gravel in the bottom of the hole making sure that the Post stands 6' 4" tall from the ground to the top of the post. How wide should the holes be? An 8" diameter wide hole should be dug for the posts to be inserted for a solid Fence.
The American Standards for Testing Materials (ASTM) suggests always setting fence posts in cement. One of the most important reasons your fence posts should be set in concrete is to keep them plumb and level over time.
It doesn't matter if it is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project or a professional installation, wood fence or vinyl fence, your fence posts should be set in concrete. Without a properly set concrete footer, your fence posts will begin to sag until they eventually fail.
Concrete posts are susceptible to chips and cracks, which can cause problems for your fencing. When a small chip or crack appears on the surface, water can travel deep into the post. The water can then freeze in cold conditions (usually overnight), causing the chip or crack to worsen overtime.