With just a minimal level of maintenance, concrete fence posts can last for around 25 years. However, they are not immune to wear and tear.
Although concrete is strong and durable in many ways, it's not invincible. 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.
Unlike wooden fence posts concrete is not a degradable material and cannot be penetrated by rot or insect attack which is why people choose to opt for concrete over timber.
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.
Be sure to place the post in the center of the hole. Finally, fill the entire hole up with cement to the top. Concrete will hold the fence firmly in place and prevent any lateral movement. For even more protection, dome the top of the concrete so it slopes away from the post to divert water away from the post.
Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow.
Rot is a Real Threat for Any Wood
Pressure-treating can make wood water-resistant, but it's not 100 percent rot-resistant. Any time the wood moves, bends, or cracks, water can enter.
One of the most important reasons your fence posts should be set in concrete is to keep them plumb and level over time. If all supporting the fence post is loose soil or sand, a good storm with heavy rains and strong winds can leave your fence leaning and posts sagging.
Next, pour an additional three inches of gravel into the hole, tamping down a second time. This simple measure goes a long way toward helping rainwater drain freely into the subsoil. It works so well, in fact, that in mild climates, builders sometimes elect to set fence posts with gravel alone.
Pressure-treated wood is wood treated with chemicals to extend its lifetime. Most pressure-treated lumber is preserved with various alkaline coppers. With the right care, pressure-treated wood can last up to 40 years. The main benefits of this material are affordability, durability, and versatility.
With concrete holding the moisture against the wood, wood has no chance and will eventually lose the battle. Now you don't have to lose all hope because it's for certain that the concrete around the post will crack, therefore making it easy to pull out when it starts to rot. Even worse, the concrete cracks early.
Dig your hole to the correct depth, allowing for the height of the fence panel and the gravel board. As a rough guide the hole should be a minimum 1/3 the height of the fence, so a 6 foot fence would need an 8 foot post in a 2 foot deep hole. Similarly, the hole should be three times the diameter of the post.
However, in some unexpected circumstances or extreme conditions, a concrete fence post can incur damage. Then, depending on the extent of the damage, you can either repair or replace the affected concrete fence post.
It's important to keep in mind that, although this is an excellent way to establish fence posts, it requires some skill to keep your posts even and stable during the driving process. In most cases, pounding posts into the ground is better than augering and pouring concrete to place your fence posts.
The 8ft long (2.440m) intermediate post has a section size of 94mm x 109mm and weighs approximately 44kgs.
Concrete fence posts provide a stronger, more durable support for your fence panels. They will not rot or decay over time. They endure anything and you'll never have to worry about the concrete splitting, like you might with wooden posts. By using concrete posts, you remove the need for nails, brackets and fixings.
Once you've dug your hole, place about 6 inches of aggregate in the bottom of the posthole to allow for drainage. This will minimize the amount of water that comes into contact with your cedar fence post. Pro Tip: The bottom of the post should extend a few inches into the aggregate as shown.
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.
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).
Setting Fence Posts with Dry Cement
While using dry cement, or gravel, to set your fence post can be much less messy; it can also potentially be less durable. Dry cement is best suited for soils that consist of a more clay-like composition. It does not do as well as wet cement in loose soil.
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.
For fence posts, cedar can go several years without rotting; however, they tend to be less durable against soil erosion than pressure treated pine posts.
But when it comes to the basement, you may be wondering if it's possible to install hardwood flooring directly on top of the concrete. The short answer is yes; but be sure to talk to the experts before making a final decision.