The main cause is the wood having prolonged exposure to moisture in soil which means fence posts decay at ground level – just above the concrete base. This means the post will still be solid below and above the damaged area. Insect infestations can also cause rotting in wooden fence posts.
Place your fence post on top of the gravel drainage layer and fill the rest of the hole in with soil, ensuring it stands firm and steady. As an alternative, Postsaver sleeves are a cost-effective, simple way to keep wood rot at bay.
Fill the first three inches up with gravel so the end of the post doesn't come into contact with the dirt. Gravel allows water to drain quickly away from the post and into the soil. Be sure to place the post in the center of the hole. Finally, fill the entire hole up with cement to the top.
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.
If properly treated and installed, pine fence posts can last for 20–35 years; untreated pine posts might only last 3–7 years. chemical in the posts. When large numbers of fence posts need to be installed it is probably most practical to pound them into the ground with a hydraulic post driver, small end first.
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.
Fence Rot Threat
Direct contact between the bottom of the fence and damp soil will allow moisture to infiltrate and soak into the fence easily from the earth. Rainfall, too, can be a factor, especially in unprotected wood; the rain will absorb directly into the fence, or will collect at the bottom in the soil.
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.
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.
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.
If you want to prevent wood rot, you need to keep the wood dry. Wood rot is simply different fungi that are consuming the wood. The fungi need water to live. You keep wood dry by painting and sealing it.
Yes. For a guaranteed 20-year fence post, we recommend using Pro-Set with Postsaver rot protectors.
Wooden Pockets for Filling in Gaps
To fill the space between the fence and the ground, use horizontal pieces of wood rather than bricks. Cut the wooden boards uniformly after measuring them. This is one of the best choices if you have a wooden fence because it will blend in flawlessly.
Without the bucket, the concrete will sink into the earth. It can also break down as it cures. On top of that, it is more difficult to pour into a hole in the ground than a bucket.
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.
While expanding foam can secure posts for lightweight fences such as vinyl or wire mesh, it's better to go with concrete for structural posts, such as posts for porches, decks, or large and heavy gates. Expanding foam is not as strong as concrete when supporting load-bearing posts.
In construction, a deadman is a relatively heavy weight, typically a mass concrete block used to provide support or resistance to a load. These blocks are usually embedded firmly in soil; however, some blocks may simply rest on the ground surface.
A kickboard will help your fence last longer. By keeping the main pickets away from moisture and other elements, they'll be less likely to rot. A pressure treated kickboard is specifically designed to handle ground contact so it makes sense to have one on the bottom of your fence.
Having a gap between the bottom of your fence and the ground can make yard maintenance and clean up much easier. Uneven landscaping or ground cover can make it difficult to mow, weed eat, and edge around your fence.
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.
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.
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.