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The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.
How deep should a 8 foot fence post be?
In general, holes should be at least 3 feet deep for posts that extend 8 feet or more above ground level. Posts that extend 6 feet above ground level should have holes at least 2 1/2 feet deep.
Is 3 feet deep enough for fence posts?
Is 3-Feet Deep Enough For Fence Posts? As a general rule of thumb one-third of your post should be underground, the other two-thirds above. Let’s take a standard 6foot (72 inches) fence as an example. You will need a 9foot (108 Inches) post so that 3ft (35 inches) can be underground and 6ft can be above ground.
How deep should a 5 foot fence post be?
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.
Is cement required for fence posts?
Do Fence Posts Need To Be Set in Concrete? No, fence posts don’t need to be set in concrete, and there are plenty of other ways to fix your posts if this feels a bit too permanent. If you are using wooden posts, concrete may actually be the worst option.
How shallow can a fence post be?
For any type of fence, the depth of the hole you must dig depends on how tall the post will be above ground. You should always bury one-third of your fence post underground. For a 6-foot fence, for example, you need a 9-foot post, so that 3 feet can be underground.
How big of a hole do I need for a 4×4 post?
The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.
How many bags of concrete do you need for a fence post?
1 – 4 bags of concrete per fence post are typically what’s needed. This depends on the type of soil, fence design, height, post size and bag weight. In general the depth of the post’s hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 of the above ground height of the post.
How do you dig a 6-foot post hole?
How to Dig a Hole: Pro Tips Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes. Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade. Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel. Step 4: Use your clamshell digger. Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots. Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar. Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there’s no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.
Can pressure treated posts be set in concrete?
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. Concrete should be poured around the post – no concrete under the post.
Can you reuse fence posts with concrete?
Pulling up an existing fence post to reuse can be quite a task. Posts with concrete at the base are the most difficult to remove and reuse because the concrete base is larger than the post, which makes pulling it up through the ground much harder.
Should a fence post wiggle?
WOBBLY wooden fence posts should be repaired promptly before they cause other fence parts to loosen. Posts that have been in the ground for less than five years usually wobble because of improper installation; ordinarily, tightening them is fairly easy.
What do you do if you can’t dig a post hole deep enough?
If terrain is too rocky to set wood posts, you can usually put steel posts in deep enough to hold, using rock baskets every so often for braces. Another strategy for rocks or frozen ground when using a post-pounder is to create a pilot hole.
How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?
How Long Will A Treated 4×4 Last In The Ground? (Explained) A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil.
How many bags of gravel do I need for a fence post?
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.
Is it better to nail or screw fence boards?
Nails are faster than screws to install, meaning less labor for you or your builder (which may translate into lower installation cost). Screws, on the other hand, secure the fence better than nails. They also ensure easier rework should you need to replace a damaged picket.
What is the best concrete mix for fence posts?
For a small to mid sized job I recommend going with premixed. The best concrete mix for fence posts I’ve found is Quikrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix in a 50 lb bag. It’s 4000 psi, easy to work with, sets up fast, and doesn’t need to be mixed. Just pour it in the hole and soak with water.
