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Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). 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).
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.
How deep should a 5 foot post be in the ground?
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.
Should fence posts be set in concrete?
Setting Fence Posts in Concrete Concrete is the most secure material for setting fence posts, especially if you have sandy soil. Gravel may be okay with dense, clay-heavy soil, but in looser soil, concrete is the only thing that will truly keep your fence posts stuck in place.
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 tall should a fence be for a 6-foot fence?
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 6-foot tall fence will need at least 2 feet of post in the ground.
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.
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.
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.
How do you dig a 4 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.
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.
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.
Should a fence follow the ground?
As you install the fence, let the pickets follow the slope of the land. This option is ideal for pet owners because the base of the fence sits flush with the turf; your furry friends can’t crawl underneath when you’re not looking.
