QA

Quick Answer: 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 you bury an 8 foot fence post?

How Deep Should a Fence Post Be? For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you’ll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.

What size post do you use for an 8 foot fence?

A common rule of thumb, is to dig the hole 3 times as large as the post, and to a depth of 1/3-1/2 of the post height above ground. so for a 8′ high fence, using 4×4 posts. dig the holes 12″ in diameter, to a depth of 2 1/2 – 4′. Of course, that’s assuming you’re setting the posts in concrete.

Is 12 inches deep enough for fence post?

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).

How much concrete do I need for an 8 foot post?

8ft post 4/4 6ft out 2 ft in ground 1 and 1 /2 bag poured in the hole then add water. 8ft post 4/6 2 bags. The post must be at least two feet into the ground, and the concrete should reach about four inches from the surface. Depends on how big you make that hole, that’s how much concrete you will need.

How much of 8 foot post is ground?

The post must be at least two feet into the ground, and the concrete should reach about four inches from the surface.

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.

Can I build an 8ft fence?

An 8-foot high wooden privacy fence using treated lumber can be built over the course of 2 days, depending upon the length of the fence. It is a moderately easy job. A fence built in this manner will withstand gusty winds and if it is treated with water-repellent coating, should last for approximately 15 years.

How far apart do you put fence posts?

Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn’t cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.

Can I install 8 foot fence?

According to the California Building Code, Chapter 1, Section 105.2., a permit isn’t required if the fence is less than 7 feet in height. Typically, fences can’t be taller than 4 ft. for your front yard, and can’t be taller than 6 ft.

Is 18 inches deep enough for a fence post?

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.

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 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.

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.

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.