Table of Contents
How deep does a pole need to be in the ground?
Poles are typically set into the ground: 10% of the overall height + 2 feet, except in questionable soil conditions. Example: Overall pole height: 30 feet, the pole should be buried: 3 feet + 2 feet = 5 feet below grade, and 25 feet above grade. Note: always consult an engineer and review the soils report.
How do you put a metal pole in the ground?
Dig the hole so it’s at least twice the diameter of the metal post. Place 6 inches of gravel in the bottom of your hole for drainage. Place the metal post so it sits securely in the bottom of the hole atop the gravel and is centered. Shovel or pour 8 to 10 inches of gravel into the hole around the post.
How deep should a 16 foot post be in the ground?
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.
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 deep should a 35 foot pole be buried?
Set any pole with energized conductor 10% + 2 feet deep, i.e. a 35 ft pole should be set 5.5 feet deep.
How do you install metal fence posts without concrete?
If you decide to install your chain link fence without concrete, use a post-hole digger to make a hole deep enough to bury the posts at least two feet, or about 1/3rd of the height. Never pound the posts into the ground, especially if you have hard clay or rocky soil, because you’ll bend the tops.
How do you plumb a pole?
To plumb the poles, begin by digging holes where the poles are going. Then pour a concrete bearing pad in the bottom. This pad will distribute the vertical load of the pole onto a wider area and reduce the chances that the pole will settle.
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.
How do I keep my post level while concrete dries?
You need to level it in two directions with a 4-foot level. After getting it straight in the first direction, hold one of the braces against the post and drive a single screw to connect the brace to the post. You can then level and brace the post in the other direction and begin filling the hole.
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 many bags of concrete does it take to fill a post hole?
Most fence post holes will need between 1 – 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.
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.
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 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 do you secure a 4×4 post in the ground?
Project Instructions 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). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Set the post into the hole and attach 2×4 braces to adjacent sides of the post.
