Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting in concrete?
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.
How do I put a post in the ground without concrete?
Procedure:
- Find a concrete surface and lightly tamp your digging iron against it. …
- Remove the turf and topsoil from the site of the post. …
- Dig the hole putting the displaced earth onto the tarp. …
- Pour 4 inches of gravel into the hole.
- Place the post in the hole. …
- Add another 2 inches of gravel around the base of the post.
How do you compact the soil around a fence post?
Position two pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch lumber against opposite sides of the post at an angle to keep the fence post in a vertical position. Fill the hole approximately one-quarter full with dirt. Place the flat end of the tamper into the hole. Lift it up and drop it down repeatedly to compact the dirt into the hole.
What is the best gravel to use for fence posts?
Pea gravel is commonly used for fence post holes. Gravel that is roughly three eighths of an inch in size is generally a good medium between drainage and support, though gravel close to that size also may be used. If you want to use the best gravel for your area, you may want to consult a contractor.
How do you put a fence post in clay soil?
Set posts on a 6-inch base of ¾-inch crushed stone to encourage drainage. Then fill around posts with the soil from the holes, minus the topsoil, and packs it down every 6 inches. In sandy soil, mix in gravel so that it will pack more firmly. In clay soil, which doesn’t drain well, pack only gravel around posts.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting at the ground level?
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.
Can you install fence posts without concrete?
Luckily, there are several functional alternatives that will allow you to install a fence post without concrete. Fence posts can be anchored with gravel, resulting in surprisingly strong anchors that also drain away moisture to prevent water damage.
Should you use concrete for fence posts?
Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.
How do you put a fence post in gravel?
To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole. Once you have added gravel to a depth of three inches or so, use a piece of scrap lumber to tamp down the layer. Next, pour an additional three inches of gravel into the hole, tamping down a second time.
How much gravel do I need for a 4×4 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.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
The minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for panel sections is 2 feet. A general formula is to dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has, but you must also purchase longer posts.
Can you use pea gravel to set fence posts?
Setting wood or vinyl fence posts is a critical part of fence construction to make sure that the fence is sturdy. The use of pea gravel to help set posts provides good drainage and, when combined with concrete, results in a sturdy fence post installation.
How many inches of gravel do I need for a fence post?
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. Then compact and level the gravel using a post or 2×4.
How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?
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. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.
Should wood fence posts be set in concrete?
First rule, gang: Do not set wooden posts in concrete. Look, no matter what preventative steps you take (and I’ll get to those), eventually wooden posts rot, and eventually you’ll have to set new ones. Not only does burying them in concrete make for more work down the line, it actually can speed up the rotting.
Does wood rot in concrete?
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.
How long should you let fence post set in concrete?
Typically, you can apply some weight to the posts after 4 hours, but it’s a good idea to wait at least 24 hours before resuming fence construction. Standard concrete mixes may take up to two hours to set and should cure for 24 to 48 hours before any forces are applied to the posts.
How long will a wooden post last in concrete?
The post will only rot at ground level, it does not matter what you put in the bottom of the hole. A pressure treated post will last around 10 years.
Do posts rot faster in concrete?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So the myth goes something like when you surround a post with concrete it doesn't let the moisture inside the wood evaporate. Now that's wrong because as the post dries above the concrete.
What should I put between wood and concrete?
Anyplace where wood meets the ground or concrete, the lumber must be pressure treated. For additional moisture protection, a gasket or strip of closed-cell foam can be installed between the concrete foundation and the sill plate.
