How deep should fence footings be?

2 feet





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.

How deep should fence post foundations be?

The 2 ft Rule



Lawsons experts recommend you should dig a hole which has a depth of 2 ft (24 in / 600mm) to ensure you have a stable timber or concrete fence post.

Should fence posts be set in concrete?

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.

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 far apart do you put fence posts?

8 to 12 feet apart

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.

Does capping fence posts prevent rot?

Do Fence Posts Need Caps? Again, absolutely. Although seemingly insignificant, caps are vital tools in the fight against rot, fulfilling the crucial role of protecting fence posts’ vulnerable tops. Without fence post caps or, if you’re feeling fancy, finials, the tops of posts remain constantly exposed to the elements.

How big of a hole do you need for a 4×4 post?



12 inches

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.

What size fence post do I need for a 5ft fence?

Calculate the post lengths



Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft.

How tall should a fence be for a 6 foot fence?



Post lengths for fences start at 8 or 10 feet for a 6-foot-tall fence. They are commonly four-by-fours, which measure approximately 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, or six-by-sixes, at around 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches.

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.

How deep should a 8 foot fence post be?

about 2 feet deep

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.

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.

Do fence posts need to be below frost line?

All fence posts should be cemented in the ground below frost level. Check your local frost level and dig deeper by at least 6″.

What is the best cement for fence posts?

Quikrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix

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.

Is foam good for fence posts?



Concrete provides a strong support for these products. Expanded foam has nowhere near the density or rigidity. It is plenty strong enough to hold the post up under normal circumstances, but has little structural strength.

Is rapid set concrete good for fence posts?

Rapid Set Concrete is ideal for house jobs like setting pergola and fence posts, whereas Quick Set Concrete is a great choice for fence corners and structural supports where higher compressive strength is required.

Can I use quikrete for fence posts?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: There's also recommended to add about six inches to the hole depth for the addition of gravel. Once you have dug your post hole add about six inches of quikrete all-purpose.

Can you mix quikrete in the hole?

With Fast-Setting Concrete there is no mixing or tools required – You simply pour the dry mix right from the bag into the hole, then add water. Fast-Setting Concrete sets in about 20 minutes so you can quickly move onto the next step of your outdoor project.

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.