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.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting in concrete?
Consider Adding Posts to Concrete
From here, you should fill the hole with about 6 inches of gravel . This will prevent rotting by ensuring that the post is kept dry when water makes its way into the soil. Place the post in the gravel, then fill it with a batch of cement until it reaches the top of the hole.
Will fence posts rot 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 . ... This allows any moisture that gets between the concrete and the bottom of the post to percolate through the gravel and away from the bottom of the post.
How much cement should be around a fence post?
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.
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 pressure treated post last in the ground?
The length of time that you can keep a treated post in the ground depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, in the optimal conditions, it can last as long as 40 years. More commonly, though, it will last around 20 years .
How do you protect a wooden post from rotting in the ground?
Placing a thick layer of loose gravel at the bottom of the post hole will allow groundwater to trickle through the rocks and down away from the base of the post. This will prevent the post from rotting by keeping it constantly dry. You can purchase gravel at a local hardware store or landscaping-supply business.
Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?
A deck post should always be placed on top of footing, not inside concrete because it can break . ... Concrete tends to absorb moisture and wood expands when it gets wet, so these two factors combined will result in the wood breaking the concrete.
How long will treated fence post last in concrete?
5 Answers. A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone . I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don’t let the PT post come in contact with the ground.
How long will 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 many bags of concrete do I need for a 4×4 post?
It’s right for a 4×4 fence post to have 1 bag per hole . The depth of the post hole should be half of the post height. For a 6′ above ground post, place 3 feet in the ground and use a post with an overall height of 9 feet.
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.
What is the best concrete mix for fence posts?
In terms of the ratio to use for a concreting fence posts, the best mix is a mix of 1:2:4 (1 cement, 2 sand, 4 aggregate) . Concrete is always best mixed using a cement mixer to ensure it’s even, but if you only need to mix a little, hand mixing is ok (see mixing concrete project above for tips on how to do this).
Is 2 feet deep enough for a 6 foot fence?
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).
What size Post do you use for a 6 foot fence?
The depth of the post hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 the height of your fence. For example, if you are building a fence that’s 6 feet tall, you will need a hole that is at least 2 feet deep. That also means that you’d need to use an 8-foot post .
What is the maximum distance between 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.
