What Types of Concrete Can I Use For Fence Posts?
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How much concrete do you need for a fence post?
When you're installing a fence post, the amount of concrete you need will be calculated based on the diameter of your fence post and how high the post is above ground. Most fence post holes will need between 1 - 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place.
How to set fence posts with concrete?
How To Set Fence Posts in the Ground?
- Concrete Footer With Steel Anchor. A steel anchor is a bracket that holds a post in place. ...
- Gravel and/or Crushed Rock. Gravel is an excellent alternative to concrete since it eliminates drainage issues both beneath and around the foundation.
- Mix and Pour Your Own Concrete. ...
- Directly In the Soil. ...
How much concrete for 4x4 fence post?
Two 50-pound bags of fast-setting concrete will set a 4-inch-by-4-inch (or a 4-inch diameter) post in a 10-inch diameter hole 2 feet deep. Pour water into the dry mix and allow it to soak in. Use enough water to saturate the dry mix.
How to erect fence with concrete posts?
Select rot-resistant posts.
- You can also buy water repellent stains and apply a few coats to the end of the post. ...
- Wrapping the end of the post tightly with heavy roofing felt or tar paper is better than nothing.
- You'll need larger posts for the gates and corners, since these bear more weight.
What kind of concrete should I use for setting posts?
Fast-setting concreteFast-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.
Can you use regular concrete for fence posts?
Fast-setting concrete is convenient for individual fence post repairs, but lower-cost, standard concrete mix might be best for large-scale fence projects. While you can use fast-setting concrete or standard concrete for many applications, some projects are better suited for one product or the other.
Should I use concrete or cement 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.
What is the best 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).
What's the difference between quikrete and concrete?
Quikrete is concrete. They're both primarily sand, cement and aggregate stone. The only difference is that Quikrete has some additional ingredients and slight different ratios that make it set up faster. But it's still concrete.
Which quikrete is best for fence posts?
Overall, the 50lb Quikrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix is what I found works best for installing a fence post. It's easy to work with, sets fast, and is very strong.
How many bags of quikrete do I 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.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
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 long will a pressure treated post last in concrete?
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.
What is the mix of ballast and cement for fence posts?
Mixing 1 part cement to 6 parts ballast creates concrete suitable for driveways, paths and patios, and increasing the ratio to 1:8 gives foundation-strength concrete. It is of course possible to add other materials to increase the strength of the concrete – these often include steel reinforcing bars (“rebar”).
What is the difference between Postcrete and concrete?
Postcrete, on the other hand, is the name given to a post mix concrete, which is a ready to use blend of concrete ingredients that requires no mixing. Postcrete has additives that have been formulated specifically for setting wooden, metal or concrete posts into the ground on smaller projects, including fencing.
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
0:131:37How to Set Posts in Concrete (without mixing) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause there is no mixing you simply pour it into the hole. Dry. Then add water when digging yourMoreBecause there is no mixing you simply pour it into the hole. Dry. Then add water when digging your post hole it is important that the diameter of the hole be three times the width of the post.
Is one bag of concrete enough for 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.
What is the mix of ballast and cement for fence posts?
Mixing 1 part cement to 6 parts ballast creates concrete suitable for driveways, paths and patios, and increasing the ratio to 1:8 gives foundation-strength concrete. It is of course possible to add other materials to increase the strength of the concrete – these often include steel reinforcing bars (“rebar”).
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
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).
Can I use mortar for fence posts?
You can definitely set a fence post using mortar. Although the post won't be as strong as if you used concrete, it'll be stronger than just dirt or sand.
How deep should a fence post be buried?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, six-foot- high fence posts ideally need to be buried three feet into the ground. The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post.
How long does it take for concrete to set?
Add concrete into the hole and around the 4” x 4”. Depending on your climate, let concrete set up for 24 - 48 hours.
How deep should a post hole be?
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 4x4-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. ...
Can you use concrete for fence posts?
Fast-setting concrete is ideal for installing fence posts since it doesn't need to be mixed in a bucket or a wheelbarrow. Once you’ve finished digging your post holes, add about three to four inches of gravel into the bottom and compact it using a post or a 2x4.
How deep should a post hole be for a fence?
This means that if the frost line is typically 6 feet deep in your area a fence post hole should be about 7 feet deep, even if the fence is only going to be 4 or 5 feet above the ground. Photo: istockphoto.com.
How big should a post hole be?
The post hole diameter should be about 3 times as large as the diameter of the post, so a 4-inch diameter post would have a 12-inch diameter hole. The depth of the hole should be about ⅓ to ½ the height of the post.
How many cubic feet are in a 40 lb bag of concrete?
For reference, a 40-pound bag of concrete typically yields about 0.3 cubic feet, a 50-pound bag yields 0.37 cubic feet, a 60-pound bag yields 0.45 cubic feet, and an 80-pound bag yields 0.6 feet. This means that in the example above, each post would require about eight 50-pound bags. Advertisement.
Can you use concrete to set a fence post?
Digging and filling fence posts with concrete can be a long, arduous process and may require at least a few calculations to properly determine the amount of concrete necessary per post, but concrete is only one method that can be used to set a fence post.
How deep should I dig for a fence post?
This can be as much as 36 inches deep, depending on how severe your local winters are. In some places, there are also footer inspections.
Can you put gravel in a fence post?
While many so-called experts suggest putting gravel in the bottom of your fence post holes. This will ultimately only heave your posts you put so much work into. If you see a contractor doing this, it is a major red flag and you should not let them do it.
Do fence posts need to be in concrete?
Do Fence Posts Have to Be Set in Concrete? Setting a fence post in concrete is the best way to make sure your fence stands tall. Many people wonder if their fence posts should be set in concrete, and the answer is always yes. Whether you are going the DIY route or having a professional company install them, fence posts should always be set in ...
Why do fence companies use concrete?
The main reason is the post length of choice for fence companies is often a 4″ x 4″ x 8′. As a result, the fence post is only two feet in the ground on a six-foot in height wood fence. Hence the use of concrete. What they do not realize is if it is the leverage that they desire, then all they need to do is purchase a longer post. After all, a 4″ x 4″ x 10′ is the same cost as 4″ x 4″ x 8′ and a bag of concrete combined.
Does concrete have to be in contact with soil?
Overall, concrete does eliminate direct contact with the soil underground; however, the pressure-treated lumber expands and contracts with moisture. When it does, a 16th-inch gap usually develops between the wood post and the concrete.
Is concrete a hot topic?
ANSWER: Concrete or no Concrete is a hot topic. It doesn’t matter if the fence is in California, North Dakota, Taxes, or New York, their answers revolved around three different factors: (1) Geographical Location, (2) Environmental Conditions, and (3) Leverage Ratios versus External Force. Based on these three factors, ...
Does concrete protect wood posts?
Mix in some oxygen, the moisture from below, the fact that concrete holds a constant temperature and moisture, and those wood posts are going to prematurely rot. No exceptions. Concrete simply does not protect the “Zone.”.
Why is gravel used for fence posts?
This means that the bottom of your fence post will be consistently exposed to water if you don’t get enough drainage. Because large gravel leaves big gaps when packed together, water can run through it efficiently.
How deep should a post hole be for a fence?
Dig the hole for your fence with a post-hole digger. The depth of the hole should be one-third of the total height of the fence.
Why is drainage important for a fence?
Drainage is important because, whether you’re using steel fence posts or wooden fence posts, your fence will be exposed to bad weather conditions, particularly over the winter: wood rots, metal rusts. Andpost support is vital for obvious reasons.
Why is concrete added to wood?
Concrete is added merely to provide stability. If you have to use concrete, you can prevent water by grading it away from the wood as you go further into the ground. When confronted with the variables, just try to stick to the same logic and adjust appropriately.
Can you use gravel up to ground level?
Sometimes, if it’s exceptionally stable and doesn’t shift around easily, people often opt to use gravel up to ground level without any addition of finer gravel or concrete.
Do you need to dig holes for concrete fence posts?
It is also vital that you dig the holes for your fence posts the right size and, if you’re using concrete, that you set your posts correctly – because, if you don’t, you’ll be creating a lot of trouble for yourself in the future . Your fence won’t last very long and will be susceptible to frost heaves.
Can you use gravel for a fence post?
If you’re using a lightweight fence, you can skip the concrete altogether. But you still have to use gravel for proper drainage. Concrete is added merely to provide stability.
