Installing a fence

mustangmike6996

mustangmike6996

Club Member
My surrounding neighbors all have a fence. I'm about to close our yard in. We're planning on the 6'x8' wood privacy panels that are prefabricated. I know I need to dig a certain depth. What advice/input do you guys have?
 
At minimum set the posts below the frost line. Code usually calls for 36" deep however. Make sure you set them in concrete not just dirt so it does not lean over time. If your using the prefab panels for a box store I recommend adding an additional Pressure treated 2x4 as extra support so the panels don't sag over time. Round the top of the concrete so water does not pool and rot the posts over time.
 
Siegel1719 said:
At minimum set the posts below the frost line. Code usually calls for 36" deep however. Make sure you set them in concrete not just dirt so it does not lean over time. If your using the prefab panels for a box store I recommend adding an additional Pressure treated 2x4 as extra support so the panels don't sag over time. Round the top of the concrete so water does not pool and rot the posts over time.
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I wouldnt have thought to round the concrete. Thanks.


I think the city requires at least 38" (or 42"), Ill have to check the permit. They inspect the hole depth then come back and inspect the posts once there are cemented in.
 
Rent an a 2 man auger from the Depo.. Makes the job easier.. I also didn't bother mixing the cement in a wheelbarrow, I just dumped a couple bags of cement in the hole and poured a half bucket of water in and jabbed it with a stick till it was half ass mixed up... Came out perfect
 
dug the holes without an auger, wasnt too bad. Took about 10 minutes per hole. Waiting for the city to come inspect before I can cement posts in and install panels
 
mustangmike6996 said:
dug the holes without an auger, wasnt too bad. Took about 10 minutes per hole. Waiting for the city to come inspect before I can cement posts in and install panels
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And if you really want to make them stay forever... Take a piece of 1/2in 1ft rebar rod and pound them into the hole and let them stick up in the hole about 3-6inches...
 
I wish I had a dollar for every wooden fence panel I put up.
Put up a plastic fence. Wood ones rot out, look like crap in a few years.... have to stain them/power wash.
Plastic ones have zero cracks, look good and will look good in 10 years with no maintenance.... and they are cheap.
If you must use concrete (I just use pea gravel) keep the concrete deep... concrete near the surface is what lifts the posts out of the ground during frost.
 
ReiKo said:
And if you really want to make them stay forever... Take a piece of 1/2in 1ft rebar rod and pound them into the hole and let them stick up in the hole about 3-6inches...
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I might add the rebar.


Detroit Gearbox said:
I wish I had a dollar for every wooden fence panel I put up.
Put up a plastic fence. Wood ones rot out, look like crap in a few years.... have to stain them/power wash.
Plastic ones have zero cracks, look good and will look good in 10 years with no maintenance.... and they are cheap.
If you must use concrete (I just use pea gravel) keep the concrete deep... concrete near the surface is what lifts the posts out of the ground during frost.
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I agree, the wood is a lot of upkeep but the price was much better for the current situation. The posts will be 48" deep and the holes taper out at the bottom to avoid any lift during freezing. Unfortunately I cannot use pea gravel, I have to use concrete per the code.
 
You won't have to worry about post pushing out at 48". I've done a lot of fence and there's been times where I could only get 32" and it never was an issue. When you start putting them In use a lot of strings and take your time and it will be nice and straight. Crooked fence lines drive me insane lol
 
mikesfastss said:
You won't have to worry about post pushing out at 48". I've done a lot of fence and there's been times where I could only get 32" and it never was an issue. When you start putting them In use a lot of strings and take your time and it will be nice and straight. Crooked fence lines drive me insane lol
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I hate poorly installed fences. I will be very particular when lining up the posts.


When I drop the posts and pour concrete, how long should I hold the post while the concrete is cured enough to let go?
 
mustangmike6996 said:
I hate poorly installed fences. I will be very particular when lining up the posts.


When I drop the posts and pour concrete, how long should I hold the post while the concrete is cured enough to let go?
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I usually put some water in the hole first, about 3" and then I pour the bag in and kinda dry pack it then wet it down from the top. It will hold well after 10 minutes or so wet it again and move on. I usually use a 60lb bag on each post.
 
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