A Guide to Fence Post Installation
A fence is only as strong as its posts, whether it’s made of chain link, wood, or vinyl. With many fences, the posts are the sole supports. Therefore, sinking them straight and secure, and bracing them well are critical. Here are some tips on fence post installation that should make your job easier.
Your first step in fence post installation, once you’ve planned out where the posts will go, is to dig a hole at each location that is approximately one third of the length of the post plus six inches. A post hole digger is the most efficient tool for the job, because it takes out just the right amount of soil, with enough remaining for proper support. If you can’t get hold of this piece of equipment, you can use a shovel, but take care that you don’t dig out any more dirt than you have to.
If it’s not possible to dig as deeply as recommended, you can give additional support to the post by using more concrete or gravel, or with additional bracing. If you choose to use more concrete or gravel, you’ll need a somewhat larger hole.
After you’ve prepared the hole, pack down the soil inside it as much as possible. Fill the hole about halfway with water, then let it drain. Watch carefully to see how long it takes to subside. This will give you an idea of the type of soil you have and how loose it is. Rapid draining means loose or sandy earth. This means you need more gravel and/or concrete and a slightly larger, deeper hole to accommodate it.
Something to remember when it comes to fence post installation is that, in most geographic regions, the area around the post will eventually be soaked by rain. Your objective is to make sure the post is set securely enough so that it will hold out against most weather conditions, including strong winds and downpours. Some extra precautions in this phase of building will help you avoid repairs down the road.
The next step in your fence post installation is to fill the bottom of the hole with six inches of concrete or gravel, or both. If using concrete, let it set just to the point where the post can stand straight without any support, but not so that it’s too solid to allow insertion of the post. This can range anywhere from an hour to a few hours depending on the mixture and the weather conditions. The product instructions will give you guidance.
While you’re waiting for the concrete to set, you can take the opportunity to treat the post, if necessary. These days most fence posts are sold already treated, but if it isn’t you need to stain the entire post in order to protect it from moisture. Moisture is the biggest contributor to the deterioration of a wooden fence. However, even metal posts used in a chain link fence need to be treated with a preservative to prevent rusting.
Now place the post in the prepared hole and gently move it around to embed it in the gravel or concrete. If using concrete, this will help to get rid of air bubbles. Use a level to ensure that it’s straight. To make sure it stays straight, you might need to stake the post by tensioning a string around it in three directions.
Allow everything to settle for at least 24 hours. Many people consider fence post installation to be the hardest part of building a residential fence, so you can consider yourself well on your way to a completed fence.
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